Bert Wilson on the Gridiron

ng the

omething radically wrong with Martin, and personally I believe he's hitting the booze, or something just as bad. There's always

hate to see him going back. What he needs is to have somebody give him a heart-to-heart talk and point out the error of his ways to him. But

en a victim of the liquor habit and then broken himself of it can have any idea of th

ens the will just a little, and makes it just so much harder to refuse the next drink. So it goes on, in increasing ratio, until it becomes next to impossible for the victim to break himself of the hab

rld but what you're dead right. But the question is, if Martin, as we have reason to believe, has started drinking, what can we do to help him? Not only for hi

"about all we can do is sit tight, and hope he'll see the error of his wa

tle further discussion of the problem they gathered up

eing "up to their eyes in work," as Tom expressed it. But on Wednesday morning they happened to meet on the campus after the first lecture perio

eater, of course, because that would keep us up too late. But I guess he'd h

oing to propose something of the kind

personage promptly. "What time do y

matter was settled. They talked a few minutes

ment than they could give each other. What with jokes, laughter, and "monkey-shines" the time passed very quickly, and they soon found themselves on one of the main thorough

lighted saloon at the time, and Bert

" inquired Tom an

hat place. And I should think, by the way he was walking, that he'd abs

comes out, and then give him

catch him red handed," said Bert. "It may make him so asham

ick, and as Tom seemed to think so too, th

olished mahogany bar sparkled in the light, and many mirrors reflected it, so that at first their eyes were almost dazzled. Nevertheless, they had little difficu

tied the contents at two gulps. He was starting to pour out another p

aid; "we're all going back to the college

e him. He was about to speak when the bartender, who sa

nt tone; "he's got a right to take a drink or two if he wants

in his eyes, "this is our business, not yours, and if y

the efficacy of force, but as Dick and Tom ran

ht. Take the guy along wid you

three comrades prevailed on him to go with them. Bert and Tom supported him

ently. "We'd better take a roundabout course going back, so

and do a little scouting. I could meet you at the east gate and let you know if the coast is clea

quiesced Bert, "we'll get

the natatorium, and many students who ordinarily would have been apt to be wandering about on the campus were indoors watching the swimmers. Ther

search of the trio that he knew must be pretty near by this time. Sure enough, in less th

swimming meet, and we've got the campus practically to ourselves. I'll walk in front

ad predicted, found everything favorable to them. They hurried across the deserted

in the corridors, and in a very few moments h

eaving the room. "I think the best thing will be to let him sleep off

we all got at him at once, it would only make him obstinate. You do the talking for all of us, Ber

se that would be the best way to do it. I'll get hold of h

day he saw him, but Martin always managed to avoid him, more by design than accident, as Bert thought.

nt to say to you, don't you

r preaching to me about the evils of drink, or anything like that. I've tried to cut out

to keep right on being the best halfback the college ever had, but I'm going t

n," said Martin suspiciously

uff,'" said Bert. "Will you do it? Don't say no now," as the other started to shake his head, "don't give me an answ

'll let the booze alone in the future if it takes a leg. You and the ot

it," said Bert, with a hearty smile, and

s it proved, he, was right. From that day forward Martin reported regularly for practice, and kept strictly to training table regu