THE GREAT MARATHON RACE
It was plainly noticeable how that vast crowd began to stir, and show
signs of increased interest when the numerous trim runners entered
for the big Marathon started to gather for the preliminary stage of
the race.
Each of the many contestants had a large number fastened upon both
the front and back of his thin upper garment. By these they might be
recognized even at a distance; and many persons carried field or
opera glasses of various types just on purpose to make out who each
runner was when he came in sight around the bend half a mile away, to
open on that last stretch that was likely to see the cruelest work of
all, if the competition chanced to be keen.
The boys, as a rule, looked very much like lithe grayhounds, for your
natural runner is light of body, and can course along like the wind.
Still, this applies more to short-distance sprinters than those whose
specialty is endurance in a fifteen- or twenty-mile race.
Several of the fellows were quite muscular in build, and gave
evidence of a grim determination such as the bulldog possesses.
These chaps might be easily distanced in the start, but they would
keep doggedly on, under the spur of the knowledge contained in that
old adage that "the race is not always to the swift."
Hugh Morgan was, perhaps, the best built of them all, neither too
heavy, nor yet betraying a weakness that would crop out after the
first five miles had been covered, as might be the case with the more
slender fellows.
They stood in line, listening to the last words of caution delivered
by Mr. Hitchens, a former Yale man who had umpired the baseball games
the preceding summer in such an impartial manner that everyone had
the utmost reliance on his fairness.
He explained to them the simple conditions of the race,--how there
must be no fouling of any kind; just how often and where the
contestants must register their names in books kept by judges on the
course; how each was supposed to give his word of honor not to accept
any sort of lift for even a dozen feet; and that the great crowd
assembled would be waiting to acclaim the first-comer as the victor
in the greatest long-distance race ever attempted by high-school
boys, at least in that particular county.
They were allowed a certain latitude as to their methods of running.
If any of them could cut across lots, and still cover the entire
course, as well as register faithfully wherever required, that was to
be their option.
Having finished his little fatherly talk, the referee stepped to one
side, and gave the word for the runners to make ready.
Every eye was glued on this or that contestant, according to the
humor of the spectator. Each Allandale visitor saw only Allandale in
that long line, swaying back and forth a trifle, like a reed shaken
in the wind. They could not believe it possible that any other
fellow had the slightest chance of coming in ahead of those
fleet-footed boys upon whose ability they pinned their full trust.
So it was with the Belleville rooters; while, of course, the natives
were certain the prize was already as good as won by Hugh Morgan; or,
it might happen to be, Horatio Juggins, "Just" Smith, or possibly
Nick Lang, the last-named looking ever so confident, as he leaned
over nearly double in his favorite crouch, his fingertips in contact
with the ground, and his knees bent.
Then came the sharp report of the pistol.
"They're off!" involuntarily exclaimed a thousand persons in unison,
as the line of nimble runners was seen to leap into action, and shoot
away with amazing speed.
There were a few little lively brushes in the start, before the
runners settled down to real business. Some were immediately left
behind, but this fact seemed to give them little concern, for they
kept jogging away as though quite happy.
Doubtless, a number had entered with no idea of covering more than a
few miles of the long course. They just enjoyed the excitement, and
the honor of being able to say they had once run in a fifteen-mile
schoolboy Marathon race.
After a bit these novices would drop out, perhaps even hasten back
with various clever excuses for giving up; and having gained the
cheers of their particular coterie of friends they could don a few
more clothes to keep off the chill, and settle back to watch the rest
of the entertainment. Their opinion would naturally be much sought
after, as to the chances of this or that genuine contestant; which
was one of the things they desired.
As it takes considerable time for even fleet-footed runners to go
over a fifteen-mile course, the sensible committee, who knew just
about how long the crowd would have to wait, had provided plenty of
amusement meanwhile.
Interspersed with a number of minor events, such as further sprinting
matches for younger entries, and some more pole vaulting, as well as
Indian club exhibitions of skill, would come the humorous features of
the meet.
These are always popular with the country people; indeed, nearly
everybody seems to welcome them as a diversion calculated to raise
hearty laughter.
There was also keen competition even in the potato race; and the
crowd yelled itself hoarse to see the antics of those who met with
all manner of mishaps when engaged in the hurdle, and the obstacle
affairs.
The boys who had engaged to try for these prizes seemed to "get their
dander up," as some fellow expressed it, and the way they struggled
and vied with one another was "equal to a circus with a brass band."
Although mention may not have been made of the fact up to now, the
Scranton band was giving of its very best from time to time, and the
air throbbed with martial music suitable to a country just then at
war with a foreign nation. It was a fair sort of band in the
bargain, and well worth listening to; so that the music really added
greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion.
When the three-legged race was pulled off the spectators howled their
sympathy with this or that pair of contestants as they hopped along,
now rolling on the ground while bound together, and, at times, even
trying to creep in desperation, when it seemed as though a difference
of opinions in the two minds trying to control what was just the same
as one pair of legs, caused confusion, and a lack of progression.
Later on came the climbing of the greased pole. This is always
comical enough, and aroused much enthusiasm. Nobody seems to be a
favorite, and each successful attempt to mount is greeted with
shrieks of laughter. So long as a valiant fellow is seen to be
steadily making his way upwards, inch by inch, he may be applauded;
but let him display the slightest hint of having "shot his bolt," and
begin to slip back again, howls of derision will greet his ears, so
that in confusion he finally gives it up, and retires in haste.
All sorts of small means are resorted to in order to allow the
contestant to get a surer grip on the slippery pole; for, up to a
certain point, these are allowable. One rubs sand in his hands, and
for a brief time this seems to enable him to do splendid work; but
then it soon wears away, and then his troubles begin; until, unable
to make further progress, he is seen to glance over his shoulder to
note how far from the ground he has risen. This is a sure sign of
weakening, and, of course, the watchful crowd again roars at him to
keep right on, that he's doing nobly, and all that; but John knows
better, and so down he comes with a rush, and passes out, shaking his
head in disgust and bitter disappointment; for possibly he had been
within five feet of the top when his energies failed him.
So the time went on, merrily enough.
Many persons were declaring they had not enjoyed such an afternoon
for years, and felt weak from so much laughter.
Watches were being consulted more and more frequently now.
"It's getting time we saw something of those chaps," could be heard
here and there, showing that numbers had figured things out, or else
received a tip from an authority in the game as to just how long it
was likely to take a fleet runner to cover fifteen miles of good road.
Anxious eyes were being strained unduly, watching the bend half a
mile beyond. It could be seen from almost any part of the field,
fortunately, though once the big board fence was in position, the
view would be partly cut off.
It had been arranged, as is always done, that when a runner was
sighted nearing the bend a gun would be fired by the sentry on duty
there, to attract the attention of the crowd, so that they might have
the first glimpse of the leading contestants, as they rounded that
abrupt curve where the view was shut off.
There was now nothing going on in the arena, the entire programme
having been carried out. Still, few, if any, left their seats,
although they had been there for several hours, it might be. The
deepest interest centered upon the completion of the Marathon race.
In comparison to this exhibition of school-boy endurance and pluck
the other affairs seemed to sink into insignificance; although at the
time they occurred doubtless those who had friends entered were
wildly excited. But then the race that has already been finished is
never as intensely interesting as the one in process of being run;
just as the fish landed never seems quite so wonderful as the fellow
who is still swimming the waters, and eyeing the baited hook as
though tempted to take a hazard.
Seconds seemed fraught with undue importance, and many impatient
fellows, upon consulting their watches, were seen to hold the same up
to their ear, as though to make sure the time-piece had not stopped,
so leaden-footed did the minutes seem to move along.
Some of the girls had commenced to sing their class songs, but in a
mild sort of way; for they did not wish to lose the sound that would
denote that a runner was in sight at the second bend, and could be
expected shortly to come into view at the head of the last half-mile
strip of road leading to the goal.
Once an engine on the railroad not far away gave a sharp whistle that
thrilled everybody, and numberless eyes were glued on the point up
the road where the first runner must appear. Then a general laugh
ran around because of the false alarm.
But everything must have an end, and that keen anxiety finally met
with its reward. Plainly came the heavy boom of the waiting gun.
Everyone craned his or her neck to see. Hearts beat quicker with
eager anticipation. Which one of the thirty contestants would be the
first to appear? There might be several in a bunch, primed for the
final sprint for goal. The very thought thrilled hearts, and added
color to cheeks, as well as made eyes sparkle with anticipation.
Allandale was not cheering now; Belleville rooters were strangely
quiet; for, so far, the outcome of the great race was still wrapped
in mystery; but the solution would soon come, they knew.
Another heavy boom told that a second runner was just around the
bend, and when a third discharge quickly followed the crowd knew
there was going to be an exciting finish to the Marathon.
Then a plainly audible sigh broke forth as the first runner was seen
rounding the bend, and starting on the home stretch, but wabbling
badly as he ran, being almost completely exhausted.