The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22

have any mascot. Ana tncle r.inc''
wouldn't let us have his dog, so Iepoy
said he would give you his "hi'o in'0e.
And IT'S awful good OF him: GAUGE they II
have 10 DO killed II they don't bring luck.
There was another loud burst Of laugh
ter from the crowd. though Tebby's eyes
were swimming suspiciously, and WHY
was swallowing hard 10 get rid or the
big lump that would stick I'm his throat
Then a big. hne-Iooking chap pushed
his way through. shut up, you fellows
he said. turning 10 the ;houghtess, jeer
ing boys. Don't be such idiots hric'
he cried. taking him by the shoulders.
what bricks your brothers are "
course you'n win now. Give me the cage
AID go and brace up your team: time
will be called I'm two minutes. Now bring
on your bulldog" ne shouted. holding the
box high in the air. "Ill bet on Erie >
mascot every time"
Tebbv and Willy looked NJ at their "a
ther-Dada always understood-and the
two faces which a moment before hau
been flushed and qulverinS now orohe
into smiles.
Jack McCroa's word was law 10 the
younger set. and the very boys who had
been laughing the ioudest now crowded
round the excited little chaps. who show
ed off their treasures with eager PRIDE
and whose hearts grew Hight once more
when their father explained that ne
hadn't been In earnest about killing 'ne
mascot. even If IL didn't bring good luck
The second half began. and In the alb
sorbing interest Of the play the white
mice were for time forgotten. The boys
held their father tight. as they Watcheu
with sparkling eyes and heaVing CHESTS
the junior captain as he threw hlnlS'ii
into the game as though his Ire oepen"
ed upon the result.
Yes. II was Eric. their Eric, who rusn-
ed the ball down the field. tackled with
the strength Of young bull, and whose
splendid shoulders broke their way
through tho opposing line for gains OF hNe
and ten and nfteen yards. ,,,
over and over again the cheers TOT mn
ton rang out. and Jack McCrea. turning
10 the proud and happy father. SAID.
Hes playing the game Of his life
All this time the white mice were chas-
ing their tails quite unconscious OF the
part they played I'm forcing the score up
point by point They did not even know
that, instead OF winning the game Tor
Eric, Eric was winning the game Tor
them: that he had carried into that sec
ond half the feeling that he must Show
by action what he had not expressed ia
words-his appreciation Of the trencnu-
Gus sacrifice hts little brothers had been
willing 10 make tor his sake-snd every
time he heard the cheer for Eric and
for Ashton he gritted his teeth and
bucked the centre harder than ever, say
ing 10 himself that ne must win, II he
had 10 break every bone in his body do
ing II.
ono touchdown and goal. and the score
stood eighteen 10 sixteen in Ashton's
favor.
The St Johns boys naturally did not
relish this, and the big bull-terrier prod
ded vclously from behind lifted up his
voice and howled
Lets sic him on Eric's mascot said
a boy 1.-THE crazy little beasts have hoo
dooed us" And. suiting the action TO
the word, he pointed to the cage, now
standing on the ground, and said I'm
low. impressive tone: sic 'em, pup"
There was a short bark, quick rush.
and Eric's mascots might have made their
last revolution. II Jack McCrea with the
presence Of mind which made him so re-
markable a football captain, had not
intercepted the fierce attack and taken
himself what was meant for the mice.
The bull-terrier's teeth fastened them
selves in his hand: but almost at the
same moment Mr., Hilton caught the dog
by the throat and forced his jaws apart
with the other hand. The bull-terrier
turned ferocously upon him, but his mas
ter rushed forward and interfered, drag
ging the enraged and bahad beast back
TO the group Of frightened St. Johns boys
and the little mice returned ioyfully 10
their interrupted pastime, and revolved
dizziy after their tails.
Are You much hurt?" asked Mr.. Hill
ton anxiously, as Jack McCrea tied up
his hand.
NO: he only tore the skin title. But
he's an ugly beast, and would have made
short work of our mascots.'
Dada. won't you thank him for saving
them?' whispered Tebby. 81 don't know
how to say it,"
But Jack didn't need words, the boys
eyes spoke such volumes.
All this time the game was going on
i'm series of long kicks. short PUSHES,
and desperate scrimmages, and as the
ball went up and down the field, now
threatening one goal, now the other, the
homes and fears OF the boys rose and feil
with the tide of fortune, for 1t seemed
"afs body's game" up TO the very last
five minutes.
was the centre.
10 was Asht0n's ball.
"si r. S, 4. H." cried the junior captain.
Now block hard. fellows" And. put
ting his shoulder 10 the mass, he opened
up a broad pathway for the sturdy little
halfback TO go through. But it closed IN
again too quickly, and Jimmy Watson,
finding himself caught, freed his arm by
tremendous effort and passed the ball
back TO Eric IL was a beautiful play.
And now was Eric's chance. Amid
GREATNESS hush, he broke clear away
from the whole St. John rush-line and
tore down the field with the same con-
TEMPT for obstacles which young jun
gle-elephant might feel, and then In
storm OF cheers ne carried the bah De-
hind the goal for a touchdown, ana the
game was won-thrty-two 10 twenty
two.
Jack McCiea stood up on one OF the
benches and led the cheering. Three
more for Captain Hilton he cried and
for the Junior team And then, waving
the frightened little mice violently IN the
air he shouted: Now fellows. once
more rousing cheer Three times three
for Eric's mascot
Tebbv and Willy had never been so eN-
cited In their whole lives, and again ana
again, their faces crimson from the eNeI-
TAA u.sr