El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-05

y
figure blue eyes. and auburn hair also
made her a pretty and attractive young
lady. She was considered almost
new woman She was herself an
athlete and liked nothing. admired
nothing, loved nothing so well as foot
ball. and it was always said that her
husband must be star player Golf
had no fascination for her. Basket
ball she detested. She worked in the
gymnasium simply to develop her
body and at that she succeeded Won
derfully.
The E team regarded her as their
patron saint She was always 10 be
seen al the practice urging the players
TO more strenuous efforts. and always
attended every game encouraging the
boys TO do their best. Gertrude Show
ers was indeed curious young lady.
II was we'll known in E. that
Hallam was in love with Miss Showers.
But what show had he? A mere boy.
small in stature. and some even said
that he was too lazy to play football
even If he could. None whatever, so
the critics decided. Why his fore
most rival was Wilson. the big left
tackle on the NJ team and one of
the best football players the country
had ever known. Besides Hallam was
a homely boy with apparently no am
bition only to win Miss Showers while
Wilson. broad-shouldered. with his
fine face and siX-foot-two, was hand
some. all around athlete full OF am
bition and sure to succeed in whatever
he went into.
One evening shortly after Christmes
the coach manager. captain and sew
eral of the star players OF the E
team held a meeting in the managers
room. They discussed plans for the
approaching championship game
he
the E and NJ teams as well as
the championship of the whole south
west The game was billed for New
Years day. and was to be played on
neutral grounds at l. "Oh, Say,
said the captain as the meeting was
about to close. Il have selected Hall
man to take Mitchell's place at left end
IN the M game. He is the only
substitute on the list who can any
ways near fill the place and we must
win this game
What, Hallman?" said the ponder
Gus center. Why he is nothing but
dwarf l thought that we were going
to depend mostly on our weight to
win the game for us.
You thought wrong. swift run
ner is just what we need. / suppose
you will admit that Hallman can fill
the bill in that respect. and / believe
that if given fair trial he will prove
that he can also make some fine tack
les You know we have never given
him a chance to show what he could
do in a game" remarked the coach.
Yes. Hallman is a Splinter" ack-
nowIedged the center. But | am afraid
you are placing your hopes too high
when you say he will be tackler.
He hasn't got the nerve to leave his
feet for man
We'll, We will give him trial.
said the manager. Thus the matter
was decided.
Hallman heard of his appointment
with evident pleasure. which was
strange. for he had never taken much
interest in football although fairly
good player. But he seemed trans
formed. An unnatural light burned
in his eyes. He had formed plan,
had determined on a course of action.
He u / d succeed.
He was out to every practice before
the big game and played with will.
Always ready for instruction from his
superiors and always doing his best.
I believe we have star in Hall
man said the coach to the manager
the night before the big game.
New Years day arrived at last. The
sun shone brightly although the air
was crisp and cold. 1t was just the
day for football. Both teams arrived
early in the morning with special
train of rooters- All were in fine
spirits Both teams were confident
and thousands of dollars were up at
even money.
Much to Hallman's disappointment.
Wilson was almost constantly with
Miss Showers. What was worse she
seemed to enjoy his company. But the
fire in his eye only burned the bright
er. the determination only grew
stronger
BY three o'clock the grand stand
was filed to its utmost capacity. The
bleachers were overlooked 1t was es-
timated that $4,000 people were inside
the enclosure.
At three fifteen the two captains
tossed up. NJ. won the toss and chose
the north goal having the wind to
their backs. The referee blew his
whistle and the game was on. John
son kicked off for E. to the ten yard
line when Captain Thompson was
downed in his tracks by Hallman. NJ.
tried the line but found it solid. Next
they tried to skirt the left end but
Hallman brought the mighty captain
down with no gain NJ. was forced to
punt and the ball was in Els possess
ION in the middle of the field. The
heavy line made great holes for the
backs and they gained almost at will.
The battle was raging fast and furious
up and down the field The Ms led by
their seemingly indomitable captain,
tried 90 encompass or at least check
their heavy opponents but all in vain.
Slowly but surely. inch by inch, yard
by yard. they were forced towards
their own goal.
The twenty-five yard line was soon
reached. when suddenly there was
halt. BY a tumble the Ms secured the
bail and themselves began to go down