The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-01
THE POMFRET HIGH
SCHOOL BULL FIGHT,
Rv George Ethelbert Walsh,

BY George EthelDerL WdisH.
"OId Migrants closed up the lower
meadows, and we can't cross any more
to the Neck!"
viii Comfort, right tackle of the
Pomfret high school football team
made the announcement with disgust
in his voice. The meadows had peen
a sore point between the high school
BOYS and Mr.. Wiegrant, who lived
solitary life UP in the old farm house
back of the Neck. The Neck was town
property, and the boys made 1t play
ground after school hours; but untor-
tunately for them, they had to cross
the meadows to reach it, or walk near
ly three miles out of their course
around the bend in the river.
whats he closed it up with" de-
manded Wilson, the heavy center-rush
of the team When the young right
tackle said with new board fence,
Wilson laughed. and added; I'd like
to see the board fence that could keep
US out"
There was general approval of this
remark, and several shouted: Lets
go down now and rush 1t! Bet IL won
stand five minutes!"
1t was half a mile to the meadows,
but the football eleven made 1t seem
less than a quarter With the heetness
of unlea shed hunting dogs they rushed
down the road, shouting in chorus an
impromptu doggerel, which sounded
like:
Wiegrant! Wiegrant! Wiegrant
o, you can't o, you can't-can't
Keep us out!
There was the brand-new board fence
obstructing their way, fully six feet
high. The captain of the team stopped
ten yards away, dropped his football,
and with a powerful kick sent 1t fly
ing straight up into the air. 1t sailed
beautifully heavenward, and then dis
appeared over the fence.
Now, them! After it, every mani!
he shouted.
Every member of the team made a
wild rush forward, forming a close
rush line, and landed plumb against
the boards. Eleven boys, weighing on
an average 120 pounds each, made an
impact of nearly three-quarters of
ton. This weight hurled against a
board fence is bound to make posts
and pickets shake and quake.
The fence bent forward, yielded sew
eral inches, with a groan, and then
snapped two of the upright posts short
off, precipitating the whole thing on
the ground inside of the meadows. SIX
of the football players, nearly landed
on the head of Mr.. Wiegrant, who had
been standing on the other side.
For a few moments there was wild
scramble. Those who. could pick
themselves up and ran after the foot
ball. The others untangled them
selves and retreated to the road. Mr..
Wiegrant collared two of the boys
and threatened them with dire punish
ment. After extreme trouble they
wriggled loose and Joined their COM
rades in the road.
Wfegrant! Wiegranti Wiegrant!
O, you can't! o, you can't-can't
Keep us out!
The chorus drowned the old mans
threats and protes tations. Vainly he
tried to speak, explain and condemn
The boys heard nothing of what he
said.
This episode was the elimination OF
a long series of hostilities which had
made bitter enemies between the two.
1t was the fault OF both. Mr.. Wiegrant
entertained a natural antipathy for
bows. and he was unkind and unchari-
table towards them, resenting the
smallest trespass upon his premises.
The boys on their side accepted the
old man as a cross, grumpy and unjust
neighbor. ever ready 10 find fault with
and threaten them with punishment.
There were memories Of midnight
naaraudlng expeditions when apple or
chards and melon patches suffered;
but these were Offset By exasperatlng
little attacks upon the boys plans FOR
outdoor sports whenever they APP
preached the old mans premises.
The climax sof the petty grievances