The Coolidge examiner., 1934-01-12
APPLAUSE
e
By r. FL. WILKINSON
G. 1888. Bell syndicate.-wNUs Service.

school and entered Brew
ster college, he had but one purpose
in mind: Football.
Scholastic standing meant moth
ing. Culture meant nothing. Fra
ternities meant nothing. Goods
meant nothing.
He had but a single vision: To
pick up the ball on Brewster's five
yard line and race % yards to the
opposing goal line, with the roar and
applause of $4,000 spectators in his
ears. He wanted this more than
anything. The roaring applause of
the crowds.
Because Of these things Frank
had a lot to learn.
First, he discovered that he
couldn't even play on the football
team unless he was up in his stud
les.
Second, he wouldn't even be con-
sidered for the varsity until his Sec
ond year.
Third, he had a lot Of competition
there were some 800 huskies out
to make the team, and only about 60
to be chosen.
Fourth, he had to possess unusual
strength, skill and ability in order
to receive the plaudits of the crowds.
1t wasn't like back in Maplewood.
There he had been star. The star.
There were only Is players on the
whole team. And during game,
the stand cheered him every time
he picked up the ball. The cheers
were music to his ears. His inspira-
tion.
But because Frank had his heart
set on becoming a big football man,
he aimed to overcome the obstacles
that stood In his way.
And he succeeded remarkably
well.
His scholastic standing was low,
but it made him eligible for the
team.
He spent a long. weary year wait
ing for his sophomore term to roll
around, and then went out to make
the team.
The very energy and eagerness
he displayed, coupled with funda-
mental knowledge Of the game, won
him place on the subs.
Frank was proud and reasonably
happy, but by no means content.
The first year he wasn't allowed
to play In a single game. There
were others much better. much
more skilled.
He spent hour after hour warm
ing a bench while the great crowds
cheered his teammates on to vic
tory.
Is The second year Coach Prince
gave him a chance early In the sea-
son.
He was sent out to substitute for
a regular in one of the minor
games. Brewster was well in the
lead when Frank Joined the line
up, and he knew that Coach Prince
was giving the substitutes a chance
to get into a real game, with not
much to lose II they blundered.
But Frank didn't care.
He saw the great crowds, felt the
old thrill and determined to make
the best of his opportunity.
The quarterback gave Frank the
ball on the very first play.
He sprinted with 1t around left
end and made three-yard gain be-
fore being tossed. Well satisfied
with himself Frank stood up, un-
consciously listening for the cheers
of the crowd.
But the crowd was silent.
This, to them. wasn't anything to
get excited about.
Indeed some Of them were al
ready leaving the stands.
Frank felt sick.
He wasn't used TO this. He was
used to hearing hundreds of spec
tators below his name after such a
play.
Here thousands were silent. 1t
unnerved him.
The next play went to him and
he fumbled. The opposition recov-
cred, and for the first time in his
life Frank heard himself being
razzed by an ungracious crowd.
Two more plays and the game
ended. Frank walked from the
field sick at heart, utterly defect
ed. low in spirits.
Back in his room he flung him
self on his bed and cried. He knew
that Coach Prince wouldn't give
him another chance that season.
During the winter that followed
and the next summer Frank Storey
struggled to overcome the thing
that had lost him his great opportu-
nifty.
Without a thought of giving up,
more determined than ever to at
tain the goal he had aimed at when
first coming to college, Frank re-
ported for early training and when