Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-10-08
The Temporary :
Quarters of a
Football Man
By DWIGHT NORWOOD


and a football enthusiast. He played
match game on the last day in Novem-
Der, in which he carried his team
through on his own shoulders and so
excited tEcir gratitude that they car
ried him on their own shoulders. So
inteIcstul had he been i'll Tie coming
game that he slept but little the night
before from thinking OF it and after
it was over Went home late from talk
ing OF it.
1t was midnight when johnny pass
ed hOUe" which vas being moved
from one side t0 @nother and which oc-
cupied nearly the entire width of the
street. So dead tired and sleepy was
he that he was tempted to go no far
Their, but climb to the front door. eff
feet an entrance and find a resting
place for the night. But, having not
much farther to go, he trudged on till
he reached his home. Feeling for his
door key, he remembered that he was
in football toys. with no pockets and
consequently no key.
Knowing that there was no one in
side within sound of the bell, he went
back to the house on blocks, but found
it locked. He broke a pane of glass,
put in his hand and opened the win
dow. Inside he found matches and
scratching one. saw that the house
was being moved with some of the
furniture left in it. lamp stood on
a table. which he lighted, then went
upstairs. On the top floor he found a
bed that suited him and, throwing
himself on 1t, was asleep In two min
uteS.
1t was ! o'clock on Saturday morn
ing when Johnny sank to slumber,
When he awoke he heard church bells
ringing. He rubbed his eyes and look
ed out through a window. The sur
roundings were not what they were
when he had gone to bed. There was
a church opposite. and there had been
only dwellings. Moreover, persons
were going into the church with pray
err books in their hands.
There was a sound of dainty foot
steps on the stairs, and the door was
opened. A girl. evidently preoccupied,
came in and for a moment didn't no.
tice Johnny When she did she gave
ii cry and made for the door. Johnny
stopped her,
will you kindly tell me what day
this iS?' he asked.
AS soon as the girl could find her
voice she told him it was Sunday. No.
ticing that he was in football costume
she concluded that he was not a bur.
glar and became more composed.
Il reckon" he continued, that have
slept about thirty hours. ! entered this
house when it was on Hinton street
and now it seems to be somewhere
else. How did you get into it?'
We came in last night after the
house was put on the lot. We belong
here"
And slept in it all night
Yes We didn't need to use this
room and didn't come up here
We'll, III be jinged"' \ .
You're John Hackaway, the great
football player, aren't you?"
I'm Hackaway and play football
How did you know that?" W.
II saw you play in the big game tho
day before yesterday. You were Splen
did. shouted myself hoarse wher
they carried you off the gridiron OF
their shoulders. Won't you come dOwr
to breakfast? We're late this morning
We didn't get settled very early las
night"
You're very kind. | invited mysel
to bed | won't sponge on you fo
breakfast"
But the girl had gone to the door anC
shouted:
Mother, Mr.. Hackaway. the srea
football player, is up here. I'm goint
to bring him down to breakfast"
Johnny listened for the reply. 1t wa
this:
"Oh, my, goodness gracious! knew
that would be the result of her infatua
ton. Pa, Molly's gone crazy over foot
ball Go up and bring her down. Quick
Maybe she'll jump out the window"
John and the girl laughed, and JohI
proposed that he go downstairs anC
show himself. So she led the way Il
the main floor. where 2 woman was il
the kitchen frying griddlecakes. Wher
she saw the football giant she dropped
the turner and cried out:
"Oh, dear Have gone daft too?"
! Molly went into the kitchen. and be
tween her fits Of laughing John heart
her tell her mother what had happen
| ed, adding Just think. ma, what al
honor-to have such wonderful maj
for guest and not know it!'
And give him a ride to boot" re
marked John. Szz,
An introduction to the members o.
the family followed, and presently the.
all sat down to breakfast.
Zine location" remarked Jchn. feel
ing somewhat embarrassed at break
fasting under such circumstances will
strangers.
1--WE think Wen like it." was the re
ply.
much finer than the one from which
you came"
Molly snickered.
John could have eaten all there wa.
on the table, but he contentcd himsel
with his share, remembering that h,
could piece it out in a couple of hours
with dinner.
The rest of this story occupied sew
eral years. or, rather, lifetime, TO
John and Molly. John was invited Il
come again now that they were settled
and he availed himself of the invita-
ton. The old folks are dead, and Johr