Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-11-20
THE QUARTER BACK.

with the team in its present state-Fred
sick with fever, Phil called away by
illness in his family, and now George
has sprained ankle-and the game to
be played within week. I tell you,
boys, it's awfulr' And the captain of
the Fairfield academy football team
gazed ruefully about him.
The practice game was just over, and
the boys had gathered in little group
on the edge of the field for few mo-
ments to talk over the game with the
Hazen institute
1t was late in the fall, but the day
was remarkably mild, SO the boys did
not think it necessary to hurry to their
dressing rooms. They were fine look
ing lot Of fellows, even in their ungain-
ly football dress, with its heavy pad
ding. The finest looking of them all
was the captain, tall and large for his
years, and we'll proportioned.
''We must win the game this year, !"
he went on. cit is particularly impor-
tant because of our defeat last year. I
don't see how we are going to do it,
though, with our best men away and no
substitutes to speak Of -
The word ''substitute' seemed sud-
denly to direct the attention of the
group to small fellow who stood lit
tie apart from them, though he was
near enough to hear what they said.
His suit looked new compared with the
we'll worn, soiled and stained garments
of his companions, showing at once that
he was a beginner. Besides this he was
remarkably small-so small that he
seemed out of place on the football
field.
Looking closer, one could see sharp,
nervous, resolute face that denoted pow
er, we'll knit muscles and wiry build.
There was silence for few moments,
then the small figure suddenly spoke:
81 wish," he said to the captain,
"you could try me in the game. am
sure I would do well''
If bomb had exploded in the field,
the boys could not have shown more
surprise.
''Try you i'll gamer" the captain re-
peated, as if he could not believe his
ears "Why, we should lose you in the
first scrimmage.' -
The group of fellows laughed deri-
sively. A dusky flush mounted to John
Ahl's face, but he said nothing He had
been treated with this good natured
contempt from the first day he put on
his football suit to practice with them.
He had great ambition to be foot
ball player, and with this end in view
he practiced constantly, being in the
field at every opportunity. He had al
ways admired the captain, and had
wished for the chance to take part in a
game under him, but he had always
played On the scrub team, and had lit
tie chance to distinguish himself, being
surrounded by poor players who helped
him make bad plays, but did little to
aid him in making good ones.
''Play on the team!' exclaimed Joe
Anderson, tall, stalwart fellow, whose
position was at right guard, and who
would have been a remarkable player
had he practiced properly. "Why, il you
did, some one would mistake you for
the ball and carry you across the line
and make a touchdown with you. I tell
you what you can do-carry the ball for
us on and off the field. We will let you
begin at once. Bring it in with you
when you come. - And with shout of
derisive laughter Anderson started for
the dressing rooms, followed by the 9TH
ers, leaving John Ahl and the football
sole occupants of the field.
For moment or two John stood
there, his heart heavy as lead. the words
of his comrades burning in his ears. A
great sadness came over him as he real
lied how insignificant he was and with
what contempt he was treated. The
school buildings never looked more
massive in the gathering twilight, the
background never looked larger, and
his chances as a player never more hope
less.
He stood but moment or two, how
ever. The resolute look soon came back
to his face. He stopped and picked up
the ball. Then, instead OF carrying it
toward the buildings he rolled it slow
ly along the ground, leaping after it
and falling upon it, then clasping it
closely to his breast. Again and again
he did this, now rolling the ball slow.
ly, now swiftly.
As it grew later some of the boys
happened TO look out in the direction of
the field.
'What is that?' the captain said as
small figure like shadow in the gloom
would suddenly appear and disappear,
rise and descend, vanish and return.
"Oh, that" said Joe Anderson, with
g laugh, "is the substitute trying to
kill time Or himself by falling on the
ball."
1t was late when John Ahl, weary
and bedraggled, carrying the ball close
under one arm, and with the stern, re-
solute look still upon his face, entered
the school buildings, and the field was
at last deserted.
\ \
The much talked of event Of the year,
the football game between the Fairfield
academy and the Hazen institute, was
about to be played. The grand stand
was q maze of color, and an immense
crowd of spectators surrounded the field
on all sides. The delegations from the
rival schools were cheering themselves
hoarse The day was a perfect one-the
sky cloudless, the air crisp and cool.
A wild shout came from the HaZen
institute boys as their team began kick
ing and falling on the ball. Then an
other and greater shout went up as the