The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-11-21
A THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL STORY


que him out of his intention, as did her
brother, but quite agreed that he must
go to his father, although she let blni
see that she should be greatly disappoint-
ed by his absence.
Charlie started upon his hOmewnrd
journey in very unsettled state of mind.
He felt that the entire school considered
him a 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 so rapidly and behind such perfect
interference that the unbroken list Of vic
tories was, after all, result to be ex-
pected. And now to have that list mar
red by a defeat, and at the hands of Mill
vile, their keenest rival His muscles
frightened at the thought of the grim
pleasure of the struggle. No, Black could
not handle the team. He had never
grasped the signals as he should and he
lacked confidence He could not pass the
ball with the necessary accuracy, either,
although in this respect he was much
better than Anderson, the other Sub"
Well, Valley School would be defeated at
last, and he might have guided the team
to victory. And what would Mille Barr
thinkf She had been very nice about
it, and quite agreed that he should go
home at this time. But she must have
been fearfully disappointed. Well, per-
haps she did not mind so much, after all.
Some other fellow would take her. He
gritted his teeth at the thought OF that.
Then, perhaps, she would not mind 30
much if the fellows of Valley School were
beaten. No, Of course not; girls did not
have that school spirit that made the
coming game bound the whole horizon for
him. Girls could not make such sacrifices
as he would make, if he only could, Just
to run that team the way he had before.
to hammer at the opposing line until a
weak spot could be found; to send the
lends down the field like lightning on the
heels of long, low punt; to skirt the
opposing ends behind perfect interference
and run fifty yards to a touchdown; per
haps-to-but what was,the use of think
ing about it2 1t was all behind him now,
and getting further away with every min
ute's fight of the rushing train. He was
glad he had left it ali. He would see
Dad soon! Old Dad! How hard he must
be working, with all those annoying,
sQualling little wretches, sick, all over the
town. He must be lonesome, there all by
himself. Yes, he was glad he was going
to see Dad, and let the school rage If Il
wanted to. What was school compared
to Dad, anyway
Charlie was reused from his brown
study BY the brakeman's roar Of "Bar.
bridget" In his ear He had to change
cars here. He descended to the station
platform and stood waiting for the other
train, when the telegraph operator tapped
him on the shoulder. "AIr. Charles
TOWN. he asked. Charlie nodded and
was handed telegram. "Wait where
you are" he read. "Will reach Bar.
bridge at eleven ave." His fathers name
was signed to the message. and upon
looking at his watch Charlie found that
he had but three minutes to wait He
paced the platform impatiently, trying to
guess the cause of this very unusual re-
quest. until the train came In. His faith.
er sprang from the platform Of the smok.
er and came to meet him with beamihg
face.
Il thought l would catch you, Soy,"
he said. Il wired to four points on the
line to be sure of you. l want to see you
win that game for Valley School," Char
lies heart swelled with a sudden joy. SO
keen that he could not speak; then sank
again.
Il don't believe can get back In
tme," he faltered. "It takes four hours
from here, you know, aud there's no train
for an hour, and the game begins at g."
"Nonsensew said his father. "I'l wire
them to delay matters. and you know no
contest ever comes OF on time. anyhow"
When they reached the academy town
they found the streets deserted. EVERY.
one is at the field" said Charlie. oIIear
thatr A faint gust of cheering came
from the grounds, half mile away.
Valley School had grim visions ~ do.
feat. The first half had closed with =
score Of 8 to 0, in MillviIle's favor The
enemy had slowly. stubbornly. advanced
the ball the length Of the field for A