The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-11-24
WON AT
FOOTBALL.
By CARL SARGENT CHASE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

marry, by several years. and so is
Billy. who graduated only last year
and is at the foot of the second lieu
tenants"
The words were spoken by Mrs. Bax-
ter. wife Of Major Baxter. instructor
at West Point, to her daughter. An
nette, aged sew enteen years and eight
months and engaged to Lieutenant
Billy Dolman of the --th infantry.
Besides" continued Mrs. Baxter
with teasing sparkle in her eye.
BILLY is coaching the football team for
the annual game with the middies
and has all he can do to fit them for
the struggle. He has no time to de-
vote to preparation for matrimony.''
Il wish you were not so devoted to
our boys winning. mamma" said the
daughter. s.
And l wish Billy to have his mind
on his coaching exclusively"
Perhaps If he knew that you had
consented to our marriage it would
make him so happy that he would pull
the boys through. He thinks about
your refusal all the time"
''I'll tell you what I'll do" said Mrs.
Baxter after some thought. If Billy's
team wins I'll consent to your wedding
the minute the game is over" Fl
May l say that to himY'
Eyes. you may. and that If he loses
you must wait a year"
Annette rushed off to the telephone,
called up her lover and announced the
conditions. s&
Mother is demented about our boys
| winning the annual game this year.
/ and that has induced her to yield what
she has yielded. l never dreamed that
she would ever give us a chance. She
has persistently said that shouldn't
marry before am twenty" s
Billy was so excited over the news
that he told his chum. who told his
other chum. and Annette told her
bosom friend. who told her other
bosom friend. and the result was that
within a few days every one knew
'as great secret" that if Billy Dol.
man brought the army team up to an
efficiency that would enable them to
beat the middies he was to win wife
/ If not he would have to wait a year
Besides the waiting there's many a
slip twixt the cup and the lip. Then.
since all the post knew it. Billy told
the team. adding that his cup of JOY
or misery was in their hands.
All the world loves lover. and the
! spirit the announcement infused into
the team was something remarkable
Every man went into more steady
training than before. and not man
shirked moment Of practice. when
the team was being coached. Billy
! worked with them like a Titan. In
deed. so hard did he make it for them
that every man who was not physical
! ~ up to his work got out and gave
place to better. The result was
that when the last few days before
the game came round Billy was con-
sscious of having as good team as
could be turned out Of the material at
ibis disposal
Annette one afternoon during the
training went out to view the practice
game. but her appearance was marked
by cheer. which brought the blush
of maidenly modesty to her cheek. and
she did not venture on the field again.
Then came the day of the fight.
i which that year took place at West
Point / The president of the United
States. the chief of the general staff
and hosts of others in authority were
spectators The middfes marched on
to the ground headed by their band.
while the CADETS kept step to the
strains of their own martial music.
Annette. conscious that she. being the
prize Of the day. would attract un-
bounded attention. refused to be pres
ent. but the captain of the army team
sent word to her that If she did not
come to cheer his boys he would not
! answer for the consequences. This
brought her TO terms. and when Lieu
tenant Dolman escorted her to her
seat she was received by a huzza
from the army team and the waving
of handkerchiefs from the spectators.
In the first half the middies made
one touchdown. distinguishing them
selves by brilliant play The army
men showed as much vigor and de-
termination at the end of the half as
at the beginning. In the second half
that esprit born of the feeling that the
fate of pair of lovers depended on
their efforts began to tell on the army
men. while the elan Of the earlier
part of the game shown by the mid
dies began to give way. Billy Dolman
kept himself constantly before their
notice. And from her seat Annette
Baxter waved to them. When time
was called for the game to close the
score stood - to in favor Of the army.
The army team before leaving the
! field went in a body to where Annette
had been sitting to cheer her. but the
| bird had flown. Headed by Lieuten-
ant Dolman. they went to Major Bax
+ ter's quarters and demanded the girl.
/ When it was found that they We're
not to be put off Mrs. Baxter an
nounced that she was ready to keep
her agreement and that the wedding
should take place that evening.
PAnd so it was that in the presence
NJ tho team TO whom leave was given