The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1912-11-08
Chjldren's Stories

Every day, during the next week, when the
team was practicing, Joe posted himself as near
to the coach as he dared hoping that as some
player broke and was retired the quick eyes might
flash toward him. But they never did.
So it went on till finally the team was declared
to be made up as il would stand, with two sub
stitues in case player should develop some
weakness or be disabled and all the time fetzers
eyes had not once rested on Joe Burke.
A few nights later after even the makers and
partakers OF unlawful spreads were long asleep,
there came a sudden changing OF bells and hoarse
cries
A long row OF small and not very valuable
buildings were afire-not serious fire in itself,
bat ono that might menace the business part OF
ihe town. The fire apparatus was insufficient,
the water supply small and the hose poor. In five
minutes the whole school was aroused and most
OF il hurrying in various stages OF dress and un-
dress toward the fire and in another i've they
were working with the ardor II not the skill oil
veteran firemcn. The boys threw themselves into
the work with cheer, and took hold wherever
they saw a chance Soon Fctzer the coach tet-
zcr OF the strong muscles and iron determine
tion had a grasp upon the end of the hose ana
was directing the stream ct water.
But Just as soon as the fire became checked
the ardor OF tic boys began 10 cool. The height
Of the excitement was passed, and one by one the
bows dropped cir either returning 10 tic school
or watching The Tire as spectators. Ac inst fet-
zer had noticed his entire football team about
him. working with the same ardor they carried
into the game then at intervals in his own steady
efforts TO qucl the fire nc became aware that their
number was essenng At last all the boys were
gone except a little fellow who was working
farther along the row OF buildings.
The fire was now under sufficient control for
Fetzer to give more attention to things away
from his own work He noticed that the little
fellow whose face and hands were blackened al
most beyond recognition, worked just as hard now
as ne had when ne first came, and that he seemed
entirely Obvious OF WEAKNESS or danger. He
carried an AK that he had picked up somewhere,
and again and again he sprang forward to the
very edge OF the fire to knock out some prop or
timber that would hasten the fire into heap
for more speedy consuming Fetzer's own face
was blackencd 10 grim righteousness but when at
last he dropped the hose it looked almost genial
as he turned TO the boy.
Come on he called they don need us here
any more
Toe looked doubtful.
Maybe ! could help little yet he suggest
ed I'm fresh enough
NO. no come on We're not needed
Joe dropped his AK, and the two walked toward
the campus side by side AS they vaul,ed the
fence and started up the slope Fetzer looked at
him with friendly interest
"Onc Of the new boys, think he said.
yes. sir
"Of course. ! know YOU now. ] didn't at first
YOU are so abominably dirty. You were among
that bunch waiting for chance on the team, sew
era weeks ago."
yes, sir
Like TO come in now
Would I;' There was a choke in Ioe's voice
which made the coach nod understandingly.
All right" he said, you may Join MS for prac
ticc tomorrow. Our quarterback isn't up TO the
mark, and YOU can take his place. oh, yes as
he saw something trembling on Joes lips your
weight is bad but you have other things that will
more than make 1t up'-Physical Culture
pAmENTc