Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-08-05
THE, MILE RUN.
By Leslie n: 0ui:


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He had meant to show them mis-
worth some day, and had thought the
time at hand. Now, however, there
was nothing to do but to forget his
ambitions and help win the race for
his university. So he wrote to his
father explaining the circumstances
and suggesting that 1t would hardly
- worth his while to come to the
meet. But his father, who was an old
college man himself, answered his let.
ter in way that made Elton's heart
leap.
II am proud of you," the father
wrote, land under the circumstances
would prefer having your team win
the meet than seeing You get first in
that race. You have the true college
spirit, my boy, which. is an important
element in higher education. l shall
come to see you lose the race, and
shall be glad when you do it,
The day Of the dual track meet came
almost before Elton realized it. The
air was heavy with the soft laziness
Of early spring, yet there was cool
ness in the atmosphere that foretold
fast races
Both universities had large fol-
lowing. Each was confident OF win
ming; each cheered its men frantically.
Followers of college athletes were on
the field in large numbers, for the meet
was practically to decide the cham
pionship of the west.
Down under the grand stand, In the
dressing rooms, the members OF the
track team louneed about in luxurious
idleness. The coaches, judges, time
keepers and other officials rushed here
and there in greatest haste, endeayor.
ing to get the great athletic meet start
ed on time.
1t was, as usual, full half-hour af-
ter the advertised time when the first
event occurred. But from that mo-
ment there was no hitch, and slowly
the spectators checked off their pro-
grams as each race was ended. For
the coaches there were no surprises.
Each had figured out the results OF the
various events from the previous rec
ords of the contestants, and each saw
his prophecies, one by one, fulfilled.
Almost before he knew it, Elton had
laid down on the great bare table, and
had his muscles loosened by careful
rubbing and kneading. and then had
slipped on his running suit and taken
his place on the cinder track.
AS he waited for the signel he re-
membered the coach's last advice. He
looked now at the three other runners.
Denty was on the outer edge of the
track, smiling and confident, one
of the other teams men was on each
side of him. Elton looked curicusly at
them. and wondered if they would be
fooled by the simple game he was to
play. He doubted it, but he deter
Then came the Sharp commands OF
the starter. the pistol shot and the'
were off, each running with ions'
measured stride. For time they ran
together, with feet that touched inc
cinders underneath in perfect unison.
After a moment, Elton, almost AFRAID
took a little longer step, and quick
ened his stride. For minute ne
feared the change in the pace was
enough to be noticed, but quick sue
glance showed the other runners at MS
elbow. So bit by bit he increased MS
speed until he knew he must be set
ting pace that would soon TIRE tne
others. And still they clung to his
side.
At the second lap of the quarter
mile track, when the race was nal
ended Elton was full so yards ahead O
the nearest man. The runners OIL tn'
other team had by this time discoV
cred the attempt to tire them at TN
start. and had dropped back until the!
were midway between Elton an
Denty.
lust how we'll the plan had worke
could not be decided until the las
Ian. when the critical sprint at tn
finish took place. 1t seemed to Fl
ton however. that the two other run
ners must be much more exhauste
than Denty. Elton himself wa
breathing hard, and keeping step oni
IN a mechanical way. He was gla
he was not expected to sprint the la
few yards.
AS he rounded the curve OF the trac
at the finish of the last lap but ont
, Elton took a quick glance back at tt
! other runners. Then he gasped SUI
q denly, lost step and nearly fell. +
s could not see Denty!
There was>a blurred sight of the tv
n other runners, already beginning
: gain upon him, but back of thel
n where Denty had been a moment
o fore. the track lay black and deserte
! Had he fallen? Had he given up t
4 race? There was no time, howevt
for conjectures. But one thought W
Il in Elton's mind; Denty was gone;
, must win the race himself.
" He crossed the line and started
" the last lap. Well in the rear, t
# two other runners quickened tn
h pace, and began TO draw nearer
Is nearer. Up in the grand stand sol
le one yelled a word of encourageme
f. and Elton tried to move his legs
little faster. His breath was comi
st in queer, choking gasps now, and
ne lips were burning hot and dry.
g. Halfway round the track he stu
or bled from sheer exhaustion, and ]
all a yard or two. By the time he h
,ir forced his legs into the stride aga
,r. he could hear the labored breath
no of some other runner close behi
of With desperate energy he dug
RI spikes of his running shoes into
cinder track, and leaped ahead as
- would with long stroke in skati