Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-07-10
EDWARD Blake: COLLEGE Student.
CHARLES M. SHELDON.
Copyright, 1899, In o. S. A., by Advance Pub
fishing Co.. Chicago.
CONTINUED. J

LA. (CoNT1NUED.)
When college opened again in the
fall, Edward had fairly recovered. al
though he was still weak and wholly
unable to go ON the football team.
This was, a great disappointment to
him. because matters were getting into
oetttss shape from an athletic point of
view, and he was, in spite of all draw
backs, a great lover of the sport, and
had planned to enter into it under new
conditions.
His enforced withdrawal from the
football practice and play started his
mind in another direction, and he be-
gan to ask himself If there was not
some plan Of general athletic training
that would include practically the
whole college.
The president stopped one day as
he was passing through the hall and
had little chit with Edward. That
was a few days after the fall term
opened, and Edward was feeling rath-
er blue over the prospect and still
somewhat depressed owing to his phys
ical weakness.
"Well you're getting on all right,
Blake, now? Sorry l was away all
summer. You had a severe illness?"
Eyes, sir. I'm getting on as fast as
I could expect l am not able to do
much in athletics this year."
TELL you what, Blake. There is a
chance for some good, honest work to
be done along the line of general re-
v1val of athletics for the average STU
dent. Now, football does not engage
more than two dozen men for a small
part Of the year, and they are the rug
gedest, stockiest men Of all. Baseball
takes a few more. perhaps, but after
we have counted out the football and
baseball men the great majority Of the
students have no regular incentive to
do average athletic work. Why can't
you and a few others in the Junior class
organize something to give the whole
college an interest in physical sports?
Arrange field day and get every man
In college to take some part. Have foot
races and jumping and pole vaulting
and things that any average man can
enter into with some enthusiasm. What
the college needs is a general shaking
up on athletics. The average student
who cannot play either football or base
ball has got into the habit of simply
looking on at those who do play, and
consequently he is not developing his
own physical powers as he ought"
I'LL think of it. sir" replied Edward,
with some interest. And as the term
went on he became more interested,
and finally, with the help Of other
members Of the association, he actual
~ organized a plan Of athletics that
fitted the needs of the average student
rather than the capacities Of the semi
professional athlete. The whole plan,
as it worked out, was relief to his
own personal disappointment in the
matter of football and worked excel
lent results for the student body.
Meanwhile he was anticipating Will
lis return with some uneasiness. Dur
ing the summer he had been at home
with his mother. Her prediction con-
corning the loss of Willis arm had
come true, and he was wearing an
empty sleeve. The arm had been
amputated on board the hospital ship
His illness had kept him in San Fran
cisco awhile, and from there his mother
had written Edward. 1t was one Of
several other letters written during the
summer that Edward had not been able
to answer on account Of his own ILL.,
ness.
willis fully plans to come back to
college next fall" Mrs. Preston wrote,
''and, of course, I cannot bear to think
of his going in with any one else to
room. Your influence over him has al
ways been good. There Is no telling
what you can do for him. l am sure
you will do your best. The army life
has not helped Willis any. II any
thing, he Is more reckless than ever.
OF course he has lost whole year out
Of college and will have to drop out of
his old class, for he can never make up
the studies. Help him all you can. and
l will not cease to pray for you"
Edward read the letter gravely. and,
to tell the truth, he was rather sorry
that Willis was coming back, not so
much on Freeda's account as on his
own. He had come to have a liking
for room all by himself. The thought
of sharing it with some one else was
distasteful to him. He could not for
get Willis generosity, however, and
Mrs. Preston's appeal touched him
closely. So, on the whole, he was
ready to welcome Willis and do his
best with him.
he appeared just three weeks after
the fall term opened There was quite
a celebration at the college when be
returned. Barnes, who had been
wounded in the foot in the battle when
Willis was hit by the knife, also re-
entered college the same week. There
was a bonfire on the campus and
speeches all around, and the day wound
up with a banquet by the society mer
In the rooms down town. Willis re
turned from this festive occasion quite
sober, somewhat to Edwards surprise
but very much to his relief. 1t was
very late, but he was sitting up ant
waiting for him. In the general ex
.citement of the college celebration thu
two had hardly had time to exchang'
many words.
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