Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

Page 127 text:

W The Trick That Failed Never has a movie been more enthusiastically heralded than this, filmed as we filmed it, with the F. H. S. Squad as the stars. The scenario was submitted by Wiley Garret, and we have worked toward its success unceasingly. THE TRICK THAT FAILED HE annual clash between Greggan and Oldsburg High Schools was just a week off, and both teams were getting ready for what they considered the most important game on their schedule. Each was confident of winning. The student body in both schools always turned out one hundred per cent strong to see the clash, and the rooting sections on both sides were a rare thing to hear. It was just a week before the game and all were practicing hard to win the struggle. Everything was running smoothly, all but Gregganis fullback. Arnett was back in one subject, and the work had to be made up before he could be eligible. As he was Greggan's best player, it would be a blow to lose him. It was decided, however, that he could take a test the day before the game, and if he passed he would be allowed to play. So he was allowed to practice with the team that week. The day of test arrived. Arnett had studied hard and had passed with flying colors. But the principal in making out the question made two copies, one to take to school and one to be filed at home in his desk. The copy that he had left at home could not be -found. The paper could be of no value to but one boy in school, and, al- though he did not think Arnett had taken the copy, he did not think it fair to let Arnett play unless the other copy was found. It had leaked out, and Oldsburg claimed that someone had taken the questions and given them to him, so that Arnett would be sure to pass in the test. This was another blow, as no one could very well take Arnett's place. Herbert Eisile was sub-fullback at the time. He had been coming out for the team for four years, and so far had not received a varsity letter. To get a letter, the boy must play three games. So far he had played in two games. As this was the last game of the season, it was his last chance to get a letter. He had been plugging along hard for four years, and now he saw his chance. As Arnett would not get to play he would be sure to be put in. The coach had called his men in the dressing room to give them a last talk before the game: Boys, this is your last and most important game. Now get in there and fight. Play the old game as you can, and I am sure you will win if you play clean, hard football. We are weakened considerably by the loss of Arnett, but if we play the old game and fight we are bound to win. Tackles, play wide, and watch for crossbacks. Guards, charge low. Eisele, I am going to start you at full, and watch for those quick snappy passes. The team that will start is: Robert and James at ends, Harry and Charles at tackles, Joseph and Sterms at guards, and Dominic center. For the backfield Jolm and Dick at 'halfs', Eisele at full, and VVilliam quarter. Now get out on the field and run through punt forma- tion up and down the field, then kick some. But before you go, all you backfield men and ends put adhesive tape on your helmets. Eisele, run out to the store and get some. As Eisele started on l1is errand he thought, Now I will get to play and get my letter-but at what a price? Greggan will lose the game. I will never be able to fill Arnett's place. As he was passing Oldsburg's dressing room he heard some one saying, Boy, but that was a nice one-to steal that copy and make Arnett ineligiblcf' Page Une Hundred Twenty-Three

Page 126 text:

W Jack-Come on, Rosie, I'm l1ungry. Let's get supper. Gimme an apron-one of Aunt Henrietta's fboth start toward kitchen, leaving Aunt Henrietta stricken with horrorj. Aunt Henrietta Qsighingj--I suppose it's got to be, and who else would I rather have her with than the son of my old school mate, Marie Wells? But what's this world coming to, next? Qgazes into spacej. QQuite a while is supposed to have elapsedj QJack appears in doorway with an apron dangling from his neck, a smudge of flour on his perspiring face, his hair tousledj Jack fsmilingj-Aunt Henrietta, may I escort you to dinner? fAunt Henri- etta laughs, takes his arm and goes outj. fCurtains pulled, to show dinner hour, and time goes on during his stay until 11:00 P. M.j Jack--Well, goodby, Rosie, I sure have enjoyed this. And goodby, Aunt Hen- rietta. I've found you loads of fun and enjoyed talking of my mother with you. Aunt H.-Thank you, and we will be glad to see you any time you wish to come again. CExit Jack. Both women watch him out of sight. Aunt Henrietta sinks into a low rocker.j Aunt H.-Well-I never in my life. Rosalind, we forgot all about going to church. What will people say about it? VVhy, I haven't missed a service for years. What's this world coming to? QRosalind convulsed with laughter, goes to her room.Q ACT IV SCENE same as in Act III, with more modern touches here and there. fRosalind, greatly transformed, enters. Her aunt looks at her short, golden curls, pink cheeks, her white nose, and her exquisitely becoming evening gownj Aunt H.-Indeed, dear, you look quite pretty tonight. Come kiss your old aunt and run along to your dance, or you'll be late. Tell Jack he must not keep you long, as you will lose your beauty sleep. ' R.-I won't stay long, Auntie dear, and I'll bring Jack in for a while when we come home. Goodby. fCurtain descends., CLapse of two hours.j fGay voices are heard outside, and Jack and Rosalind enter. After the greet- ings they sit d0wn.j Aunt H.-.lust think, Jack, Rosie will go away to college in two weeks. Jack-Aw! What's the use of her going to college? She's going to marry me and cook good dinners for me every day. Aunt H.-Is this true, Rosalind? YVell, any way, you will have to wait until you are through college. Jack-Not much sl1e won't! I've tried too long to get her to say Yes, just to let her go away and give some other man a chance to take her away from me. Aunt H.-Do you want to get married and not go away to college, Rosalind? R. Qblushingj-Yes, Auntie. Aunt H.-Well, well, what's this world coming to, anyway? CURTAIN WAH, -- Wt r, 5 i ,19-irr7'SL Page One Hundred Twenty-Two

Page 128 text:

wi MADL LEAVE -ifiwf-:im Eisele waited for no more but ran for Mr. Sterling, the High School principal, and, as luck would have it, he ran right into him. Mr. Sterling, come here a minute-quick Y What do you want, Eisele? It has something to do with the lost copy. Mr. Sterling went with Eisele. They arrived just in time to hear the same person remark: And yes, the assistant coach paid me ten dollars to steal it. Ha! Ha! to think that he passed, and that he does not get to play! They waited no longer, but ran to the dressing room and told the coach that Arnett could play. Arnett dressed as fast as he could. The coach yelled, Hurray. But he walked to Eisele and said, Eisele, I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you for proving to them that I was not a thief. Eisele muttered some- thing about for the sehooln and that they needed the best to win. The game had raged for three long quarters with neither side being able to serve. It looked as though it would end in a tie game. There were two minutes to play when Greggan held Oldsburg down on the fifty-yard line. A pass, Arnett to James, was good for ten yards. There was one minute to play when Arnett dropped back to dropkick. The crowd fell silent at such an attempt-a forty yard drop kick! Signals were called-the ball was snapped backg Arnett received it coolly and kicked a perfect drop kick. The ball went straight and high. Oh! if it would only hold out! It started to descend-it hit the cross-bar and bounded over. The crowd cheered madly, for he had made a most wonderful kick and won the game 3 to 0. At the banquet that night Eisele got his letter. As he received it, Mr. Sterling said, Not only for athletics but for loyalty to the school. Eisele knew that if he had not gone for me he would have gotten to play and would have earned his letter. But he put the school above his wants and what he had struggled for for four years, and won the game for Old Gregganln VVILEY GARRETT, '25. Word-Slaughter You will like this, so don't hesitate to read it. Word-Slaughter is a rip-roaring, side- splittingg grin-restoring comedy, and, if you have a pet worry, it is as good as a dose of medicine. ONE EXCITING NIGHT QAS exclaimed over by the Fletchett Co., Partners in Crime, Patent applied for-.J VVAS fox hunting with a number of my friends. As it began to grow late, we turned toward home, and busy with the thoughts of the fine day we had had, I dropped behind the others Cwonder if it hurtl. Accordingly, they did not miss me when my horse stumbled and threw me to the ground. The fall must have knocked me unconscious, for upon opening my eyes again darkness reigned. CWonder if it poured.l My horse was- gone and I lost my gun. QGol1y, pertection no got.j There was no moon as yet. fSure not. There was no one to moon over.Q So I could not tell east from west. I got up and started walking, hoping to find some shelter for the night. CVVas he a knight?j It was bleak December weather CBr-r-r-r-Q and the winds seemed to cut through even my heavy coat. QTook up for assault.j Wllile I plodded along I beat my hands together to keep them warm. fCruelty to dumb animals.j The limb of the tree cracked. QMust 'a broke a leg.j I looked up and discovered light in the distance. This made me feel un- aeccuntably relieved. CHul1l weight off a cedar chest. j I hurried in that direc- ..,.. .... . f if , - ,.i. Page One Hundred Twenty-Four