Putnam patriot., 1909-02-05
Kicking
 "A Goal
By LITTELL HCLUNG.
Copyrighted. iaos. by Associated
 Literary Press

ton and Darnall. their conversation was not of the gridiron as they walked down Main street bound for Clinton oval
 There's only one thing that keeps ne from becoming engaged to you right now. Thornton" said the girl after a serious pause.
 You'll have 10 tell me. Leta. l can't guess it" answered the stalwart quarterback of the Clinton eleven.
 Just this,' she said. T am not alto gether sure that you really need me in your life You are strong. self reliant boy. capable of fighting your own way over the obstacles that will confront you.
 More than all else put together, I want to know that without my en- couragement you would be accom- plishisg less-that I will always be an inspiration to you. no matter what your aims may be
 For a moment the young man did not reply Then he looked at his eom- panion. his gaze sincere.
 .Leta. you're right he agreed quiet iy That's the way l want you to feel about it. Deep down in my heart know that you would always inspire ne to strive for the best in life. But must convince you of this, and I'll do it. too. dear girl. If 1 get the chancer'
 Maybe you will. Thornton" she replied. and I hope that you will more than you can guess. Why-why not begin at the game today?''
 That's what l intend to do, Leta,' was his prompt response. "I expect to play as I never played before, just be cause you are wearing Clinton's col ors and wearing my pennant It's pretty one. isn't it2
 .The gold and brown stripes harmo- nize beautifully with that bright brown gown you are wearing. Your ticket calls for a seat back on the north goal. and know I'll see you clearly despite the crowds"
 Tt certainly is fine" she declared, 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 nals and delivers the ball. doesn't heg
 ..I know what you mean. Leta." he said You would like to see me in Il position where I could run with the ball instead of handing 1t out to some body else?"
 The girl nodded.
 Well that's because I weigh only lf5 instead of 2OO pounds,' he contin- ued After all. It takes sheer weight In the line. and that naturally slides me into the quarterback place
 sBut you mustn't forget that Clinton depends upon me To kick the goals. and Il goal kicked or missed often wins or loses q big game like this
 They were now on the college grounds amid shouting hundreds and Gutteriag flags and penuants. Thorn ton assisted Leta to her seat high up In that part of the semicircular grand stand that stretched around behind the north goal.
 T hope Clinton gets the south end of the fied.s he said as he started off toward the clubhouse.
 Why" she asked
 "Recause then I'll be able to see the orange and brown magnet that's draw ing me north toward Darnalrs goal.' he said earnestly.
 Soon the rival elevens trotted out on the field. and from the thousand tongued grand stand rose mighty shout. while pennants. ribbons, hand kerehiefs and flags mingled in way ing, yaricoIored mass.
 It was the great wind-up game of the year and there was chance for any player to win a glory crown by making the deciding touchdown. Both rlevens, it was evident. were steeled for the contest.
 But. as fate would have 1t. Clinton got the north end of the field, and savage quarterback waited for the um- hires signal with his back to the girl m orange who was waving pennant flor him.
 But despite this disappointment he gathered his strength for the charge. and as the shril whistle struck his ears he leared 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 sixty yard parabola, with the whole Clinton team In pursuit
 The ball landed in the arms of Dar- nails fulback. and the big fellow eame back up the field in a series of Iunges But before dozen yels had y- Ia l xr-f+ Hinton man piling over him.
 Then the shoulder to shoulder battle teean In three downs Darnall lost the ball. Then Thornton's opportunity tame To test Darnall's line he gave It the risk of having his own neck twisted series of center rush signals.
 Three times the heavy backs charg- ed over him. and he felt his breath going fast as Darnall hurled back the ;lunge-s. End runs were tried with hut little better success. Seeing that ane rushes were hopeless. he gave the ssnal for kick. end Clinton's full hack sent the ball far down the field
 But Darnan hurled it back with an- other kick There were more close formation plays. followed by two more long distance kicks. while the air was Filed with the cries of the spectators and the sharp. quick shriek of the um- pire's whistle
 The time of the first half was almost Ep when suddenly out of scriInmag, rolled the ball. For a second nobody xee!stlag cAn1on's quarterback knew |ss hat had become ox il.
 As il bounded eareIessly along Thorn boa at one sNoop seized iL simulta-