Ellsworth American., 1909-12-15
HIS PLACE ON
THE ELEVEN.
BY MARY e. CHASE.

Phil Elliott, leaning upon his crutch
stood on the outside of the group OF ex-
cited boys and heard it all. Bob Cole was
telling it--Bob with his six feet and twe
hundred pounds Bob, football captain,
college hero and general good fellow, was
actually telling that which made the sien-
der boy on the crutch as sick ct heart as il
did the big varsity squad surrounding
their hero. Hero no longer, in the ranks
once more. Bob stood and told it all
'sCsme this morning." said be, waving
the officially-stamped envelope. "Came
this morning, and I'm cut out. Back in
ruath. and Latin, and they won't let me
play"
| A portentous silence followed the an
nouncement. Phil, on the sidelines, drew
nearer. Then Bob went ON.
~ can't tell you fellows how sorry
am. rve.don my best, but was late in
coming back, you know, and couldn't
make up. I'm mighty sorry"-and his
big voice broke ssbut I'll coach - I'll
coach until you hate me for i'll"
The boys laughed-a laugh that relieved
the tenaion.
"No time given, Bobs" asked one.
"A month, but it's no use. I'm too far
back. I've got to drop out"
Then tall fellow in we'll made clothes
offered . suggestion:
.sTutor, Bob. There must be some one
to pull you through. Tutor. I'll make
it right
Bob flushed.
"No, you won't, Sam. don't do things
that way. You ought to know by now.
The thing for you fellows to do is to get
another captain, aud I'D like to suggest ="
But . chorus of derisive yells greeted his
unspoken suggestion, and Hanson, the lit
tie quarter back, added his voice to the
general confusion.
1--WE don't want your suggestions this
time, Bobby. II / can't give my signals to
you, III give them to no other captain.
You're captain il you don't touch the
ball this year. Eh, fellows?"
The applause that burst forth from the
disappointed but still enthusiastic crowd.
made the lump in Bob's throat bit
smaller. Then he left the loyal fellows
who were cheering for him and went
across the campus through the pines to
think il over. But he did not go alone,
for the boy with the crutch, moved by
sudden impulse, followed, and Bob,
hearing the familiar tap, turned around.
"HeIio, Phil said he, and he put one
big hand on the lads shoulder.
They walked together--the big fellow
and the small, neither saying much until
they reached the great pine on the hill
slope, where they stretched out together
in the sunshine. The October air was
sharp and crisp and the campus foliage
stood out bright against the darx pines.
Phil broke the long silence.
"Bob,n said he, and Bob looked at him.
''Bob, will you promise not to speak till
get through" Bob, surprised, promised
and Phil went on. sspve never told this
before, Bob--I don't like to speak OF it
my being lame and all, but got hurt
when / Was thirteen, and I've had this
thing ever since. can't play football
never can-but I'd rather do it than any
thing I know. I've done nothing for it
ever since I've been here except give
money here and there. I've never had .
chance before, but now-Bob, will you let
me help you make up that months work
so you can play in the last big game.
We've got to win this year! Bob, won't
you let me?"
Bob did not answer, but he put his hand
again on Phil's shoulder, and the lad,
aided BY this encouragement, went ON.
81 know you're kicking inside about
the money part. You think you ought TO
pay me. 1t isn't for You, Bob; it's for
football; want to be . part Of that
eleven-and il help you to play"
Bob was ON his feet.
"Phil," he cried, 'syou're brickl For
you and football I'll do it, and wen begin
tonight"
Phil's dark eyes shone. "To-night," he
repeated. ''In my room--1A Stanford
and Bob, don't say q wordl"
That night and for many nights after .
ssbusy" sign was on the door Of IA STAN
ford, and within by Phips study table .
big fellow and small, slight chap, worked
for three long hours through the laby-
rinth Of Latin and mathematics. Phil
coacheo ana BOD worked under his IN
struction with as much painstaking
obedience rs il the coach were giving him
football instructions. And Phil, nervous
and excited, lowered about his big pupil,
giving . suggestion here and there a. Bob
figured or translated, and very often solv-
ing the problems himself and then ex-
planning in such clear way that Bob felt
himself taking fresh grasp upon things,
and when he left Phil at 10 - the hour
agreed upon-he almost felt the football
in his hands again.
Afternoons ct 4 he was ON the field
coaching - he had never coached before,
building up the team, and inspiring with
fresh vigor the sub-centTe, who was fill
ing his place-and too poorly filling it, ~
all the fellows knew. Phil wss there usu-
ally, though often he resolutely turned