The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25

H warriors journeyed from the seat OF
- learning and gTidron turmoil 10 d
foreign field. Each time they re-
turned home without gladdening victory.
albeit but four defeats marked the en-
counters with their natural rivals, Stan
ford. The eighth year a wise man OF the
East came TO their help and under his
pilotage their ship was steered through
the middle course Of success. That same
man is with them again and they think
they cannot lose In this. the ninth ordeal
of arms.
Another wise man OF the East is guiding
the destinies OF the other band Of football
warriors who deck themselves with caTdi-
nal. He also has won fame on the field
OF kicks and pigskns. Back OF him and
his forces is an enthusiastic student body.
ready TO shout at any time. The differ
ence between the point of view OF the
Blue and Gold shOuter and the Cardinal
whooper-up is this in the essence: Stan
ford is satisfied that the possibility OF a
victory is left TO them; California Is al
most insolent in its belief that 10 the Car
dinal will come a bitter and a crushing
defeat.
But few days now remain before the big
annual game which brings the rival col
leges face TO face on the field of football
battle. Those few days are filed with
doubt. misgiving and every kind OF labor
that calls the imagination into play. That
this years game will prove a hard, close
engagement is the opinion OF many.
CALIFORNIA; strength is known 10 the gen
eral football-going public. The teams
strength is neither greater nor less than
II was two weeks ago, when the Olympics
suffered defeat at its hands by a score Of
10. That was the best performance the
Blue and Gold has given this season.
Laboring under heavy difficulties at the
beginning of the season. Chamberlain was
forced TO expend much of the valuable
time, usually {. IN 10 preparatory work.
in the sitting OF material. At this late day
he has his team together. but there Is
some uncertainty in regard 70 three posi-
tions on the team. Due TO the number Of
experiments which were perforce neces-
sary Chamberlain did not have as much
time to organize an eleven as did Coch-
ran and Kelly across the bay. During
the season great shouts OF distress have
come from Stanford. which would lead the
outside public 20 believe that the material
at Ralo Alto was OF the poorest. This is
not the. fact. There is good timber in
sufficient time 10 work IL into shape, the
Cardinal Will send an eleven 10 this city
on Thanksgiving day that will make Call
fornia's much vaunted eleven work 10 the
utmost of their abilities. II they would
carry Off the honors of the day.
Stanford is noted for its recuperative
crippled and in dire physical distress two
weeks before the game. The men went 10
the mountains on crutches. They came
back strong, organized and determined 10
win. The score 30 read California a les
son. What this secret practice in a Sc
cluded place far from the curious will do
seen. At Del Monte the team will be
away from the college and left 10 itself.
Football will be drilled into those eleven
men morning, noon and evening until
In VxrfIf
be attempted by the coaches to evolve
team capable of concentrated action.
The Stanford eleven. which was rolled
down the field last year TO the tune OF
22-O score, was not in good physical con-
dition. The malaria OF Palo Alto was In
the blood Of the men and they were slug
gish, slow and bruised before the game
began. Nothing of this sort exists now.
Under the skillful hands of Trainer Muir
ply the Stanford men are in splendid con-
ditlon. All the players are what might be
called in the pink OF condition. with the
possible exception OF Chester Murphy, the
quarterback and captain of the team. His
he himself calls IT, split slat." This Is
the least of all injuries TO a football play
er. When padded and dressed for action
attack upon the broken bone.
California is not so happy in the matter
of condition. During the week the men OF
single time. Being an organized team in
the beginning of the season the men con-
ditioned rapidly. Cochran noticed recently
that his lightning backs. Hall and Smith
and his fleet Womble couldn't get of their
feet. They had gone stale. Pringle was
playing like a man without spirit or tn
terest. and Whipple was not in any too
good condition. So rest was ordered for
these five men. They were sent out OF
town. told to free their minds from all
football thoughts-in fact. 10 Idle away
their time until they heard from :he
coaches. They have heard now. and 20
day the California team will line up in
Thanksg giving battle array for the last
real hard practice Of the season.
This weeks desultory and unsatisfac-
tory practice OF the California eleven IS
not initiating TO their chances in any
great degree They have played as a team
now for two years. and with the excep-
ton OF quarter and left end no Changes
have been made. But one thing Is certain
II the men are stale when they meet Stan
will happen.
The Thanksgiving game promises to be