Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02

went on I'll play yol a game for
the Jackpot. Come on. Now's your
chance"
Without word Harold drew his
chair up to the table and reached for
the cards. The boys gathered around
and watched breathlessly. for some
thing In Harold's tense face and 10.
bored breathing told them that more
than the mere money was ut stake.
They had seen him lose larger
amounts than that with a careless
smile on his face.
But again the fates were against
him. and again his plays were un-
lucky. With groan he pushed back
his chair and rushed from the room
to pass a sleepless night tossing to
and fro and living over again those
few brief hours Of the evening be-
fore.
His chum met him at the foot Of the
Eairs as. hageard and worn. he came
down to breakfast the next morning
Here's a chance to make good yet.
he whispered Minnesota has sent
up $500 to place on the game. We've
all agreed to give you the first chance
Mt It."
"Tll take It." said Harold quickly.
"The fates may be against me, but
In q football game I'm not afraid Of
even fate"
Long before o'clock the crowd be-
gan to aow through the gate and up
on to the long bleachers. Beth had
secured seats near the center. and the
girls were waiting excitedly for the
appearance Of the contending teams
At about fifteen minutes Of 2 the Min.
nesota team trotted on to the field.
"Oh, see!' cried Mabel. catching
Gladys by the arm. There's Jeff'
But Gladys had already seen him
and was waving a Minnesota pennant
with all her might.
JEFF saw them ut almost the same
Instant and waved his hand.
Doesn't he look big aud strong In
those football thingsY cried Mabel
"And oh, see. there's Harold" as the
Iowa team came running out. The
crowd was Oh its feet In an instant,
and the Iowa yell echoed across the
campus as the two teams lined up.
Then the whistle blew. and the great
game was on Mabel put her hand
kerchief to her eyes as the two lines
came together with a thud that shook
the tense air Gladys only wished that
she had more eyes In order that she
might see more Of It
"Seew she cried. Selling Beth by the
arm as jeff. who was playing quarter.
broke away for twenty yard run
down the field toward Iowa's goal II
looked for a moment as II he had got
clear away, and then with q long
lump Harold tackled him. and they
went down together.
Play followed play In quick success
sion, but 1t seemed to the girls that IT
was largely fight between the two
opposing quarterbacks. with the rest
of the Dlayers to lend color to the
scene
The first half passed with no score.
and the whistles called the men up for
the final struggle. Minnesota secured
the ball OH the kickoff. and their ia
NOUS "aying wedge" took them back
nearly to the center Of the lield. Then
jeff got away with the ball and nd
vancrd II to lowa's forty yard line
4 line smash took II five yards far
ther, and there II stuck Twice the
great human machines came together
and twice Minnesota failed to gain
AS Il last resort Jefr dropped back t"
kick goal II was a magnificent Kick.
and the ball sailed squarely between
the posts.
The handful Of minnesota supporters
went wild with delight, and when
Gladys came to herself she WAS WI,
ing a plug hat with one hand and her
remnant In the other, while the laid
headed old gentleman who sat IN TIL
seat ahead looked up nj her il pniG''
surprise.
Again the teams lined up. Minnesota
flushed with victory. Iowa dossedi.
determined. Harold backed up Iowa ,
kickoff with great run and ND;
nificent tackle. and Iowa held the ba'
on Minnesota's thirty-fve yard line
The Iowa supporters went Wild yell
Ing for n touchdown, but Minnesota
line was Ike II stone wall. and low.
had no alternative but TO kick Tn
ball was quickly passed back to liar
old, but the hard game and the sl"ei
less night were beginning to tell oil
him, and he fumbled. He immediate
ly recovered and kicked. but the Min
nesota men were Oh top OF him. anI
the chance for score was lost. Min
nesota kicked the ball out Of danger
and then followed ten minutes ol
steady hammering. with no apparen
advantage on either side.
Harold was getting desperate. Th'
disgrace Of a defeat and the dis
grace Of a whole years straight liv
ing thrown away In a single night
| dissipation stared him In the face.
They must not lose. He clinchet
bis teeth az be called the signal 10