The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-10

- Dol of the pluck with which he had
launched his hundred and thirty
pounds of muscle against hundred and
eighty pounds of Drawn in successful tackle
which laid to the ground padded giant of the
"gridron." Moreover. it had been common
player who was thus stopped with unerring SKILL but
the captain of tho varsity team,
1t was all in practice game, to be sure, and
Elton had been playing the Scrub second
eleven. But, for all that the fact remained that
he had stopped the bury fuback captain after half
dozen others had failed And, to add to the glory
of it all, the big player had slowly arisen wiped off
dirt gingerly stroked arm, and had finally
said, Good work. old mani" which is as enthusiastic
praise really good football-captain gives.
1t left such pleasant taste that Elton once
noticed great bruise his leg till he taking
his shower bath little later. Even then it failed
worry him. He knew bruises handicaps
when the turmoil and zest of game
through ones veins-aways provided there was
pluck the part of the injured person.
As he walked slowly along the street he
scious Of but trouble in all the wide world.
That particular for worry his one hun
dred and thirty pounds of weight. For football it
must be understood. is game where weight we'll
nigh outclasses science; and when weight and sci
ence combined in that person is fit
subject for the football field and. readily follows
is gwen preference lighter man who may pos
equal skill.
So it had been with Elton. He had donned
football the beginning of his junior year at
college, and in had thoroughly mastered
all the principles of the game. When his last year
In college began. he forth candidate again.
with few pounds weight and wonderful
knowledge of football. But man. twenty
pounds heavier. also tried for the same position that
of quarter back. and found difficulty in securing
place the team. This left Elton substitute
quarterback
He was thinking of it all now as he trudged pain
fully along. There NO bitterness against Saund-
ers, the player who had the coveted position,
for he knew the heavier possessed decided
advantage. Nevertheless it seemed wrong, some
how; he had been of the few faithful who had
never missed practice through all the weary days
of rain and sunshine and snow and mud. And now,
with the about to terminate in the great
championship game, it looked as if all his hard work
to go for nothing. Certainly there in
justice somewhere
ooh, Baby Etonr'
Far back along the walk Saunders himself was
striding forward with the of who boards
at training table-and does not get hurt prac-
tce. Elton glad of the opportunity for brief
and waited till the other had reached his side
Together the walked and recalled victories of
the glorious eleven that bade fair to claim cham
pionshp honors in the West.
ut has been a good season all around" declared
Saunders, at last.
For you it has," said Elton, before his brain
fairly formed the words Once spoken he would
have given much to recall them.
They walked in silence for few minutes; then
Saunders suddenly stopped.
Look here, Baby" he said: 81 understand just
what you Had it not been for me- and for
the fact that am heavier than you the position of
quarter would of have been played by you.
I'm sorry the way it is, and d give lot if things
different. But don't see how you can blame
me-"
Il don't, said Elton, decisively II am just sorry
for myself And he tried to laugh There was
long silence. "You see" he went on, Il graduate
next spring. The game Saturday is the last of my
college days, the last shall from the side
lines. the last time. in all probability, shall ever
football suit. 1t comes hard, old man, to
think shall have no part in it. believe would
willingly give almost anything just for ten min
utes in the midst of the broing scrimmages. with
ping top of me, and with the ball in my
II means more to than you can imagine;
and yet there is possibility of my playing unless"
here he hestated-"well to be frank, unless you
get hurt: and know should rather remain on the
side-lines than you laid up"
Saunders smiled do you know, Baby it is
pretty nearly case where wish might get hurt
Sort OF suicidal view is il nots" Verify il IS" said
Ehon. lightly. N endeavor to assume his natural
jolly nature before sntering the dinng-hali
There great massmeeting the Friday even
Ing before the game It seemed that every stude emit
In the whole university attended, and yelled and
sang himself hoarse. Football songs OF jargon hall