The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-01-26

dropped lightly on top Of him aud lay
there motionless. while the two trains
Numbered past on each side of them
and the crowd stood waiting spell.
bound.
In much less time than IL takes to
describe the episode, it was over, and
what might have been tragedy had
proved only q bit OF melodrama after
all; yet as Roger jumped up and
pulled the old man onto his feet. ap-
plause aud che ers louder than any that
had greeted him Oh the football field
rang in his ears.
Abashed and quite overwhelmed by
such an ovation, Roger made haste to
elbow his way through the crowd, and
in so doing nearly overthrow his own
brother Fred. who happened to ba
standing directly in his path.
For heavens sake, was that you.
Roger?'' he cried, confronting him in
establishment.
do let me get out of this" his
brother responded impatiently; "they
needn't make such fuss because
knocked the old duffer over and he
bolted in the direction of the gym
nasium.
Saturday nights generally brought
the scattered members of the Bartlett
family together. as the collegians al
ways made point of coming home to
spend Sunday under the parental roof
tree.
On this particular Sunday evening
all were assem- bled before Roger came
In. Fred was oil agog to describe the
scene that he had witnessed, but he
unselfshly held his tongue. ''l'll not
spoil his story for him, but will give
him q chance to do justice to it, he
mentally CIRCULATED, as he watched his
brother swallowing his soup with I'M
ruffied composure.
vital subject, and Fred looked at him
with increasing surprise as he judi
cially set forth the respe ctive merits Of
the opposing football team, and called
attention to their most vulnerable
points.
IN turn In early tonight, think"
lie yewned. as he withdrew from the
dining room. II put pretty solid
work into the last half OF that game"
and he leisurely wcnded his way up.
stairs.
81 wish that Roger would put little
solid work into something else" his
father volunteered, as he disappeared
At this. Fred. who had in times past
repeatedly scoffed at his fathers attn
letic proclivities, instantly fired up.
Father" he burst forth, you're
making big mistake about Roger.
He's got more genuine stuff in him than
it's football that's done it, the sooner
that we all go ia for the game the bet
ter;'' and he then proceeded to give
graphic account OF the afternoons ex-
pericnce, which caused his father to
blow his nose loudly and repeated.H.
while his eyes glistened with happy
pride, and which sent his mother weep
ing in search of the sleepy athlete, who
couldn't understand what he had done
that was worth making such fuss
about.
A few days later Mr. Bartlett re-
cei~ed a note from his old friend. Will
kinson Smalley, which ran somewhat
rs follows:
going in for tho la W. and II SO I want him.
When he gets through with the law school you
terial that I'm on the lookout for and you may
we'll be proud OF him.
"fIe scared me out OF years growth the
other afternoon st the station. the young -as-
cal, but in spite OF that. wish you would tell
him TO come round and take dinner with 1ns
some night, for I want to talk to him.
with kind regards to Mrs. Bartlett. believe
"WILHISsoS SMAILEY."
When Roger cam. home the follow
ing Saturday his father handed him
the note, remarl<ing: "I'm afraid !
haven't appreciate your foot ball, cid
man, but I'm going to do better in fu-
ture; and. by the way, Roger, I hear
that you're to play in the game at
Springfield next week; is that so?''
Roger nodded.
VERY well, then; Mr.. Bartlett con.
tinued, ''your mother and would like
to have you get us the best seats that
can be bought, for we've set gu. hearts
upon going to see you make the first
touchdown. ''-Boston Ira nsccipt.