[Sidenote: Displaying Wit]
In the Elkton High School many factors contributed to make Charles
Drover a favorite. He was an athletic star, he was from a popular
family, but above all he was a wit of considerable merit. His witticisms
always secured a hearing. His temptation to whisper was very great.
Remarks of general import, no matter how serious, usually ended by
giving those around Charles much to do to refrain from laughing aloud.
Mr. Hodge, the high school Principal, was annoyed past endurance. One
morning after a brief talk on a coming lecture, Laura, a neighbor to
Charles, smiled broadly. Mr. Hodge said, “Laura, pass into my office.”
She went at once. After the classes had passed, Mr. Hodge went to his
office and frowningly explained to Laura how much her constant levity
annoyed him and demanded that she bring in extra school work as
punishment, and further said that if she still persisted in treating all
remarks made from the platform with so much unconcern he would see to it
that no position of trust be given her in high school affairs.
The week passed and the day of the lecture arrived. Laura was to be one
of the ushers that night. Mr. Hodge was giving some final directions
concerning the arrangements for the evening when Laura giggled.
Instantly Mr. Hodge announced that some one else must be appointed in
Laura’s place as usher and that she bring in the translation of twenty
extra lines of Caesar the following day. This was the beginning of a
strong opposition to Mr. Hodge which culminated in his being asked to
resign at the end of the year.