The Boys of Columbia High on the Gridiron : or, the Struggle for the Silver Cup

a splend

hizzing through the air, turning o

old Sorreltop

it, too. That's going s

ow Clack's got the ball, and a clear field ahead for a run! Go it, you wild broncho!

tical Jack Eastwick, as he watched the rapidly nearing figures

belongs with the regulars. He's too good for the scrub team. Mark my words,

last year. Bones Shadduck taught him all he knows about the game. Take him away from his tea

ects seemed dark and forbidding, than all other elements combined. As soon as it boomed out over a hotly-contested field, ever

Tony Gilpin still entertained great hopes of holding his place on the regular team; but his play was not up to the standa

team, it can be easily understood why Tony showed so mu

ng the scrub eleven do things." remarked Charlie Scott, one of the group. "It can't be pos

rest for a day. When I tackle I'm apt to go at a man without regard to c

mmented Herman, with fatherly interest, and simply a desire to see the best man on the regular te

as he once again shot a look of hatred toward the

er, with Clifford nearly four miles above, and the manufa

blossomed out into a league. In various sports they were determined rivals, and the summer just passed had witnes

h was jealous of the others when it came to giving spreads. Many of the deeply interesting happenings along this line that marked the preceding Win

l of games mapped out for the schedule between the three schools. What thrilling contests took place, and with what final results, ca

f the high schools had been set down for observance. To enjoy the humor of the tub races, and experience the thrills that accompanied the flight of the rival four-oared and

he highly-colored leaves from the woods along the banks of the picturesque Harrapin, there was hea

year while a student at the high school, had offered a beautiful silver cup to th

crowds stood before the window of the silversmith's s

boasted as to their intention to carry that same trophy home w

the scrub team consisted of various typ

full well that Asa Barnes, now a senior, and a class ahead of him, had only bitter

fraternity. To their disgust, however, they were blackballed, some among the members o

esponsible for their humiliation. They never accused him of it, but nur

ordinarily ugly as he str

down his position as a Columbia half-back against the aspirations of Ralph West, the boy from Pauldin

along. "You said you'd be square with me. What d'ye think of that

looked upon as a species of snake, and had few friends. Even those who did go with him, on

he neck!" he replied cheerfully, with a grin that told

y half-back better than I do? I'm not from Missouri, but, all the same, I want to know; for it's go

ans something. I never saw a quicker half-back in my life; and when it comes to making a tackle, the fellow doesn't really know

ning his sincerity. Asa liked to see anyone squirm, and often did and said things just for that privile

hissed the enraged boy, laying a q

hen I predict that, unless something unusual happens between now and next Saturday

fairly gla

l plain about it,

ion. But, all the same now, I don't think this disast

hat's going to preven

mptly. "Remember what we agreed to do about that Bones Shadduck, for getting us kno

be able to play football again for weeks? Are you game, or do you mean to egg me

es told of a fierce desire to do something mea

to get offended when they doubted his word. Another boy might have shown temper, but Asa never did this. He might grit his teeth be

ly be considered as possessing any consideration for a comrade. "I've got my own little axe to grind, you see. The fellow happen

at we're going to lay for both Ralph and Bones at the very first chance, wi

of three bully fellows who happen to have it in for either Ralph or Bones. You get as many, and then there

ot to speak of possibly a broken rib or two, he ain

a quick look at

ppened to be seriously hurt, we might be called o

d again, having paused to exchange the s

aised above an old log that lay just within the edge of the woods,