Bert Wilson on the Gridiron

r Sa

! Buck up, fellows.

as it was seen that the scrubs were hold

ls against the defenders of the goal, only to be thrown back without a

et that they were doormats for the "regulars," mere "sparring partners," to be straightened up with one punch and knocked down by the next. The "forlorn hope" had suddenly become a triumphant hope. The worm had turned, an

er." The things he said may not be set down here, but he gave the recording angel a busy afternoon. His words stung like whips, and under the lash of them the 'Varsity men braced themsel

at they possessed was called to the front by the prospect of impending victory. A daring run around the left end netted them twenty yards, and they gained fifteen more on downs. An eas

e, but in the general melting away of the defence had been able to do but little. The ball was now on the scrubs' forty-yard line. The player who had it fumbled in his eagerness to advance it, and the 'Varsity quarterback pounced on it like a hawk. With almost the same motion he passed it

ended with the ball in the middle of the field, and the score a tie; and a tie on the part o

not actually won it. They had really played the better game and beaten their f

fullback, and clapped him on the shoulder. But their momentary exultation was replaced by chagrin, as the

y and shamefacedly. "I don't dare to. What I'd have to say wouldn't be fit for the ears of young ladies like yo

rshot. "Gee. I'll bet life in a boiler factory would be peacef

tion," said Drake, "but I think I'd wel

eld a gridiron," grumbled Axtell. "The fellows

n of the scrubs, came along w

to come. I can see just where you 'false alarms' ge

queried Martin, b

y, tired-Wednesday, f

Henderson. "We're not dead ones yet, as you'll

ather reigning in hell than serving in heaven? I'd rat

tan, there's no one to prevent you. As for me, I'm a little particular abo

nd getting even for the day's poor showing. But such vigorous health and splendid condition as theirs could not be long a prey to gloom, and when, refreshed and glowing, they wended their way to the training table, t

life there's hope. We won't be shot at s

elding to his irrepress

is always mor

ontinents from

birds are sing

al Bert Wilson, "will be a crow. Poe's raven won't

would "despair of the Republic," as long as she produced such sons. Outdoor life, clean living and vigorous exercise had left their stamp on face and frame. They were immensely popular in the college, leaders in

ennant, after a heartbreaking struggle with the "Greys" and "Maroons," their leading rivals. The story of how he had plucked victory from defeat in that memorable fight was already a classic an

Dick, who had been the leading slugger on the nine, was peculiarly qualified by his "beef" and strength for the position of center. Bert's lightning speed-he had made t

and the least sign of wavering on their part might send them back to the scrubs. Bull Hendricks played no favorites. He was "from Missouri" and "had to be shown." His eagle eye was always looking for the weak places in the armor of his players, and no

ike a cart horse. No one can be always at the "top of his form." But after making all allowances for human weakness and occasional lapses, when he once reached a definite conclusion he was as abr

ve themselves better than the men opposed to them. The scrub of to-day might be the regular of to-morrow. They felt like the soldiers in Napoleon's army where it was said that "every private carried a marshal's

be shown that the team could be strengthened thereby, any 'Varsity man would go back to the scrubs without grumbling and "root" just as hard as ever for the team to make good. It was a pure democracy where only merit

t wonder that the coach was sore. We ought to have eaten those fellows

s away from a mouse? They simply threw a scare into us and we lo

e seen the Giants and Athletics play like a lot of schoolboys. One fellow will muff an easy fly

re batting against him, couldn't do anything but fan. Then again, there are other days when he hasn't anything on the ball but his glov

ng is rank sometimes, it's a comfort to feel that we have lots of company. But spe

orious games, and personally I'm like the donkey between the

As for courage, it's about a stand off. With three men on bases in the ninth, nobody out, and only one run needed to win, it's a sure enough test of pluck for either nine. But it needs just as much for a losing eleven to buck its way up the field and carry the ball over the goal lin

either, were 'tother dear c

when you speak of 'brute' strength, Bert, you're giving 'aid and comfort' to the enemies of football

d determination and self-control and all the other qualities that make a man successful in life. He has to keep himself in first-class physical condition, and cut out all booze and dissipation. He must learn to keep his temper, under great provocation. He must forget his selfish interests for the good of the team. And above all he has to fight, fight, fight,-

s and gentlemen, to our eloquent young

the pass made at h

e isn't looking. But if they catch on to it, the fellow is yanked out of the game and his team loses half the distance to its goal line as a penalty. So that it doesn't pay to take chances. Then, too, a fellow used to strain himself by trying to creep along even when the whole eleven was piled on him. They've cut that out. Making it four downs instead of three has led to a more open ga

easant voice behind them; and wheeling about they saw Prof

nnection with his other duties, he was also a member of the Athletic Association and took a keen interest in college sports. He himself had been a famous

ained Bert, "and agreeing that many of the rough

"You fellows seldom betray undue enthusiasm about those. But you are right about the changes broug

smile, "even that was child's play compar

ck. "Is the game

and years ago. But I was referring especially to the beginning of the game in En

aimed the bo

his head and kicked it around the streets. The gentle populace of that time took a huge liking to the game and the idea spread like wildfire. You see, it didn't c

d days of yore

ys in those days as wel

But the game itself was about as rough as ever. It was usually played in the streets, and very often, when some dispute arose about the rules, it developed into a battle royal, and the players chased each other all over the town

game, by an Englishman named Stubbs, way back in 1583. He goes for it right and left, so bitterly and yet s

it be on hard stones or ditch or dale, or valley or hill, so he has him down, and he that can serve the most of this fashion is counted the only fellow, and who but he, so that by this means their necks are broken, sometimes their backs, sometimes their arms, sometimes their noses gush forth with bl

"that's a hot one

"I'll bet the old boy himself would have been a dan

life and not much more to limb. Of course, accidents happen now and then, but that's true of every game. The old French proverb says that 'he who risks nothing, has nothing.' The element of risk in football is more than counterbalanced by the character it develops. The whole secret of

right," said T

ght particular star on his fo

rightly in his profession s

," mused Tom. "It's a bully motto, too. By the way, have you fell

with that facetious youth had taught them the fol

ested Tom. "This

a crook like you can

of them gave it up and sank. The other one, though, was made of different stuff and wouldn't give up. He kept on kicking until he had churned the milk into butter. T

proachfully, but Tom

ooth proposition," m

rt. "But, Tom," he asked, in moc

"you'd butter believe

too much, and he took to his heels, barely escaping