The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07
Tilden's Tennis Tales
By WILLIAM T. T1LDEN II,
Words Champion Playerl

slim them outside. ] was standing at
tho entarncc watching the protesting
spectators being herded without. when
for no particular reason I happened to
glance up at the stands from under
meath. There seated on a beam we'll
out of view and peering between the
seats was a small boy Of about thirteen
wears. He caught my eye Immediately,
and at once began making all sorts or
plcading gestures to me to keep quiet
I bcckoned him to come down. He did.
We'll, youngster keen for Tennis
I asked.
You bet: he replied. The New Zea-
land boy is much like the American
product when it comes to slang.
Going to the matches? / asked
Don, know" he replied. II can't get
seats" Who are you roofing for?'
asked. "Australia." came the reply in
stantly. But still I like the Ameri-
cans.
Look here. kid" spoke UP, I'VE
Americans need a mascot for the team.
How about taking the job" He con-
sidered my proposition carefully for
moment and then announced. sure, I'm
on"
whats your Nance" asked.
Norman he replied. Norman
NoakeS."
His Advice Proves Good.
That settled il. Ii we could acquire
a mascot having the given name Of Nor.
man RI. Brookes. l fguerd a good stroke
done. SO he was engaged. Norman took
his work seriously. In constant attend
ancc during our practice rounds, ne
never failed TO inquire into our state
OF health. He felt that the result OF
the matches depended upon his faith
fully performing his work. as much SO
as we ours. In fact. l owe to him
stroke Of good fortune. He had over
heard me remark that l wished to find
a way of wearing our national colors In
the matches. as the Australians were
planning 10 VICAR theirs.
One day Norman appeared early.
Gee. Mr.. Tilden." he announced i've
found something for you" He produced
from his pocket red, white and blue
belt Of elastic ribbon. 1t served the
purpose exactly. That belt was worn
through all my matches in the Davis
cut finals. as well as in every match
played afterwards in Australia. Today
| wear il wherever | play.
Norman's Mind Fertile.
other mascots were 10 follow. and all
Of them due TO the fertile mind Of young
Norman. One rainy day about q week
before We were TO play. Norman and
had been exploring the movies. and as,
We emerged from viewing the efforts OF
our own Mary Pickford. Norman burst
out with a new idea.
Gee Mr.. Tildcn." he said. II saw
two great mascots today-a Tiki god
and a Greensboro tennis racquet" He
hurried me to a nearby store.
There in the window was an odd look
ing Tiki a caricature Of man all
twisted out Of plum, and beside 1t
little Greensboro tennis racquet about
two inches long and exactly the shape
Of Norman f. Brookes' famous old
racquet. Within few minutes We
emeSeed from this shop with these two
mascots added 10 our possessions.
MAST say began to be filled with
the spirit Of optimism. for with Norman
himself tho belt. Tiki and the racquet,
things were looking up for America 1t
seemed 70 me that l had annexed
Brookcs name and racquet. All that
remained was TO secure his goat. That
would be a matter of play on the courts
There tho matches were. TO be fought.
Next week we will tell the story OF
them.
Copyright, 1921. Sol AetzEer.)