THE ATHLETIC MEET
"This beats any crowd ever seen along the Mohunk!"
That seemed to be the opinion of almost everybody, as they looked at the
densely packed grandstand, at the throng in the extra tiers of seats
raised to accommodate those who would pay a bonus in order to insure
comfort; and finally the thousands who crowded the spaces back of the
protecting ropes, all along the oval running track that, twice around,
made exactly a quarter of a mile.
It was a glorious October day; in fact many declared that "the clerk of
the weather had given Riverport the glad hand this time, for sure,"
since not a cloud broke the blue dome overhead, and the sun was just
pleasantly warm.
In the grandstand a group of girls and boys belonging to Riverport had
gathered early, having seats adjacent. And how merrily the tongues did
clatter as Cissy Anderson called attention to the clever way in which
Sid Wells carried himself, which remark would of course reach the boy's
ears in good time, as his sister, Mame, who felt almost like crying
because she could not be in line with these bold athletes, was present,
and heard everything.
Flo Temple cast admiring eyes toward the spot where Fred, clad in his
running trunks and sleeveless white shirt, talked with the track
captain, Brad Morton. For deep down in her girlish heart, Flo felt
certain that ere the day had come to a close Fred was sure to win new
glory for Riverport school.
The arrangements for the athletic meet had been carefully worked out. In
the first place there was a Director of the games, in whose hands every
important question was placed for disposal. A gentleman residing in
Paulding of late, who had gained considerable fame himself as an athlete
in college, had been chosen director. His name was De Camp, and he was
said to be a member of the wonderful family who have figured so
prominently in college athletics in the past.
Then there was a referee, really the most important of all officers,
whose decision was to settle every close match. The starter was to have
charge of each competition, measuring distances accurately, so that
there should be no reason for dissatisfaction. A number of gentlemen had
been asked to serve as inspectors, to assist the referee, especially in
the running matches, and the five mile road competition in particular,
being stationed at certain points along the course to observe how the
numerous contestants behaved, and penalize those who broke the rules.
Of course there were the usual official scorers, timers, three judges
for finishes, and an equal number for the field events. These judges
were to measure each performance, and give to the scorer the exact
distance covered. According to the rules they had no power to disqualify
or penalize a contestant; but they could make alterations in the
program, so as to excuse a contestant from his field event in order to
appear in his track contest, and allow him to take his missing turn
after he had had a reasonable rest.
The hour had now come for the first event on the long program to be
carried out, and the field was cleared of all persons, whether
contestants or their admiring clusters of friends, who had gathered to
give a last good word.
When the master of ceremonies stepped out, the waves of sound gradually
died away.
"Silence! silence! let Mr. De Camp talk!" was heard here and there; and
even the most gossipy girls dared not exchange words after that.
The director, in a few happily chosen remarks, told of the great
benefit to be derived from school athletics, when properly conducted. He
also declared that the right sort of friendly competition or rivalry
between neighboring schools, bent upon excelling in various channels of
athletics, was calculated to inspire a proper ambition to win. And above
all, he observed that in such friendly contests the best of good will
should prevail, so that the vanquished might feel the sting of defeat as
little as possible.
"Be true sportsmen, boys," he finished by saying; "remember in the flush
of your victory that there is another fellow who was just as eager to
win as you were, who is feeding on the husks of defeat. Give him a
hearty cheer for his pluck. It can only add to your own glory, and
speaks well for your heart. That is all I want to say. The announcer
will now tell you the character of the first competition."
Mechanicsburg showed up in a formidable way early in the program.
Bristles Carpenter for Riverport, and Ogden for Paulding, brought out a
round of applause when they cleared the bar in the high jump; but after
it had been raised several notches above their best record, Angus Smith,
who used to play such a clever game out in left for Mechanicsburg,
easily crossed over, amid deafening cheers.
So the first event fell to the town up the river.
"Oh! that's only a taste!" boasted a Mechanicsburg boy, close to the
bevy of now rather subdued Riverport girls; "we've got plenty of that
kind. Just wait, and you'll be greatly surprised, girls. Mechanicsburg
has been keeping quiet; but oh! you Riverport! this is a day you'll
never, never forget! It spells Waterloo for yours!"
"We've heard that sort of talk before, Tody Guffey," remarked Mame
Wells, defiantly; "and when the end came where was Mechanicsburg? Why,
in the gravy, of course. We never yet started out well. Riverport needs
something to stir her blood, in order to make her boys do their best.
Now watch, and see what happens."
However, Mame, splendid "rooter" for the home squad that she was, could
not claim much glory as a prophet; for the next event was also captured
by the hustling school team from the up-river town.
It was a standing jump, and again did the long-legged Smith show his
wonderful superiority as an athlete, by beating the best the other boys
could put up.
Of course the cheers that rose were at first mostly those of the
visitors. Visions of a grand victory that would wipe out the string of
many a previous defeat, began to float before the minds of those who
shouted, and waved hats, flags and scarfs. The whole assemblage seemed
to be for Mechanicsburg, in fact; but then the same thing would be apt
to show when either of the other schools made a win. At such times
enthusiasm goes wild, and those who are enjoying the contests are ready
to cheer anything, so long as they can make a noise.
"Now we'll see a change, I guess," laughingly remarked Mame, when it was
announced that the next event would be a quarter mile sprint, with just
three entries, one from each school.
"Oh! you Colon!" shouted scores of Riverport boys as the tall athlete
came forward with his customary slouching gait, that seemed a part of
his nature; though he could straighten up when he wanted, well enough.
They were off like rabbits as the pistol sounded, and the greatest
racket broke forth as they went flying around the track. Colon kept just
behind the other two. He was craftily watching their work, and coolly
calculating just when it would be necessary for him to "put his best
foot forward."
Once they went around, with Paulding leading slightly, but Mechanicsburg
going strong, and Riverport just "loafing in the rear," as one of the
boys expressed it. But those who were experienced could see that the
wonderful Colon was just toying with his rivals.
"Right now he could dig circles around them both!" yelled little
Semi-Colon, who had the utmost faith in his cousin's ability to
accomplish every task set for him.
"Now they're three quarters done, and at the other end of the track;"
said Flo Temple; "Oh! please, please, don't delay too long, Colon!"
"Let out a link, Colon!" shrieked a megaphone holder.
"Look at him, would you; he heard you shout, all right, Sandy!" cried
one boy.
"He's got wings! He's sure flying!" whooped another.
"Say jumping like a big kangaroo! Call that running? They'll disqualify
him, you mark me, Riverport!" shrieked a disappointed Mechanicsburg
rooter, as he saw the local sprinter shoot past both the others as
though they were standing still; and come toward the finish.
"Riverport wins!" was the shout that arose on all sides.
"Wait!" answered the backers of the up-river school; "we didn't have our
best man, Wagner, in that sprint; we're saving him for the next, when
your wonder will be winded more or less. And the third sprint will be a
walkover. Oh! shout while you have the chance, Riverport; but all the
same your cake is going to be dough. We've taken your number, and the
count is two against one, so far. Mechanicsburg! All together now; three
more cheers, boys!"