The Tuckers were up at sunrise the next morning. For Uncle Eb was going
to town with Marty's pumpkins.
"You're foolish to whim thet child," said Aunt Tucker, complainingly;
"you're treating her better'n you do yer own kith an' kin."
Uncle Eb didn't reply; but an hour later he and Marty were perched on
the high wagon seat, and the sun was looking jolly at the end of the
long road to town. Marty wore Elly's hat and a plain but clean dress,
and her eyes sparkled with joy. She wanted to tell Uncle Eb how happy
and thankful she was, but she didn't dare to. So she tapped her precious
pumpkins with her toes as she was bounced about on the high spring seat.
How proud she felt when they reached the Centre and the men on the
street nodded to Uncle Eb! She wondered if they knew that the pumpkins
were all hers, and that she would soon have the money for them. Only
once in her life had she ever had any money of her own, and that was
only ten cents, which had looked as big as a silver dollar when she
first spied it lying at the road-side.
Now they had passed the post-office and were slowly climbing the
Weymouth hill toward the depot. The Centre lay in a deep valley, with
the railroad skirting the top of the hill to the east. It was a steep,
smooth hill, and the backs of the horses straightened and strained under
the crupper straps. Marty puckered up her lips and lifted on the seat,
as if to ease the load of her weight. At the middle of the climb they
stopped where a "thank you, ma'am," ribbed the hill.
"Get up," said Uncle Eb, after the horses had rested.
Just as the wheels jogged forward Marty heard a sharp crack, and then a
loud plumping and plopping from behind. She looked around and gave a cry
of alarm. For the back board of the wagon had broken out, and down the
hill her precious pumpkins were dancing and bobbing with a mellow
rumble. Before Uncle Eb could say a word, Marty sprung from the wagon
and darted behind.
"Stop! stop!" she shouted; but the renegade pumpkins acted as if they
didn't hear a word, and rolled on down the hill. In two minutes the
wagon was empty. Some of the pumpkins split open, and their rich dewy
halves, full of seeds, lay gaping in the sunshine. Farther down the
whole hill was speckled with bobbing bits of yellow, and the boys of the
Centre had begun a hilarious chase. The pumpkins seemed possessed. They
went careering through open gates and bumping against doors and casings.
They broke their heads on fences and the edges of the sidewalk, and
they sent Nick Dusenberry's old white team, that hadn't run away before
in fifteen years, snorting up the street. All the dogs barked, and the
boys shouted, and the Centre stood in its front door and cheered. Such
excitement had not stirred the village since Marston's store burned
down.
In the middle of the hill sat Marty, each arm clasping a fat pumpkin,
and the tears streaming down her freckled nose. The horses had been
frightened and had run up the hill, Uncle Eb doing his best to control
them.
[Illustration: "OH, MY PUNKINS!" SOBBED MARTY.]
"Oh, my punkins!" sobbed Marty.
"Are you hurt? Can I help you?" asked a pleasant voice.
Marty looked up. It was the postmaster's wife.
"Oh, my punkins!" choked Marty.
But the postmaster's wife bent over and questioned kindly, and Marty
told her about Tim and Uncle Eb and the pumpkins, and when she was
through there were tears in the eyes of the postmaster's wife. By this
time a crowd of men and boys had gathered. It bruised Marty's sensitive
heart that they should laugh and joke about her precious pumpkins. When
Uncle Eb came back with the team he was scowling, and when Marty asked
him to let her pick up the pumpkins he said:
"Let 'em go. I don't want 'em."
And all the way home he was silent, and Marty sat beside him biting her
lips to keep from crying. It seemed to her since her pumpkins were gone
that nothing else remained in life. As she crept off to bed that night
she heard Aunt Tucker say,
"Now, Ebenezer, you see what comes from foolin' with children's bringin'
up."
All the next day Marty's heart ached, although Uncle Eb had said, while
he was rubbing his curry-comb and brush together, "Never mind, child,"
in a tone that showed her that he was still kindly. Towards evening the
Perkins boy came with the mail.
"Here's a paper fer you, Uncle Eb," he said, "an' a letter fer Marty."
Marty flushed and trembled. The whole family looked at her. She had
never before received a letter.
The Perkins boy was holding it out. "It's a fat one, too," he said.
Uncle Eb took it, put on his spectacles, and turned it over and over.
Then he passed it to Aunt Tucker, and Elly and Susie and John all had a
peep at it. Marty stood with a rapt expression on her face and her heart
was throbbing wildly.
"Is it from Tim?" she asked.
"No, Tim can't write," said Susie, impatiently, for Susie could not help
being envious.
"Here, Marty, open it," said Uncle Eb.
Marty took it and tore the envelope with trembling fingers, Elly showing
her how. Inside there was a fat letter, and inside of that a one-dollar
bill. Little John's eyes were popping in wonder. Uncle Eb drew on his
spectacles and sat down in his rocking-chair. Marty was so excited that
she crowded up and held fast to his coat as if she feared the precious
letter might fly away. It was from the postmaster's wife, and this is
what it said:
"DEAR MARTY,--I wish to pay you for the four nice big pumpkins that
rolled into our front yard this morning. I've been wanting some
pumpkins for pies ever so long, and they came just in time. Mrs.
Brainard and Mrs. Peters also received a good supply. We enclose a
dollar in payment. Come in and call on me when you go to see Tim,
and have a piece of pie."
Marty's eyes sparkled. It wasn't so much the money as it was the fact
that the letter was written to her own self, and that some one in the
Centre knew about her.
The next day two more letters came--the postmaster's wife had done her
work well--and when Marty counted her fortune, she had $4.25.
"That's more'n we'd got fer the punkins at the depot," said Uncle Eb.
The next week Marty, all in a new dress, her money tightly knotted in
the corner of a handkerchief with pansies around the border, went to
visit Tim. On her way she stopped to see the postmaster's wife and eat
some pie made from the "visitin' punkins," as the postmaster called
them.
[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]
Two of the most important interscholastic games of the year were played
a week ago Saturday, the Exeter-Andover game at Andover, resulting in a
victory for Andover of 28-0; and the New Britain-Meriden game on the
Yale field, resulting in a victory for New Britain, 30-6.
The score of the Exeter-Andover game was somewhat of a surprise to the
supporters of both teams. The Exeter team had been looked upon as a very
strong one, and in spite of the fact that it was to play on strange
grounds it was slightly the favorite. Looking back now it seems strange
that this should have been the case, for Andover has nearly twice as
many students to draw from, and had the advantage of home grounds. It is
possible, however, that the reports of Andover's crippled condition gave
Exeter the prestige which she seemed to enjoy before time was called.
The renewal of athletic relations between the two schools was very
successfully opened by this game, and all through the day the two bodies
of players and spectators did everything in their power to let bygones
be bygones, and to contribute toward the success of the occasion.
There was a marked contrast between the playing of the two teams. Exeter
entered the competition with a certain confidence which soon became akin
to demoralization as the determined spirit of Andover began to exert
itself. Andover's play deserves great praise, and her eleven earned
every point scored. Exeter was outclassed in rushing and line-work, and
was proficient in no especial point. The Andover linesmen opened up
generous holes for their rushers when these were needed, and on end
plays their interference was compact and effective. Every Andover man
knew what was expected of him in the interference, and performed his
duty. The tackling of the whole team was sharp and sure, and exceedingly
distressing to their opponents, who were forced to call in a number of
substitutes before the end of the game.
Andover's victory is all the more creditable when we consider that the
regular captain was unable to play, and one of the best guards was not
in the game. Quimby, who acted as captain, put up a fine game and
commanded the men well. He showed that he has the powers of a good
football general. Two other players who give much promise are Elliot,
who played full-back, and Schreiber, who played left end. The former
made several good rushes, and in individual play there was no superior
to him that day. Schreiber broke up every mass of interference that
assailed his end, and frequently tackled the runner for a loss. Burdick
at right end displayed unusual talent, and from obscurity sprang into
prominence by his bearing and skilful rushes. Pierson at centre was a
stonewall, and did excellent work in making holes besides.
The Exeter players had but little method in their play, and were
deplorably weak in team-work. The line was ragged, and, although heavy,
it was no match for Andover's stocky forwards. Shaw, at end, made
several brilliant tackles, but made as many costly failures. Highly, at
tackle, managed to stop the heavy push plays of Andover, but was not
able to break through them so as to down the runner. Sawyer, who played
for a short time in the second half, was especially conspicuous for
tackling behind the line. The clean play of the game was undoubtedly due
to the efficient work of the officials, Messrs. J. H. Morse and Lorin F.
Deland, umpire and referee. They watched every detail, and maintained
strict adherence to the rules.
The detail of the play deserves some mention, and I regret that space
alone prevents me from devoting more than a few paragraphs to the
subject. Andover took the north goal, and Miller's kick-off was returned
by Quimby. Exeter began her offensive play on the 40-yard line. Whitcomb
got five yards at centre, and Miller added two at the same place.
Whitcomb worked the same position for several yards, and also left
tackle. By short plunges the centre of the field was reached, when
Andover held, and got the ball on downs. Elliot immediately booted the
leather, and as no Exeter player was ready to receive it, forty yards
were gained. Andover prevented Exeter from advancing, and had the ball
on her 25-yard line. White got in six yards at right end, and the
playing became fierce as Exeter realized the approaching danger to her
goal. Exeter braced wonderfully on her 2-yard line, and saved a
touch-down by a superhuman effort. The ball was gradually carried out
from her goal, and five yards for interference at centre aided
materially. When the 30-yard line was covered, Andover got the ball for
holding on her rival's part, and Burdick electrified the crowd by coming
out of the bunch at left end and running the whole distance for a
touch-down. It was a pretty exhibition of sprinting and interference of
Andover. The try for goal was a dismal failure, the ball falling short.
As on the first kick-off, Quimby caught and returned inside the centre
of Exeter's territory. Whitcomb got his length at centre, and Miller
added four yards to that. Syphax on a tandem play got two yards at left
tackle, and Miller the same amount nearer the centre. The middle of the
gridiron became the battle-ground, when Andover secured the ball on
downs. Andover did not want to rush, but Elliot punted well down the
field, and the Exeter half-back fumbled the ball, allowing Wheeler to
get it for his side. The referee allowed Andover five yards for
interference at centre, which put the ball on Exeter's 35-yard line. The
identical play that resulted in giving Andover her previous touch-down
was repeated by Burdick, with an improvement in the interference. Elliot
did not miss his second try for goal. Then for the third time Quimby
returned Exeter's kick-off, this time much closer to the goal-line.
Exeter could not gain at end or centre, and resorted to kicking, Miller
punting outside. Andover did not wait to rush, but kicked back, getting
the ball on her antagonist's 15-yard line because of a fumble. Elliot
was credited with four yards at centre. Holladay could not make an
impression on the line; but Burdick was equal to the emergency, and
eluded all tackles at right end, and scoring a touch-down--from which
Elliot got his goal.
Right after the next kick-off a series of kicks were exchanged between
the teams, until Andover gained the advantage at the middle line of the
field. The play still continued to be through the air, till finally
Andover settled down to a steady forward march for Exeter's goal by
reeling off rushes, at the rate of ten yards each, made by different
players in the line. When the teams lined up on the 18-yard line, Exeter
had captured the ball on downs. Miller's kick was blocked, owing to the
slowness of the pass, but Pyton was on hand to keep it in Exeter's
possession. On the 15-yard line Elliot was signalled for a goal from the
field, which did not materialize, the ball rolling in front of the
goal-posts. Time was called soon after for the end of the half.
At the start of the second half, Exeter started to rush, ignoring the
brisk wind at her back, which Andover had used so continuously and
advantageously. When a kick did come, Quimby hurried the ball back to
its original resting-ground. Elliot, by a remarkable run, in which he
leaped over an upright Exeter player, accumulated sixty yards. Play was
now being stopped after every other scrimmage for some injured Exeter
player to recuperate or be taken off. Andover resumed her plugging away
in the direction of the enemy's goal-line, getting only one setback by
losing the ball on downs; and another touch-down was scored by Elliot.
Although the final game of the Connecticut Interscholastic Football
League, between New Britain and Meriden high-schools, was in many
respects not so good an exhibition as that given by Hartford and
Bridgeport last year, it was nevertheless an interesting occasion. In
one respect, however, this year's game surpassed any school game that
has ever been played on the Yale field. This was in the display of a
system of interference by the New Britain team which proved almost
irresistible to their opponents. The backs ran in a line headed by an
end. The end was followed by one of the backs, after whom came the man
with the ball, followed by the two other backs and the second end. This
formation worked almost every time it was used, and most of New
Britain's gains were due to its practice.
The defence of both elevens was weak, Meriden's, of course, being the
weaker. Lane of Meriden was the best back of either team. He ran hard
and fast. Hubbard of Meriden worked to his greatest strength, but he was
unable to achieve much on account of a lack of interference. All the
Meriden men were remarkably good at tackling, Lane leading in this
branch as well. O'Donnell of New Britain made four of New Britain's
touch-downs, and put up an excellent game. He did some excellent
line-bucking, and is undoubtedly the cleverest full-back among the
Connecticut schools. Meehan of New Britain at quarter-back is a sure
passer, and made many hard tackles. McDonald of New Britain had it all
his own way with his opponent, Hirschfield, and made holes for the backs
whenever these were called for. He is a good tackler and a capable
ground-gainer. Porter of New Britain proved by his play in this game
that he is undoubtedly the best end-rusher in the Connecticut
Interscholastic League. He made numerous tackles, and it was but on rare
occasions that the Meriden team was able to make distance around his
end. Fitch, Flannery, and Griswold likewise did good work.
As for the detail of the game: In the first few minutes New Britain
scored by end plays and by going through Hirschfield, right tackle. The
same sort of work was kept up by New Britain until the team had scored
five touch-downs, from only one of which a goal was kicked. New Britain
started again to force her way over the Meriden line, but lost the ball
on the 20-yard mark. It was passed back to Lane, who jumped through a
hole through Buckley, and with Hubbard interfering for him, he made a
beautiful run of ninety yards and scored for Meriden. This was the most
brilliant play of the day. In the second half Meriden pulled herself
together and held New Britain much better than she had been able to do
in the first part of the game. New Britain, however, succeeded in
scoring again before time was finally called, and the score was left
30-6.
[Illustration: AROUND RIGHT END,--IN THE HOPKINSON-C. H. AND L. GAME,
BOSTON.]
The feature of the play in the recent game between Hopkinson and
Cambridge High and Latin, in the Senior League of the Boston
Interscholastic Association, was the splendid interference formed for
end plays. The accompanying illustration gives an excellent idea of how
Hopkinson made her gains. The picture shows Huntress, Hopkinson's left
half-back, taking the ball to circle right end; the left end and tackle
can plainly be seen getting into the interference on the opposite side
of the line. The camera shows distinctly the failure of the C. H. and L.
right end to put into practice what he ought to know of the game, and
follow the play around.
The score of this game was 34-0 in favor of Hopkinson. Perhaps the
weakness of the Cambridge eleven was better shown on this occasion by
its inability to hold Hopkinson for four downs more than once.
C. H. and L. also failed to make first down by rushing more than half a
dozen times; the team seemed to hold the ball only when getting it on
kick-offs or after punts. Nevertheless, C. H. and L. put up a plucky
game, and the half-backs especially worked hard behind the indifferent
interference. Lewis did by far the best work for his side, Donovan
ranking next.
In the game between Lawrenceville and the Hill School a week ago
Saturday the Jerseymen were victorious by 14-6. The game was played at
Pottstown, in the rain and on a very muddy field, and consequently the
play was limited mostly to line tactics, although Keiffer, the Hill
half-back, got around Lawrenceville's ends twice for thirty-yard runs,
and once for a fifteen-yard gain, when he scored.
On the kick-off by Lawrenceville, the ball was regained at once on the
ten-yard line by a muff by Hill's full-back, Monypenny, and in a few
plays Lawrenceville's first touch-down was made, the goal being missed.
During the rest of the first half Lawrenceville made another touch-down,
going down the field some forty yards, the plays directed on the
line-men, though this goal was also missed.
Shortly after the second half began, with the ball on Lawrenceville's
twenty-yard line, Hill sent Keiffer around the end for their only
touch-down, to which a goal was added. Lawrenceville's last touch-down
was made just before time was called, the goal being kicked this time.
Without losing the ball, some sixty yards were covered by the
Lawrenceville backs plunging through the line.
Mattis of Lawrenceville outkicked the Hill full-back, Monypenny; and the
Hill right guard, Mills, played an excellent game. Cleveland,
Lawrenceville's left half, played a very good game, considering his
short experience. The Hill School has an excellent team this year, most
of last year's players being back, and they consequently put up an
unexpectedly strong game against Lawrenceville's green team.
Lawrenceville has been unfortunate this year in having a number of
mishaps to her players just as these got into condition.
The series of games in the second section of the New York
Interscholastic Football League has been won by Trinity; the first
section is a tie among De La Salle, Berkeley, and Barnard, Berkeley
having lost, 6-0, to De La Salle last week on the play-off of the tie
game of the week previous. This all-round tie has necessitated the
arrangement of a new schedule which will be played off as follows:
November 20.--Berkeley School _vs._ Barnard School.
November 24.--De La Salle Institute _vs._ Berkeley School.
November 28.--Barnard School _vs._ De La Salle Institute.
December 5.--Championship game between Trinity School, winner of
the second section, and the winner of the first section.
This last game between De La Salle and Berkeley was interesting and
exciting. The play was sharp, and both teams put forth their greatest
efforts to win. In spite of the many good plays, however, there was
considerable fumbling by the backs of both sides. The touch-down was
made in the early part of the first half. After some good rushing, De La
Salle got the ball on Berkeley's five-yard line, and then Tilford was
pushed through the line for a touch-down. Carrigan kicked the goal, and
there was no scoring done after that, although the ball was a number of
times within dangerous proximity to Berkeley's posts. The latter part of
the game was greatly interfered with by darkness.
The Trinity-Cutler game, which was played on November 12, was a fine
exhibition of football as well, and although the Cutler team proved
unable to score against its heavier opponent, it displayed good
team-work on several occasions. The game was played in the rain; but in
spite of that, both elevens showed considerable snap, and there was not
so much fumbling as might have been expected. This game was likewise
started so late in the afternoon that darkness came on before the end of
the second half, and made the play unprofitable for the players and
invisible to the on-lookers.
A rather startling announcement appeared in a New York paper last week
to the effect that St. Paul's School, Garden City, had defeated the West
Point cadets at football by the score of 16-2. As a number of readers of
this Department may have noticed this report, and would naturally expect
to find some comment on so unusual an occurrence in these columns, it
may be well to state that the report in the New York paper was entirely
unfounded. West Point never has played the St. Paul's School team, and
never has played a game away from West Point since 1893. The team
defeated by St. Paul's on the occasion in question was the Harvard
School of New York.
[Illustration: CHELTENHAM MILITARY ACADEMY FOOTBALL TEAM.
Champions of the Inter-Academic League of Philadelphia.]
The championship of the Inter-Academic A.A. of Philadelphia was won by
Cheltenham Military Academy a week ago by the defeat of Germantown,
16-10. Lack of space prevents further comment this week, but in our next
issue I hope to be able to devote to the game the space which it
deserves.
"G. S., END," asks the following questions concerning football:
1. If the ball is fumbled, and recovered by a player of the side
which fumbled, does it count as first down for that side, or second
or third down with a certain number of yards to gain? 2. If, when
the ball is fumbled and recovered, it has passed the place where it
was put in play, does the gain thus made count the same as if it
had been rushed there?
1. It counts as second or third down, as the case may be; see Rule
21, _e._ 2. Certainly; many a touch-down has thus accidentally been
made.
"A PRIMER OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL."--BY W. H. LEWIS.--16MO, PAPER, 75 CENTS.
THE GRADUATE.
* * * * *
Some people are a bit thick-headed. The following has been communicated
by a doctor in an extensive Highland parish:
One morning he received a letter from a remote corner of his parish,
written by a man who stated that he was unwell and would like to be
prescribed for. He was sorry he could not come to the hospital himself,
on account of the distance. The physician was rather puzzled at this
request, so he wrote, saying it was much more satisfactory to see the
patient; but if he could not possibly come, it was necessary at least to
send some account of his symptoms. Next morning's mail brought the man's
photo, which happened to have been taken twenty years before.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Arnold
Constable & Co
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