The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-18
HOW THE
CHRISTMAS GAME
WAS WON.

w Az SAGbA 1OWA HISL yCdl
at the Valley prep" school
and he had made the varsity!
This is a most unusual thing
for freshman to do, for most Of
them are away below the average OF
strength and weight necessary to the
Zine" and backs" who, as a ;ale,
are two or three years older, and that
at period of growth when two OF
three years permits wonderful in.
crease in bone, sinew ana solid mus
Gle. Still, by virtue of his catlike &C
tivity and phenomenal sprinting abili-
ties, Charlie was fixture at the all
important position of quarter back.
He was envied by his classmen, less
fortunate; his companionship sought
by the seniors, and-oh! supreme pin
nacle of joy-he was praised by the
coach! Still he was not happy.
| II tell you it is a perfect shame"
growled Barnes. Here you are the
only freshman who has ever made
quarter on our varsity, and now, just
as we are to have the hardest game
of the season on our hands, and not
another fellow who can pass the ball
without mixing them, you want to go
off home and eat turkey with your
father! Where do you think we
come in, anyway"
Dad couldn't eat Christmas din
ner without me-" said Charlie.
Then why don't he come up here
and eat it," snarled the now angry
Barnes. Il guess he can put up with
the sort of fare that the rest OF us
will chew, can't he?"
There's an epidemic" explained
Charlie. Every infant that could
manage it in our little town has the
diphtheria or whooping cough, or
something, and those that are not
sick yet are trying their best to catch
it, and my father is the only doctor
in the place. It is out Of the ques-
ton for him to leave. and we have
never yet failed to be together on
Christmas day. You see, there are
only We two left" The door opened,
and tall, sturdy fellow entered Just
in time to hear the last words. It
hn aon foin of ko
took seat on the edge of the mar
row bed and eyed Charlie sternly.
Whats this hear" he said, about
your not playing in the game with
| Millville on Christmas day."
Il have to go home to spend Christ.
mas, that's ALL answered Charlie.
| Barnes has told me how you feel
| about it," continued the captain, but
see here, Town, we have beaten Mill.
vile four years straight, although al
ways by the skin of our teeth. Now,
we haven't chance this year with
out you. and you know 1t. Black is
good little sub, but he can't be de-
pended upon to handle the men in a
| big game like this. Andrews can't
pass the ball without fumbling to
save his life, and you are the only
quarter We can possibly play and
win. You won't desert us just now,
when We have not been defeated this
season, right here in the face of the
very hardest game of all. will your"
! Il must go. Dick" cried Charlie in
| despair. Dad would never forgive
ME if I did not"
But how about my sister, your
opp? She has counted upon your
taking her to the game AMI then see-
ing you do all sorts of things to Mill
vile. making 40 yard runs around the
end and goals from the field, you
know. Have you thought about that ?"
Il haven't thought of anything else
for week." groaned Charlie, hut l
can't help it. shall have to tell
her at supper tonight"
We'll, in that case we can't rank
you as one of the varsity" said the
captain rising. 1T will have to 20
on the playing lists as substitute,
that's ALL" and he went out closing
the door not too gently behind him.
The Valley Preparatory school was
a co-educational institute. and the
scholars Of both sexes only met at
classes and at the long tables in the
dining room. The boys and girls were
seated on opposite sides OF these ta-
bles. and the owner of that particu.
lar pair OF bright eyes smiling at one
from across the table was known as
my opp" a more or less affectionate
abbreviation for opposite" Charlie
sat at the training table. where, Of
course. no girls were allowed, but
before he had been elevated to this
much coveted position he had for his
opp Mile Barr. the captains sis.
ter. and the prettiest girl in the
school, Charles place. opposite
her. was still vacant. and he slid in.
to it at supper that night and remain.
eh there in conversation with her I'M.
til the meal was served. when he
went to his place at the training ia.