The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-03
CAPTAIN BEN.
Story of the Hero of a Foot Ball Team.
(The Hero of a Foot Ball Team.)
INV Walter r Noel

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thriving school inspired by the leadership
of Captain Ben, our hero, undertook to
practice this game of all games, interest
ing to both player and spectator, and in
Order to make a success OF this team of
new recruits, who were all green in the
sport, required a great deal OF persever.
ance on the part OF the leader.
Captain Ben was a great athlete and
enjoyed playing foot ball better than a
kid enjoys kicking a foot bali for the
first time. He was well built for the
work OF tackling and hitting the line,
which are the fundamental principles in
this game. He was unanimously elected
captain OF this proposed team, and
Charlie Goethe was elected manager.
The boys were at last selected to begin
I,r2ctlcing. They were required 10 prac-
tice two hours every afternoon, then to
run two miles in order to have good wind.
Hard work was the result of this prac-
ticc, and at first it went hard with the
players, for they were awkward and
would injure each other more than ne
cessary.
The field was fixed up in a very ire
gular way, leaving holes in one place and
hills in another. On account OF not hav-
ing space enough only one goal post could
be erected; that post not necessary to
describe, but leaving all the difficulties
out, we will follow the team to the field
of practice. Two sides are selected and
CAPTAIN Ben rushes forward, sending, by
q kick, the ''pig-skin' whirlmg through
the air to the opposite side. All eyes are
TUNED towards the flying ball, which is
a curiosity to all present, for it Is the
first foot ball that has ever been IN the
town. How their watchful eyes are turn
ed towards the man into whose strong
embrace the ball is about to drop, and
no doubt they are wondering what IN the
Wcrld will become OF the man in trying
to pass such wilful looking crowd as
the opposite side which Captain Ben is
leading and cheering increasingly BY
luck the bail was dropped into the arms
of the left half-back and he is going with
extra force towards the goal. Cheer at
ter cheer comes from the spectators for
the flying runner. But look: scenes are
row changing; the half-back is pursued
by Captain Ben and his men. The half
back is within ten yards of the goal, and
the opposite side, led by Captain Ben,
is but short distance behind. Heads
are pushed forward to see the result OF
the race, some in favor of the runner
but more for Captain Ben, but luck seems
to be against the runner for he has
fallen and is covered by Captain Ben and
his invincibla side. Both sides line UP
and practicing of signals begins, and a
great deal of conflict is the result, for
oEly few of the players are familiar
enough with the signals to do credit to
their side.
tx Y, Y, 80, A. is given by Captain
Rcn and the gallant right ialf-back
skirts left end for ten yards. But look:
something has happened. The lifeless
folm of the runner is stretched upon the
ground, stunned by the collision with
his opponent, and every one is gathered
around to see the strange sight. Loved
Ores to bid him farewell; friends to com
fort him in his agony, but after some
time of doubtfulness, by the efforts OF
the physicians, he is brought 20 con-
seriousness. This was a sad thing for the
team, not only because they lost one
OF their star players, but because il
threw damper on their future playing.
Days and weeks passed becoae the
team was able to begin practicing again
on account of the wounds of the right
lalf-back, but they finally got settled and
every player soon knew his position and
signal and did his part wherever placed.
The manager had been trying for q
lcns time to arrange a game with some
team, but all his efforts seemed TO be in
vain, for all the teams had series OF
games arranged before this team began
practicing. The players were beginning
to feel discouraged and didn't pay much
attention to practice, so that crippled the
team somewhat.
One morning, about two weeks before
pI-cyi vin no hill
su.nmoning the student to begin the
days work, the robust figure of the
manager was seen coming at a faster
pace than ever before, so every one turn
cd towards him as soon as he entered the
yard
Good morning, boys. There is good
news for u.s. he said.
The eyes of the boys seemed to sparkle
with joy until their dazzling gaze threw
glorious light around the crowd as
scnlbled, and heart beat loud as they
gathered around the manager to hear the
contents of a favorable letter, which ran
thus:
Mgr S. P. S. f. B. T.-Dcar Sir: Your
inquiry concerning a game of foot ball
with us Thanksgiving has been delayed
Oh account OF consideration. We will be
pleased to play you then, if all is salts
factory. Respectfully,
&c. w. LYCH, N B., f. B. T..
Three cheers for the captain and man
aeer were now echoed and re-echoed until
they were heard all over town Crowds
could be seen discussing the result of
this game with rival town, and sleep
was hardly considered while it was under
discussion. During these discussions you
could always hear Captain Ben praising
the valor and grit of his men and en-
ccdra ging them always.
To successfully outrival the opposing
team was little dreamed of. for they
had the pick of whole town, while tbe
S. p. S. boys were completely confined
to a school, and there was not enough
large players to compose two good sides
but still the thought of a game was
CROUCH to spur the hard practiced recruits
ON to save the ''honor of their school"
The S. P. S. boys were under MANY dis
advantages, yet they braved like heroes
and pushed onward, desiring either TO
win or die.
The day for the great game was drawing