The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-11
K licking
q 90 a Goal
Rv LITTELL M'CLUNG.
.,.nvrichted 1908, by Associated
CoP' Literary Press.

,..not football game between Clin-
.an m and Darnall, their conversation
W. I- NOT Of the gridiron as they walked
w." ,-, Main street bound for Clinton
oval. 49,.
from becoming engaged to you
a,snt Lar now. Thornton" said the girl
offnr 4 serious pause.
"your have to tell me, Leta; l
,,t cnpss it." answered the stalwart
onarterback e~n of the Clinton eleven.
.Trst this" she said. Il am not alto
-,4bor sure that you really need me
-o,r life. You are a strong, self
ra1;,nt boy. capable of fighting your
u.r v,v over the obstacles that will
confront you
More than all else put together,
-.on+ 70 know that without my en-
aouroapmcrt you would be accom-
srsrinc less-that 1 will always be
IN inspiration to you, no matter what
rour aims may be-"
For = moment the young man did
not reply. Then ne looked at his COM
nsnion, h!s geze sincere.
"Teta. you'ra right" he agreed quiet
,~ "TDAt's the way / want you to
Soo, about 1t. Deep down In my heart
know that you would always inspire
mo 70 strive fer the best in life. But
must convince you Of this, and I'll
do if too. dear girl, if l get the
chancc.'
Maybe you will, Thornton" she
renlied. and I hope that you will
more than you can guess. Why-Why
not BEGIN at the game today?
THAT'S what intend to do, Leta"
was his prompt response. 81 expect to
pl9v as l never played before, just be-
cause YOU ere wearing Clinton's col
ors and wearing my pennant. It's
pretty one, isn't it?
THE gold and brown stripes harmo-
nizc beautifully with that bright
brown gown you are wearing. Your
ticket calls for a seat back on the
north goal, and 1 know I'll see you
clearly despite the crowds"
that little me may be an inspiration
to a Clinton boy to play at his best!
But it seems almost pity that you are
not one of the halfbacks or in the line,
though / know everything depends
on the quarterback. He gives the sig
nails and delivers the ball, doesn't he?"
II know what you mean, Leta," he
said. You would like to see me in q
position where l could run with the
ball instead of handing it out to some
body else?"
The girl nodded.
well, that's because l weigh only
14J instead of 200 pounds" he contin-
ued. After oil, it takes sheer weight
in the line, and that naturally slides
me into the quarterback 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 a big game like this"
They were now on the college
grounds amid shouting hundreds and
futtering flags and pennants. Thorn
ton assisted Leta to her seat high up
in that part of the semicircular grand
stand that stretched around behind the
north goal.
Il 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 magnet that's draw
ing me north toward Darnalls goal"
he said earnestly.
Soon the rival elevens trotted out on
the field, and from the thousand
tongued grand stand rose a mighty
shout, while pennants, ribbons, hand
kerchiefs and flags mingled in a way
ing, varicolored mass.
It was the great wind-up game of
the year, and there was a chance for
any player to win a glory crown by
making the deciding touchdown. Both
elevens, it was evident. were steeled
for the contest.
But, as fate would have it, Clinton
got the north end of the field, and a
savage quarterback waited for the UNI
pres signal with his back to the girl
IN orange who was waving a pennant
for him.
But despite this disappointment he
gathered his strength for the charge,
ana as the shrill whistle struck his
ears he leaped forward straight for
the ball that lay on the line twenty
yards in front of him. Biff! The oval
went Whirling through the air in a
sixty yard parabola, with the whole
Clinton team in pursuit
INC ball landed in the arms of Oar
AaIlS fullback, and the big fellow
came back up the field in a series Of
'Ui.TeS But before a dozen yells had
s..lt the air he was down, with every
'iInton man piling over him.
4Aen the shoulder to shoulder battle
peSah in three downs Darnall lost
Tue pail. Then Thornton's opportunity
'dihe 70 test Darnall's line he gave
at Ihe risk of having his own neck
'Mlsted series of center rush signals.
ihfee times the heavy backs charg-
cu over him, and he felt his breath
soHs fast as Darnall hurled back the
piuhsers End runs were tried with
uul little better success. Seeing that
4,ne fushes were hopeless, he gave the
s'snal for kick, and Clinton's full
'ach sent the ball far down the field.
nut Darnall hurled it back with an
e'ner Kick. There were more close
,Vrhation l plays, followed by two more
tvns s, distance kicks, while the air was