The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-04-09

the crockies, the CHIMES.
When the forces of reform bore down
on the ancient game of marbles, there
"nuckle down." who had needed the
injunction ito screw honey in the
dirt" who still smile as the tow head
shouts want pips" or Lag you lay"
For they are graduates of the boyville
world, ancient sinners still half un-
reformed, who might on occasion like
to cry want siftings," before the
shrill Settings" from other lips for
stalled them.
So there were men in the high
who, loyal to the memories of other
days, sprang into the breach with a
kind word for marbles and for
marbles for keeps
Marbles were dignified in the dis.
cussion by the north state teachers,
for marbles came up for discussion as
form of athletics.
The high school section had been
progressing without much difference
of opinion. Literature, the Basic
Study for Character Building" had
been discussed by Miss Katherine
Hanly of Neigh and by President
Clemmons of Fremont college. SUI
perintendent Dell Gibson of Plainview
and Principal w. w. Theisen of
Beemer had joined in discussing the
topic, "The Laboratory Method and In
expensive Apparatus"
When w. M. Finnegan of Harting-
ton, who was presiding, introduced
Superintendent c. e. Newell of Elgin,
who spoke on athletics in Relation
to High School Work" Mr.. Newell's
remarks were conservative and con-
structive. He didn't abuse marbles,
or suggest that three old cat" would
lead to professionalism or that SNAP
ping the whip" might some day end in
ruin at the race side
Nation Starts Things.
In fact athletics in the high school
were blushing under many compli-
ments, when ]. w. Nation, a Fremont
school man, entered the field. For a
few minutes he resembled Carrie of
Kansas in his assault on high school
athletics
Students Like the Snake Indians.
The only thing which was just like
high school football or baseball ex
cursion, Nation declared, was the pres
ent uprising of the Crazy Snake In
dians. He had taught school for many
years and for the last five years had
travelled over four states. He didn't
hesitate to say that he would just as
soon have his children go to horse
race IS to an athletic meet or base
ball game.
Play Marbles? File! File!
But what about marbles? ]. H.
Kemp, principalof the schools at St
Edward, thought the reform shouldn't
be limited to the high school as long
as the marble evil fiourished in the
grades. Precious moments were be-
ing wasted by little boys, who were
wickedly playing marbles "for keeps"
Marmbles ought to be stopped al
together, he said, just like cigarettes.
Boys shouldn't play on the school
grounds or off. Mr.. Kemp insinuated
that marbles, while not as bad as
faro, at least rivalled poker as dan
gerous gambling game.
Would Just Regulate II.
The st. Edward man was not with
out supporters. The question was
serious. Some thought that marbles
ought to be regulated" instead of
suppressed. An ex-footbal player
suggested an interstate commission to
draw up new rules" for the game. A
young lady from the Bonesteel line
thought that the game should be given
a school license with a provision that
some teacher should act as referee.
So the game was argued pro and con.
Friends to the Rescue.
The game of marbles in these sore
straits appealed to the sympathies of
some of the one time friends of the
game. j. II. WEIGH of Stanton de-
clared for marbles Keeps" might
be bad but the best way out would be
to substitute form of school athletics.
NJ. r. Ellis of Coleridge was the hero
who dared to champion the cause of
marbles boldly. He was an EXTREMIST,
in fact. He was even willing to play
"for keeps"
Stand Up for Athletics.
The brave defense of the marble
game by Ellis and one or two others,
inspired defense of higher athletics.
Among the experienced school men
the sentiment seemed to be that II
athletics were handled with care, they
resulted IN much good, in the develop:
ment of the students, in stimulating
interest In school work and In holding
boys and girls in school,
At this point Chairman Finnegan
sidetracked the discussion in order to