The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-20

The ancient and honorable game of
root bah is an Institution remarkable
in many ways. 1t has been The cause
OF many SORROWS, many joys and many
extraordinary happenings. II has fur
nished bountiful food for thought ana
discussion to timid old gentlemen who
warm themselves by the fire ON brisk
October days, nor has it put u stop TO
1his benilicent practice with ihe recur-
ring years. 1t has brought death TO IL
few. and injuries, more on less serioLs
to thousands; it has made men out of
an untold number. And foot ball it
was that established in business the
widely known and prosperous firm
name of "Copeland Il Rice Bankers
and Brokers'
- -
Born To luxury and reared in the
midst OF wealth. Rice came 10 college
rom home of happiness: Copeland,
in all his life, had known naught but
poverty. y tall, well favored Young
fellow was Rice, ana broad of shoul-
der: and pleasant way OF speaking
to fellow, together with Il generous
use OF money. quickly won him popu-
larity. But Copeland, handicapped as
he was by Very homely, albeit very
honest countcnance. ana by I manner
cold rather than engaging. not tn men,
lion lack of money. did not become
Immediately popular.
About a week after the opening of
college there came the usual call for
foot ball candidates. Now if there was
one thing more than another. that Rice
had in view when he entered COLLEGE,
that thing was to play foot ball SO
recalling with pride his record ON his
Prep. team, he stopped studies and the
theater and went out on the iield in n
foot ball suit. determined that he
would rest content with nothing short
of ii place on the Varsity.
Copeland had come 10 college to
study. He had never played foot ban
all his battles had been fought
against poverty. And probably he
never would have played foor ball, had
not his gigantic muscular frame caught
the eye ofL.odge, the Varsity captain.
That man ought To be II foot ball
player thought Lodge; "Ill call on
him tonight"
And so he did. He found Copeland
sunk deep in an arm chair several sizes
too small for him his long legs crossed
and his head almost buried between
mis- broad shoulders. He was reading
Demosthcnes. evidently with great dif-
1icully but with mtring perseverance.
\ brief word of greeting and self
Introduction, and Lodge with that on-
"rgE that always marked his playing,
had plunged into the midst of an earn
est appeal to Copeland to come out
ana try ion the team Whether II VAS
IN" eloquenCc of Lodge, or . sense Of
loyalty To college, or un inward long
Ing for glory In contests in nmlsclc and
spirit that brought it about | do not
know, but when the captain said,
"Copeland, will you be on thc field to-
morrow" Copeland, after thinking n
long while, with half-closed eyes, am
swered, Yes"
SO the next day Copeland appeared
on the field in armor the center of all
eyes ana the subject Of many IA critical
remark by the undergraduates. He
was pitted against Rice. who mad now
begun to be recognized as somethiuy
of player. And this Is how a sopho-
more describes it,
copeland! Why man, he's II slqr.
Rice isn't in the same class with him.
You should have seen him make holes
I'm the Varsity line. 1t was the best
thing in the practice, That man will
be at left guard on the Varsity before
long; just see if he won't"
That night when Copeland settled
down in his arm chair, he remarked i'm
his slow, thoughtful way; 'Now that
is sport; IA fellow can study after exar-
else like that"
But Rice was gloomy that night.
fearful of losing his place on the Var
sity
His fears We're soon to be real2.d a.
l,Fhe third day that Copeland appeared
pm the field he was called into the VAR
lity squad. Rice went With the
scrubs"
A practice game between The two
(ams followed as usual; and in the
fectory, later on. there We're strange
(ries going the rounds of how Ger
IN guard who had been taken our of
Varsity had engaged in slug
ng' tactics With certain other
Pard who had been put in his place.