The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-11-20

Il tell you it is 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 fumbling and
give signals 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 Thanksgiving 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 Char
lie. Every infant that could manage ii
in our little town has the diphtheria OF
whooping cough or something, and those
that are not sick are trying their best to
catch it, and my father is the only doctor
in the place. 1t is out of the question
for him to leave, and we have never yet
failed to be together on Thanksgiving
Day. You see, there are only We two
left" The door opened, and n tall.
sturdy fellow entered just in time to hear
the last words. 1t was the Captain of
the team. He took seat on the edge of
the narrow bed and eyed Charlie stern
ly. whats this hear" he said. "about
your not playing in the game with Mill
vile on Thanksgiving DayY"
Il have to go home to spend Thanks
giving, 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 always
by the skin of our teeth. Now, we haven't
a chance this year without you. and you
know il. Black is a good little sub. hut
he can't be depended 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"
II must go. Dick" cried Charlie in de-
spair. Dad would never forgive me if
! did not"
But how about my sister, your opp"
She has counted upon your taking her to
the game and then seeing you do all
sorts of things to Millville, making forty
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
a week." groaned Charlie, but / can't
help it. l shall have to tell her at sup
per tonight"
"Well, in that case We can't rank you
as one of the varsity" said the Cap
tain, rising. You 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 n
co-educational institute. and the schol-
ars 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 tables. and the owner of
that particular pair of bright eyes smii-
ing at one from across the table was
known as my OPP" n more or less affec-
tionate abbreviation for opposite" Char
ley sat at the training table. where. of
course. no girls were allowed. but before
he had been elevated to this much coveted
the Captains sister. and the prettiest girl
in the school. Charles place. opposite
hers, was still vacant, and he slid into ii
at supper that night and remained there
in conversation with her until the meal
was served, when he went to his place
at the training table with the rest. She
had not grown angry and scoffed at his
resolution like his chum, or tried TO ar
que him out of his intention, as did her
brother. but quite agreed that he must
go to his father. although she let him
see that she should be greatly disappoint
ed by his absence.
Charlie started upon his homeward
journey in very unsettled state of mind.
He felt that the entire school considered
him deserter and if they lost-well. he
would be blamed for the stigma of de-
feat. How hard he had worked for his
place on the varsity and how proud he
had been of 1.-THE only freshman quar-
ter that had ever played on Valley
School Then, how the team had re-
sponded when he had given the signals,
always like clockwork, with a smooth
ness and precision that got the ball in |
play - rapidly and behind such perfect