The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-29
ELEMENTS BREAK UP
FOOTBALL CONTEST

There was no game Yesterday at
Boulevard field between the Lynch
burg gladiators and those represent
ing Uncle Sam at the avition station
here. The elements interferred, and
what might have been an interesting
and exciting contest did not go down
into history. The details that led up
TO the calling on of the game. are
described very graphically by the
Nirslnian,s Young humorist. Tommy.
who tells the tale thusly:
some body Is always taking the JOY
out of Ilfe3' This fact Was never more
true than yesterday, when the wealth
er man put "oue over ON" the Virgin
ia Christian college, and the Aviation
squadron eievens. The stage had been
set on the day before, the skies clear,
plenty of pep and enthusiasm domi,
mating both sets of players and fol
lowers. Each player had, as he placed
his head on his pillow and closed his
peppers the night before, fond visions
of a, golden wreath of victory and a
%hooping big thanksgiving dinner.
featuring Turkey. and everything"
But 10. with the coming of Il new
day. and Thanksgiving. came also
| pouring rain not the kind which like
a summer shower comes with a gus
| to and ends in a like manner with
/ in few minutes, but there came a
| slow driz2ling ram. one that prom
| Uses to keep mp for a week AT the least,
one that is characteristic of this time
of year.
In an instant the fans hopes de.
parted with a swiftness like that OF
Kaiser Bill, when he Witnessed tho
continual pour of Amefica troops
into France But wait, here comes
the Eladdine news, Manager Slater OF
the aero eleven. defiant of the
pouring rain, defiant OF the wind an !
slush. defiant Of the weather man and
his power announced that regardless
Of weather conditions. the game would
| he played He stated that playing in
the rain was when the aviation lads
| shiued," and ,he 1nudaier- the field
I was fssv 4a}ers lerN the game.
SO with thia statement in mind the
few faithful, though stii with a
shy feeling that something would
happen, journeyed toward the
grounds. At the intersection ot
Broad and Robinson streets came the
first III omen besides the downpour
ing rain. The car company was TAX
ing all of the extra cars off, that had
been put on the fair ground line 70,
the benefit Of the fans. Stil though
with a feeling ot uneasiness in then
hearts, they made their way on 10 the
field.
The players, true to their word
were on hand bright and early a
little thing like rain. and mud thai
would do justice to that of Flanders
could not scare them of. they were
out TO play and play they would The
bah had been Kicked out on the grid
: iron. and the few faus, who had DE-
fed weather conditions had cleareo
their threats, preparatory TO 20
cal celebration, and OF the good PLAYA
of the players
! Just as the players trottcd out OF
the Rridiron. TO get In position for the
beginning of the game. an increase,
noise OF rain ana a funny feeling no
tiCed in the shirts of the players
''Hulio'" quoted onr uf the player:
casting his eyes heavenward, "duut
med if ii isn't going to rain harder
And 20 it WAS. In d few moments
. the drilling rain had developed intt
, a regular downpour Several brigh
, suggestions were made TO Manage
. Slater by fans standing near, as
remedy for the torrents tie an UNI
brella to each mans neck. and let 'eu
CO. shouted fedhairad rock ey
standing near. but Manager Slater di,
not feel inclined 10 adopt any of the
/ many suggestions offered. but decided
: THAT the only thing to DO WAS to cal
the affair off. until some suitable time
IN the near future. when weathui
: conditions were more favorable.
This being the only logical thins
TO do il was adopted by both teams
who packed themselves into the wait
ing army trucks and journeyed sor.
rowfuIiy away. all hopes OF victory
gone and ii VISION Of nothing Du