204 Old Bays on the Farm 



be called up for lessons to the front of the school, 

 and were arranged, or placed, according to merit. 

 The head of the class was known as Number One 

 and it was customary for the class to ''number 

 off" after each lesson. There was keen rivalry, 

 of course, as to who could gain and maintain the 

 place of honour. 



KEPT HIS TOE IN A KNOT-HOLE 



They tell a story about a boy who persistently 

 stood at the head of the class despite all efforts 

 to dislodge him. The school floor was of rough 

 lumber and had numerous knot-holes in it. It was 

 noticed by a rival that this boy always stuck his 

 big toe into a knot-hole in the floor, where he stood 

 and held the fort against all comers. That knot- 

 hole had become a habit with him. With his toe 

 in that hole he could solve knotty problems and 

 spell with ease all the large and difficult words 

 thrown in his direction. His envious rival stole 

 into the school-house one dark night and ham- 

 mered a piece of wood into the knot-hole and 

 looked for results next day. They came. When 

 the class was called that steering-by-the-knot-hole 

 student got mixed. He couldn't get his toe into 

 the accustomed place and thus refresh his memory 

 and the tow-headed scamp who had plugged the 

 hole displaced him. 



