Behind the Line: A Story of College Life and Football

Williams or Dartmouth or Bowdoin or some other of its New England neighbors, it may be well to tell something about it.

of the campus was not planted until 1812 it has shaded many youths who in later years ha

ks within the college grounds, in smaller detachments throughout the village, in picket lines along the river and out into the country. The grass grows lush wherever it can gain hold, and, not content with having its own way on green and campus,

the largest in the history of the college. It numbered 180; but of this number we are at present chiefly interested in only two; and these two, at the moment when this chapter begins--which, to be e

r stood on a small table, which swayed perilously from side to side at his every movement, and drove nails into an already muc

ow hang The First Snow a bit

ire on it," complained Neil.

Where's that list? Oh, here it is. 'Item, picture wire.' I say

to quit until we get some more wire, eh? Or we migh

egins to look rather decent, doesn't it? We must change that couch, though

e table and landed in a heap on the floor, a

again, old man; I did

-chair that creaked complainingly, rubbed the dust from his

," he said. "Mrs. Curtis is going to get

ion: Getti

ack that didn't fall into twelve separate pieces like a Chinese puzzle

wered Neil. "Or we might buy one of those nicke

lue judged as towel-racks, but they're terribly ornamental. You know we had one in the bath-room at the beach. Rememb

wn there, Paul; and your folks were mighty good to me. Next summer I want you to come up to New Hampshire and see us for a while. Of co

I don't see how you did it. I was there pretty near all summer and you st

paper," inte

exion like a--a footb

rinned

, "did I tell you I'd

on's not going back to Hillton? Yes,

he? I'm glad they made him captain, awfully glad. I think he can turn ou

does seem funny not to be going back to old Hillton, doesn't it? I suppose after a while a

have much time to feel much of anything, I guess. Practise is cal

ldn't I think I'd pitch it all up and--and go

a chance to go at Robinson; th

p my mind to do I sometimes most always generally do. I'm not troubling, my boy; I'll sh

t quite certain as to that, but

sort of a fello

d an end as there is in college to-day; and I guess he's bound

senior,

w School next year. If he does, of course he'll get on the team there. Wel

forward and threw it open. A tall youth of twenty-

Gale and Mr. Fletcher

nd that's Fletcher. Won't you

ry for the team, I thought we'd better get acquainted." He accepted the squeaky rocking-chair and allowed Paul to take his straw hat. Nei

llton last year, and I was mighty glad when I lea

Gardiner?"

me in the spring that you were coming, and rather intimated that if I knew my busines

ing about having wri

evoe. "Well, how do you like

think it looks like rather a jolly sort of plac

" answered Devoe. "You'll like it when you get used to it. I like it so well I wish I wasn't

t get rooms in the Yard, and we liked this as well as anyth

e college in sight; it is good." Devoe brought his gaze ba

es

your w

" answered Neil. "In the spring

e heavy backs. How

hundred a

n we have are a bit light, take them all around. That's what beat us, you see; Robinson h

the mouth usually unsmiling, the chin determined, and the forehead, set off by carefully brushed dark-brown hair, high and broad. After the first few moments of conversation Devoe devoted his attention principally to Neil, questioning him regarding Gardiner's coaching methods, about Neil's experience on the gridiron, as to what studies he was taking up.

me; I'm in Morris, No. 8. We've got our work cut out this fall, and I hope we'll all pull together." He smiled across at Paul,

n he can," exclaimed Neil when Devoe was safely out of

dly and shrugge

were talking about him, wasn't it?" Ne

l answered, "I think he's