Paul Thompson and Stephen Longman lived in a rapidly growing frontier town in the West. They had the name of being reckless boys, and all through their school days had caused more or less trouble to their teachers and classmates. The boys especially disliked Mr. Black, the teacher who had charge of the assembly study room. He was strict in his requirements and very severe in reprimands, and these boys had frequent occasions to feel the force of both. One evening when Mr. Black was scheduled to give a lecture to the school, Stephen said to Paul, “Let’s stiffen up Blackie’s backbone a bit, he’s too limp.” “What d’yer mean?” questioned Paul. “When he gets well to going tonight, you go to one door of the assembly room and yell ‘Fire!’ at the top of your voice and I’ll go to the other and do the same. Let’s see how long he’ll keep his dignity.” The program was carried out to the letter. Suddenly, in the midst of the lecture, rang out the cry, “Fire! Fire!” The frightened students rose in a body and rushed for the door. In vain Mr. Black tried to control their movements. His voice was drowned in the uproar. In the desperate scramble for the doors that followed, many were injured, one or two so seriously as to require hospital treatment. Several others fainted. All were shocked and, of course, the meeting was broken up. It was soon discovered that the whole thing was a joke, but the harm was done. It could not be undone. “There is only one thing more I can do for you, boys,” said the principal, as he talked with them in his office the next day. “Your offense is so serious that it is necessary to turn you over to the courts. I am going to make one more effort to help you, however, in the hope that it may save you from a term in the Reformatory. I have asked the judge to pronounce your sentence, then place you on probation, thus allowing you to finish your school course. Your only alternative is to be given over unreservedly to the courts. Which do you prefer?” “We prefer to stay here. We never meant that all those people should get hurt, Mr. Wells,” said Stephen. “We just thought we’d scare them a little.” “We will go now over to the court house. I have already arranged with Judge Sinclair to meet you there.” Judge Sinclair listened to the boys’ story with great seriousness, and after pointing out to them the legal aspects of their misdemeanor, said, “As a special favor to your principal, with whom I have already conferred, I shall give you one more chance. I have appointed Professor Black your probation officer, with absolute authority over you.