Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-28
Kicking
 A Goal By LITTELL MCLUkG.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated |.
 Literary Press

rOll ana lJdTnal, lHelT ''HNti Sa tioh was not of the grldiron as they walked down Main street bound for Clinton oval.
 "rhere's only one thing that keeps he from becoming engaged to you right now. Thornton" said the girl after a serious pause,
 "Youll have 10 tell me. Leta; l can't guess It." answered the stalwart quarterback of the Clinton eleven.
 Just luis, she said. "l am not alto gether sure that you really need me in your life. You are q strong, self reliant boy, capable of fighting your own way over the obstacles that will confront you.
 More than all else put together. want to know that without my en- cOuragememt you would be accom- plishiug ess-that I will always be an inspiration tu you. no matter what your aims may be"
 For q moment the young man did not reply Then he looked at his com panion. his gaze sincere.
 "Leta. you're right" he agreed quiet ly. That's the way 1 want you 10 feel about il. Deep down in my heart l know that you would always inspire me 10 strive for the best In life. But l must convince you of this, and I'll do it, too, dear girl If l get the chance"
 Maybe you will, Thornton,' she replied. and l hope that you will more than you can guess. Why-why not begin at the game today"
 That's what intend to do, l.eta" was his prompt response II expect to play as 1 never played before, just be cause you are wearing clinton's col ors and wearing my pennant. It's pretty one, isn't il:
 The gold and brown stripes harmo- nizr beautifully with that bright brown gown you are wearing. Your i:'nct calls for d seat back on the north goal, and l know I'll see you clearly despite the crowds
 It certainly is' fine" she declared, that little me may be an fnsplration to Clinton boy 10 play at his best. But it seems almost a pity that you are not one of the halfbacks or iu the line. though know everything depends on the quarterback. He gives the sig nals and delivers the ball, doesn't he:"
 T know what you mean, Leta,' he snid. You would like 10 see me in a position where I could run with the ball instead of handing 1t out to some body else"
 The girl nodded
 Well. that's because l weigh only 14, instead of 200 pounds he contin- ued. After all, 1t takes sheer weight in the line. and that naturally slides me Into the 9uarterbacks place.
 But you mustn't forget that Clinton depends upon me to kick the goals, and a goal kicked or missed often wins or loses big game like this"
 They were now on the college grounds amid shouting hundreds and 1 futterng flags and pennants. Thorn 1 ton assisted Leta to her seat high up in that part of the semicircuar grand stand that stretched around behind the north goal.
 II hope Clinton gets the south end of the field" he said as he started off toward the clubhouse. Why" she asked.
 Because then I'll be able to see the orange and brown magns that's draw ing me north toward Darnalis goal" 1 he said earnestly.
 Soon the rival eleyens trotted out on the field, snG from the thousand tongued grand stand rose a mighty shout. while pennants. ribbons, band kerchefs and flags mingled in way ing, yaric0lored mass
 l It was the great wind-up game of the year, and there was q chance for any player to win a glory crown by making the deciding touchdown. Both elevens. 1t was evident. were steeled for the contest.
 But. as fate would have It, Clinton got the north end of the field, and Il savage quarterback waited for the um- pIre's signal with his back to the girl In orange who was waving a pcnnant for him.
 But despite this disappointment he gathered his strength for the charge, and as the shril whistle struck his ears he leaped forward straight for the ball that lay on the line twenty yards in front of him. BifT, The oval went whirl!ng through the air in a sixty yard parabola, with the whole 1 Clinton team in pursuit
 The ball landed in the arms of bar nails fullback, and the big fellow 'ame back up the field in A series of split the air he was down. with every Clinton man piIlng over him. Then the shoulder 10 shoulder battle began. In three downs Darnall lost the ball. Then Thornton's opportunity "ame. To test Darnalls line he gave ft the risk of having his own neck twisted a series of center rush signals.
 Three times the heavy backs charg ed over him. anF h; felt his breath going fast as Darnall hurled back the plungers. Eud runs were tried with hut little bettf success. Seeing that line rushes were hopeless. he gave the signal for I kick. and Clinton's full Lack sent the ball far down the field.
 But DsrualI hurled 1t back with an >ther kick. There were more close formation plays followed ny two more