SCRANTON IN GALA ATTIRE
That was, indeed, a busy Friday with the students of Scranton High.
Lessons had been tabooed entirely, for what was the use of trying to
hold the attention of the scholars, upon dry subjects when their
thoughts continually roamed afield, and seemed concerned only with
what great things were scheduled for the next afternoon? Still,
they gathered at school, which was a sort of general headquarters
where the various committees appointed could consult, and go forth
to the work assigned to their particular charge.
The girls were just as enthusiastic as the boys, and demanded equal
representation upon a number of the said committees, especially the
ones designed for the welcome and entertainment of the vast crowds
expected to be present from neighboring towns and villages.
It was going to be an event long to be remembered in Scranton, and
the town dressed in gala attire in honor of the occasion. Flags and
banners were being displayed as though a great wave of patriotism had
overwhelmed the place. If a stranger had suddenly dropped down on
the town just then he must have believed American soldiers were on
the fighting line across in France, and that news had been cabled over
to the effect that they had met the enemy in their first engagement,
and won a decisive victory.
The fairly good town brass band had promised to be on hand, and play
during the best part of the afternoon. Then there would be a host
of refreshment booths at which Scranton's fairest daughters would
preside, accompanied in each instance by a matron of mature years,
to lend dignity to the occasion. Here the good folks from Allandale,
Belleville and other places, who honored the town with their presence
would always be warmly welcomed, and given a cup of delicious tea,
coffee or chocolate, as they preferred, accompanied with sandwiches
galore, and even cake.
Meanwhile it was planned that those who meant to take part in any of
the events on the long programme should have a last "workout" that
Friday afternoon. Saturday morning it was intended they should rest
up, so as to be in the pink of condition when the meet opened at one
o'clock.
That might seem to be an early hour, as some had argued, but the
programme was so extended at there was a possibility of darkness
creeping up on them before the fifteen-mile Marathon, the latest
event of the day, had been fully completed.
During that energetic morning at school, when boys and girls were
hustling to carry out the part of the work entrusted to them, Hugh had
managed to keep an eye on Leon Disney from time to time. He felt
pretty certain that the tricky boy had no intention of fulfilling
the promise he had made under duress, and while a threat of exposure
hung over his head, like the famous sword of Damocles, suspended by
but a single hair.
Leon watched Hugh also, and tried to act in a manner calculated
not to arouse suspicion; but Hugh understood from his actions how
matters probably stood. Leon had, of course, managed to see Nick
Lang before coming to school, and explain to him what a bad fix he
had managed to get himself in when caught in the act of breaking into
Hugh Morgan's locker at the athletic grounds building.
No doubt it had been artfully arranged between the precious pair that
Leon was to seem to keep his distance away from Nick; and if at any
other time the latter joined a group amidst whom Leon chanced to be
standing the other was to immediately move away in an ostentatious
fashion that would cause Hugh to believe he meant to keep his given
word.
But several times Hugh felt certain he detected sly winks exchanged
between Nick and his apparently estranged pal; which could only
mean that Leon was playing a double game. Still Hugh did not bother
telling anyone about the affair of the preceding night. No harm had
really been done, fortunately, and Leon might hold his evil
propensities in check for a while if he had reason to fear disclosure.
The committees were wearing their badges proudly, and each member
seemed desirous of doing everything in his or her power to render the
athletic tournament a wonderful success. Nothing like it had ever
been attempted in the county, and for that reason they were compelled
to look up all manner of accounts in papers and magazines, in order
to do things properly.
Mr. Leonard was a great help, for he, being a Princeton graduate, and
interested in all manner of athletics for years, had kept in touch
with such things. Then from various other unexpected sources
assistance cropped up. Why, even old doctor Cadmus, the leading
physician of Scranton, proved to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge
concerning the management of such an event; and it turned out that
several times long years before, in another community entirely, he
had had full charge of just such a tournament; also that he had many
articles laid away telling of the modern innovations that had
displaced the older method of doing things.
After lunch the young people began to gather on the field by squads
and battalions, and it was soon quite an animated sight, with the
girls circulating around in gaily dressed bunches, and the various
candidates going through their various stunts under the personal
supervision of Mr. Leonard.
There had been more or less talk concerning the advisability of
allowing school boys to undertake such a long Marathon race. Fifteen
miles, many thought, was far too strenuous an undertaking for lads as
yet in their teens. Full-fledged athletes only run twenty miles in
all the famous long distance races, and even at that numbers of them
do not finish, the task being too much for them.
But Mr. Leonard was of a different opinion, and he had his way. One
thing, however, he did insist on. This was that each and every
candidate entering for the Marathon fetch along with him a paper
from his family physician, stating that he had undergone a rigid
examination to ascertain whether he was in the pink of condition,
and without the slightest heart trouble.
Doctor Cadmus gladly examined all the Scranton fellows free of charge,
and it was given out to the neighboring towns, from whence aspiring
runners hailed, that the lack of such a physician's certificate would
debar any candidate from the race.
Hugh, along with several other fellows, intended to take a run of
from seven to ten miles over the course that Friday afternoon. They
did not wish to follow out the entire course, as that might injure
their prospects for the next day, so Mr. Leonard convinced them.
But half the distance would be apt to keep their muscles in good
trim.
Before making a start, however, Hugh wished to hang around, and watch
what the other fellows were doing. He was deeply interested in the
hammer throwing, as well as the sprinting, and, after seeing how well
the boys acquitted themselves, felt more than ever assured that
Scranton High would pull down quite a number of the fine prizes
offered to successful competitors.
It was while things were thus booming that a car rolled past on the
main road leading out of town. Hugh noticed it particularly, for he
chanced to be over at that side of the extensive field.
There was a chauffeur at the wheel, and in the tonneau a lady and a
boy sat, in whom Hugh quickly recognized Claude Jardine and his
mother. She held her face deliberately away from the bright scene,
as though appalled to know that so many parents in Scranton were so
unwise, almost foolish, as to allow their sons to participate in such
antics; and their daughters to attend the same.
But Hugh chuckled when he saw Claude give a quick look up at his
mother, as if to make certain she was not looking; after which he
leaned forward and stared hard and eagerly at the wonderful picture
that athletic field presented. Hugh had good eyesight, and he could
detect the longing expression in the effeminate features of the boy
whose mother seemed bent on making him a weakling and a "sissy."
"Poor Claude, I certainly do pity you," Hugh was telling himself as
the big car rolled on amidst a cloud of dust. "Deep down in your
heart you are yearning to be as other natural boys are, who have
red blood in their veins. If your dad had lived I warrant there'd
be a different story to tell, because they say he liked all kinds
of healthy sport; but, somehow, Mrs. Jardine has taken a dislike to
such things that seems to keep growing stronger all the time, until
it's become a regular mania with her. But unless she changes her
mind there'll be a day coming when she'll bitterly regret it all.
I suppose now, if she had a daughter she'd prevent her from
associating with Sue, and Ivy, and Peggy, as well as all the other
high-school girls whose mothers actually allow them to go to dances
with us boys, and even cheer the Scranton players in a rattling
good baseball game."
There was an air of feverish expectation rampant throughout the whole
town, and wherever young people got together the talk was of nothing
else save the great event on the programme for the next day. Even
many older persons seemed to have become infected with the sporting
virus, because memories of other days were being recalled; and it
was remarkable how many elderly men had once been deeply interested
in just such things, though, of course, along somewhat less modern
lines.
Then again there was an undercurrent of talk that carried a thrill
along with it. Stories that could not be confirmed, but were believed
more or less, began to be circulated to the effect that some
irresponsible parties meant to start something during the tournament
that was calculated to bring disrepute upon the town of Scranton. It
as even darkly hinted that the partly built, new, wooden fence had been
set on fire as a lark; and quads of curious boys and girls even
circulated long its entire length, bent upon ascertaining if such a
thing could really be true.
When they failed to find any evidence of a fire, they were still
unconvinced; for, of course, it would be policy on the part of the
management to conceal all traces, so as to save the good name of the
town.
These rumors could not be traced to any particular source, but there
are always a certain number of persons who delight to circulate such
stories, and, perhaps, add a little to the same with each and every
additional telling, until a trivial happening becomes a colossal thing.
That the committee in general charge of the great undertaking cherished
some sort of fear that some daring outrage might be attempted by boys
who were not connected with the high school was evident from the fact
that they had had warning notices printed at the office of the _Weekly
Courier_, notifying all boys who might contemplate playing any sort of
practical joke during the holding of the carnival that Chief Adolph
Wambold, the head of the local police, would have his entire force on
the grounds, and such offenders would be harshly treated, if detected.
The afternoon was well along when Hugh was approached by "Just" Smith,
one of the candidates who meant to try for the Marathon prize.
"Several of the boys are meaning to start off on that seven-mile spin,
Hugh," the other announced as he came up; "and they want you to come
along. We can start together, and then separate, as we feel
disposed;" and, as this suited Hugh, he agreed.