The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-04-10
CHAPTER v.
THE FIRST TRIUMPH.

The arguments by which Lawrence
Bangs was induced to yield to his
brothers wishes are not essential to
this narrative. 1t is enough that the
reader Should know that the famous
young man was in reality one-tenth
himself and nine-tenths Paddy O'Tool.
Neither is it important to explain here
the machinery by which the trick was
played. 1t was very simple. Harry
Bangs rented house in New Haven,
and Lawrence and Paddy lived there
with him. There was no other occu-
pant except an old woman who acted
as housekeeper. Lawrence was visible
during the earlier, hours of the day. AT
the close Of the recitations he went
home, and ceased to exist. Paddy took
his place. One of them was always in
the house, hidden from mortal view,
while the otxer played the part of
student or athlete in the college world.
These details may he passed over
with mere mention, but there is one
point which needs a serious considera-
ton. 1t may be that to the reader
this scheme of dual personality will
appear Objectionable on the ground
taken by Lawrence Bangs at first,
namely, that it is not honest. If such
is his view, he must remember that
this is an isolated case. 1t is absolutely
exceptional, and has no bearing upon
the question of the purity of college
athletics. There is, in reality, no such
question at all. If there is anything
in mems later dealings with one an
other which is so honest, pure and
manly as college sport, it has cleVerly
eluded the writer's observation. II
there is any tendency to take an un-
fair advantage, it does not come from
the boys themselves, but from men
who, since leaving college, have ar
rived at business principles by 2
process which is very properly called
s'coming down." And even business
principles and the recognition Of the
fact that a victorious team of athletes
is good advertisement, have been sue
cessfully withstood thus far by the
native honesty of American youth.
The case of Lawrence Bangs is an in
stance of misdirected enthusiasm which
will sometimes work mischief in the
best regulated societies. It is valuable
only as an illustration of the relative
popularity of the student and the ath-
lete. A recognition of this fact dawned
upon Lawrence very early in the game
He resolved to make his name so il
lustrious by scholastic attainments
that the work of Paddy O'Toole would
pale in comparison.
He had several months start. Harry
Bangs had decided not to allow Paddy
to be candidate for the football team.
Paddy's public appearances during the
first three months were limited to a
few visits to the gymnasium. Harry
accompanied him on such occasions pn=
til he became familiar with the build
ing. The deception was perfect. 1t
never occurred to anybody to doubt
the identity of the athlete and the stu
dent.
Meanwhile Lawrence burned the
midnight oil as he had never done be-
fore. He had sworn to make his name
known, and he succeeded. In q month
it was the talk of the college that the
brother of the famous Harry Bangs was
a long haired grind.
This is term of reproach, and yet it
carries no bitterness. There is no
other place on earth where the indiyid=
ual rights of man are so perfectly rec
ognized as they are in tirst-rate Ameri-
can college. One may do as. he likes
there. And yet it is a fact. that a
young man who spends fourteen hours
a day in hard study has not much time
for making friends. Fellows who
called upon him at first found him al
ways knee deep in Greek or Latin, and
they ceased to come because they dis
liked to disturb him.
During this time Paddy was being
subjected to an educational discipline
which was equally severe, though the
curriculum was limited. He was being
taught to say q few words in voice
which would not suggest the South
Cove of Boston to anybody who had
ever visited that locality. The natural
tone of his voice was, happily, quite
similar TO LaYrepce.a, but his yocabu.