Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-05-31
A GREEN MOUNTAIN
BOYS CLUB.

Dome TWO years ago, I'D niiVlnS
town in Vermont, party of boys,
whose ages ranged from ten to tif-
teen, decided to form themselves into
an athletic club, which, after some
elaboration, they styled the "Star
Athletic Club" Their meetings were
held in private bowling alley kind
ly placed at their service, and when
a president, two vice-presidents, a
treasurer and secretary had been
elected, the club felt that it was fair
ly on its feet.
SO far their course had been easy
enough, and were that all, the VEN
ture of these Green Mountain boys
would have had no mention here but
that was not all. Before they could
begin to practice the sports for which
they had banded together it was nee
essary to have ''ground," and when
sufficient quantity of land had been
lent them, it was still necessary to
do considerable work before the land
was converted into a 'ground.'
One part of the field was kept we'll
moved for use as running path an
other part, square of twelve feet,
was dug up and thoroughly loosened,
the clods broken up, and the stones
removed, for jumping place, a path
fifty feet long and two feet wide be-
ing made to lead up to it.
Every afternoon the boys assem-
bled regularly for practice, and after
few weeks the friends of the men,
| bers were invited to witness the open
ing games of the Star Athletic
Club. The events" were numer-
ous-fat and hurdle races, high jump,
broad jump, pole-vaulting, and put
ting the shot-and the prizes were
silver medals, the value of which
may be computed when it is stated
that they were made from silver quar-
tiers, one side of which had been pol
ished and engraved with the initials
of the club, IS. A. c." This was
real praiseworthy economy, and not
''stinginess", for the funds were low,
and the boys did not propose to wreck
their excellent institution by running
into debt at the start.
The following summur, having in
the mean time been coached" by a
member of the New York Athletic
Club, the ''Star" boys held their Sec
ond annual games, the medals being
of greater value this time, though
they could not have been worn with
greater pride than the polished quar-
tiers.
When the winter came on, and they
could no longer practice field ath
letics, the boys set to work to con
struct skating pond. A generous
friend lent them field through which
ran a small stream, and with the per
mission of the owner the boys sool
constructed a dam which turned par
of the field into pond, so that whel
a cold snap came there was capita
sheet of clear ice. In addition t,
the pond, the boys built a house
which was heated by stove for tn
benefit of the patrons of the skatin,
pond. Season tickets were issued t
, boys at seventy-fve cents and t
girls at fifty cents, and everythin
was going on we'll, until one day tn
! dam gave way, and in few hour
, the pond had vanished. This wa
4 discouraging, but Green MouDtai
8 boys of o-day, like those of history
are not easily beaten, and the daI
= was soon reconstructed.
L The Star Athletic Club is now CT
0 terlng upon its third season, with
0 large and united membership, cor
siderable money balance on the cred
side of the reasurer's account, an
D., undated enthusiasm. The success
of this club should encourage otht
" bows to follow their example. An
depend upon it that when a club
entirely self-reliant, as these Gree
Mountain boys were, preparing IL
l. ground for its sports, making its oW
tennis nets and poles, building i
v canoes, or what not, it is establish
!, ing itself on a much firmer foundi
Il ton than if 1t depended altogetht
q upon the contributions of paren
h and friends to defray its necessa
,e expenses.-Harper's Young People