The Boys' Race
Ben felt that his chances of winning the prize were very good. Among
his schoolmates he was distinguished for his superiority in all athletic
sports. He could jump farther and run faster than any of the boys of
his age; and this was a ground of hope. On the other hand, he could
not tell how many contestants there might be. He had measured
himself against the boys of his acquaintance; but there were hundreds
of other boys in the city, and among them it was quite possible that
there might be one who surpassed him. However, Ben was always
hopeful, and determined to do his best to win.
One of the committee now came forward and announced the boys'
race. The distance was to be the same, the prize five dollars, and
there was a limitation of age. No boy over seventeen years of age
was permitted to enter.
"Are you going to compete, James?" asked Ben.
"I guess not. I don't stand any chance against you."
"I don't know about that. I might stumble or give out."
"I should like the five dollars well enough."
"Then enter your name."
"Well, I will. I may as well try."
So Ben and James were the first to enter their names.
"Are you coming in, George?" asked Ben of George Herman.
"No; I lamed myself in jumping yesterday, and am not in condition;
my brother, Frank, is going to enter. Of course he won't stand any
chance, for he is too young."
The next to put down his name was Radford Kelso.
"You can't run, Radford. You're too fat," said George Cormack.
"You're as fat as I am," retorted Radford. "I stand as much chance
as you."
Next came Arthur Clark and Frank Jones, both tall and long of limb,
and looking as if they might be dangerous rivals. Both were strangers
to Ben.
"I am afraid one of those fellows will outrun me," said Ben, aside, to
James.
"They are taller, but perhaps they can't hold out as well."
"But the course is only two hundred yards," said Ben; "that is against
me."
Just then the announcement was made, on behalf of the committee,
that the distance would be increased to three hundred yards, and that
there would be a second race of a hundred and fifty yards for boys
under fourteen, the prize being two dollars and a half.
"Frank," said George Herman to his brother, "you had better wait
and enter the second race."
"I think I will and here is Charlie. He can go in, too."
Edward Kemp, Harry Jones and George Huntingdon next entered
their names for the first race. The list was about to be declared
complete, when an active, well-made youth advanced, and expressed
a wish to compete. He had just reached the grounds, and learned
that a race was to be run. He gave his name as John Miles, from
Boston.
"Who is he, George? Do you know him?" asked Ben.
"I believe he is visiting some friends in Milltown."
"He looks as if he might run."
"He is well made for running. The question is, has he had any
training."
"That's going to decide the matter."
"Take your places, boys!"
At the order, the contestants, whose names have already been given,
took their places in line.
John Miles glanced carelessly and rather contemptuously at his rivals.
"I'll show them how to run," he said.
"You are very kind," said Frank Jones, who stood next to him. "We
never saw anybody run, you know."
"I have practiced running in a gymnasium," said Miles pompously.
"Running is the same all the world over."
"Perhaps it is; but I run on scientific principles."
Frank Jones laughed.
"You are very condescending to run with us, then."
"Oh, I go in for all the fun I can get."
"I suppose you expect to win the prize?"
"Of course I do. Who is there to prevent? You don't pretend to
run, do you?"
"Well, I've always supposed I could run a little, though I have never
run in a gymnasium; but there are better runners here than I. That
boy"--pointing to Ben--"is said to be a good runner."
"He!" said John Miles contemptuously. "Why, I'm a head taller than
he. He's a mere baby."
"Well, we shall see."
Time was called, and the signal to start was given.
The boys started almost simultaneously; Arthur Clark was fastening
a girdle about his waist, and that delayed him a little. For a few rods
all the boys kept pretty well together. Then three gradually drew
away from the rest. These three were John Miles, Frank Jones, and
Ben Bradford. Arthur Clark was just behind, but his loss at the start
put him at a disadvantage.
When the race was half over, John Miles led, while, fifteen feet
behind, Ben Bradford and Frank Jones were doing their best to
overtake him. John Miles wore upon his face the complacent smile
of assured victory.
At two hundred yards, Frank and Ben had partially closed the gap
between themselves and John Miles. Intent though he was on his
own progress, Ben had leisure to observe that Miles was beginning
to lose ground. It seemed clear that he was inferior to Ben in
sustained power.
"There is hope for me yet," thought Ben. "I am not in the least tired.
Toward the end I will put on a spurt, and see if I can't snatch the
victory from him."
"Go in and win!" exclaimed Frank Jones. "You're got more wind
than I. Don't let a stranger carry off the prize."
"Not if I can help it," said Ben.
He was now but four feet behind John, and there were fifty yards to
be run.
For the first time, John Miles became apprehensive. He turned his
head sufficiently to see that the boy whom he had considered
beneath his notice was almost at his heels.
"I can't let a baby like that beat me," he said to himself, and he
tried to increase the distance by a spurt. He gained a temporary
advantage, but lost more in the end, for the attempt exhausted his
strength, and compelled him to slacken his speed farther on.
Twenty yards from the goal the two rivals were neck and neck.
"Now for my spurt!" said Ben to himself.
He gathered himself up, and darted forward with all the strength that
was in him. He gained six feet upon his rival, which the latter tried
in vain to make up.
The excitement was intense. Popular sympathy was with Ben. He
was known to be a Milltown boy, while John Miles was a stranger.
"Put on steam, Milltown!" shouted the crowd.
"Hurrah for Boston!" called out two personal friends of John Miles.
Ben crossed the line seven feet in advance of John, amid shouts of
applause.
Frank Jones came in an easy third, and Arthur Clark ranked fourth.
"I congratulate you," said Frank to Ben, who stood, flushed and
pleased, at the goal. "You've won the prize fairly."
John Miles stood by, mortified and sullen.
"Better luck next time!" said Frank Jones. "You see we know a little
about running."
"I should have won easily enough if I hadn't had a sudden attack of
cramp," said John grumbling.
"You didn't run as if you had the cramp."
"You say so, because you don't know how fast I can run. I didn't
run at all this morning."
"That's unlucky. I wanted to see some real running."
"I should like to run the race over again," said John.
"Of course, you can't for the prize has been won."
"I don't care about the prize. I've got money enough."
"I haven't," said Ben; "I care more for the money than the victory."
"Look here!" said John. "I'll put up five dollars myself, if you'll run
with me again."
"You will?" exclaimed Ben, his eyes sparkling.
"Yes, I will."
"And you won't ask me to put up anything?"
"No."
"Then I'll run if the committee will let me."
A ready permission was obtained from the committee; but it was
stipulated that the younger boys should have their race first. To this
both contestants readily agreed, since it would give them a chance to
recover from the fatigue of the race they had just engaged in.