The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-24
The emporary
Quarters Of a
Football Man
By DWIGHT NORWOOD

ber, In which he carried his team
through on his own shoulders and 80
excited their gratitude that they car
interested had he been In the coming
game that he slept but little the night
before from thinking of 1t and after
1t was over went home late from talk
Ing Of 1t.
1t was midnight when Johnny pass
ed house which was being moved
from one size to another and which oc-
c,tpied neal ly the entire width of the
street SO dead tired and sleepy was
he that he was tempted to go no far
ther, but climb to the front door, ef-
feet an entrance and find 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 togs, 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
1t 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 1t. A lamp stood on
table, which he lighted, then went
upstairs. On the top floor he found a
bed that suited him and, throwing
himself on it, was asleep in two min
utes.
1t was 1 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 window. The sur
rOundings We're 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
er books in their hands.
There was sound of dainty foot
steps on the stairs. and the door was
opened. A girl, evidently preoccupied.
came In and for moment didn't no.
tice Johnny. When she did she gave
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 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?"
I'VE 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 l play football.
How did you know that?"
Il saw you play In The big game the
day before yesterday. You We're splen-
did. | shouted myself hoarse when
they carried you off the gridiron on
their shoulders. Won't you come DON
to breakfast? We're late this morning.
We didn't get settled very eaSly last
night"
You're very kind. | invited myself
to a bed; won't sponge on you for
breakfast"
But the girl had gone to the door and
shouted:
Mother, Mr.. Hackaway. the great
football player, is UP here. I'm going
to bring him down to breakfast"
Johnny listened for the reply. 1t was
this:
"Oh, my, goodness gracious! l kne "
that would be the result of her infatua-
ton. Pa, Molly's gone crazy over foot
ball. Go up and bring her down. Quicn.
Maybe she'll jump out the window"
John and the girl laughed, and John
proposed that he go downstairs and
show himself So she led the way f.,
the main floor. where woman waSin
the kitchen frying grddlecakes. When
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 heard
her tell her mother what had happen
ed, adding. Just think. ma, what an
honor-to have such Il wonderful man
for guest and not know it,
And give him ride to boot" re-
marked John.
An Introduction to the members OF
the family followed, and presently they
all sat down to breakfast.
Fine location" remarked Jchn, feel
ing somewhat embarrassed at break.
fasting under such circumstances with
strangers.
Eve think well like it." was the re.
ply.
",1uch finer than the one from which
you came"