Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-31

Though IL was only an hour before ,
the great football game between Ciin-
ton ard Darnall, their conversation
was not of the gridiron as they walked
down Main street bound for clinton |
oval
.srhere's only one thing that keeps !
me from becoming engaged To you
right now, Thornton" SAID the siri
after serious pause
'Nnull have to tell me. Leta; l
RANT guess H." answered the stalWart
quarterback of the Clinton eleven.
"Just this" she said. 81 am not alto
gether sure that you really need me
In your life. You are strong, sell
reliant boy. capable of fighting your
own way over the obstacles that VIII
confront you.
.More than all else put together,
want TO know that without my en-
couragement you would Spe accom-
plishing less-that ! will always be
an ,nsniration TO YOU, no matter what
your aims may be-"
For a moment the young man ala
not reply. Then he looked at his com
panion, his gaze sincere
"Leta. you're right" he agreed quiet
Nv. "Thafs the way want you to
feel about 1t. Deep down in my heart
know that you would always inspire
me 70 strive for the best In life. But
I must convince you of this, ana III
do IT. too, dear girl, II | get the
chancer
"Maybe you will. Thornton she
replied. "and | hope that you will
more than you can guess. Why-why
not begin at the game todayr
t"Thats what l intend to do, Leta!
was his prompt response. II expect 10
play ms never played before. just be-
cause YOU are wearing Clinton's col
ors and wearing my pennant. It's
pretty one, isn't itp
''The gold and brown stripes harmo-
nize beautifully with that bright
brown gown you are wearing. Your
ticket calls for seat back on tue
north goal, and | know I'll see yon
clearly despite the crowds"
at certainly is fine" she declared,
"tbat little me may be an inspiration
10 a Clinton boy TO play at his best.
But 1t seems almost a pity that you are
not one OF the halfbacks or in the line,
though | know everything depends
on the quarterback. He gives the sig
GALS and delivers the ball. doesn't heF
"I know what you mean, Leta,' be
said. "You would like TO see me In Il
oosition where | could run with the
ball instead of handing 1t out to some
body else?"
The girl nodded.
"Well. that's because | weigh only
las instead Of 200 pounds" lie contin
ued. after all, it takes sheer weight
IN the line. and that naturally slides
me into the quarterback's place.
"But YOU mustn't forget that Clinton
iepends upon me TO kick the goals, ant
\ goal kicked or missed often wins OF
loses big game like this"
They were now oil the colleg
grounds amid shouting hundreds an'
suttering flags and pennants. Thorn
Ton assisted Leta to her seat high n
n that part Of the semicircular CRANE
stand that stretched around behind tn
north goal.
Il hope Clinton gets the south en'
IF the field" lac said as he started OF
toward the clubhouse.
"Whyf" she asked
because then I'll be able TO see tn
orange aud brown magnet that's draw
ing me north toward Darnalrs goal,
be said earnestly.
Soon the rival elevons troteA cut @
the field. and from the tbousan
tongued grand stand rose might
shout, while pennants ribbons, han'
kerchiefs and flags mingled in wa
ing, varicolored mass.
1t was the great wind-up game {
the year and there was chance f
any player TO win a glory crown !
making the deciding touchdown. Bot
elevens. it was evident. were steele
for the contest.
But. as fate would have IL, Clinic
got the north end OF the field and
savage quarterback waited for the III
pire's signal with his back TO the 81
In orange who was waving a pennal
=ior him.
But despite this disappointment
gathered his strength for the chare
and as the shrill whistle struck b
ears he leaped forward straight I
the ball that lay on the line TWEEN
yards I'm front Of him. Bif. The oN
went whirling through the air In
sixty yard parabola, with the wh'
Clinton team in pursuit.
The ball landed in the arms of ID;
nails fullback, and the big fell
came back up the field In series
mnges. But before a dozen yells II
pplit the air he was down. with eve
Clinton man piling over him.
Then the shoulder to shoulder bat
began. In three downs Darnall
the ball. Then Thornton's opportun
came. To test Darnalrs line he "a
at the risk Of having his own M
twisted a series Of center rush sigma
Three times the heavy backs cha
ed over him. and he felt his bre
going fast az Darnall hurled back
plungers. End runs were tried "
but little better success. Seeing I
line rushes were hopeless. he gave
signal for kick. and Clinton's I
back sent the ball far down the fie
But Darnall hurled It backswith
other kick There were more 81
formation plays. followed by two N
long distance kicks, while the air
filed with the cries of the special
and the sharp quick shrek Of the