Our readers will recall that Mr.Cantwell had succeeded the former principal, Dr.Thornton, whom the boys had almost idolized, and that much of Mr.Cantwell's trouble was due to his ungovernable temper.
During the first two years of High School life, Dick & Co.

had become increasingly popular.

True, since these six chums were all the sons of families in very moderate circumstances, Dick & Co.

had been disliked by some of the little groups of students who came from wealthier families, and who believed that High School life should be rather governed by a select few representing the move "aristocratic" families of the little city.
Good-humored avoidance is excellent treatment to accord a snob, and this, as far as possible, had been the plan of Dick & Co.
and of the other average boy at the High School.
"Let us see," broke in Dick, suddenly, "who are the soreheads in the football line ?" "Well, Davis and Cassleigh, of the senior class, for two," replied Dave Darrin.
"Dodge, Fremont and Bayliss, also first classmen," suggested Reade.
"Trenholm and Grayson, also seniors," brought in Greg Holmes.
"Then there are Porter, Drayne and Whitney," added Dave.

"They're of this year's Juniors." "And Hudson and Paulson, also of our junior class," nodded Harry Hazelton.
Dick Prescott had rapidly written down the names.