New London High School - Whaler Yearbook (New London, CT)

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BUEKKLEY NEWS 5 day still rankled in their minds. Some sympathized with Hobson and his mates, some laid the cause of the defeat at the unfavoring door of fate, while a few did not refrain from saying that they were too disappointed to feel any sympathy. It was on minds such as these that the news of the disbanding came. Never before had a captain favored disbanding. Certainly there was just cause for dissatisfactiou with Hobson’s decision. But as often is the case the very opposite occurred from that which ordinarily one might expect. No such opinion was aroused. Those who really did express an opposing word, felt in their hearts a sensation of relief from that which had promised to be a thorn in Halfax’s side. Do not let me induce you to think for a moment that Halfax was made up of a quitting contingent, for this would be far from true. Had it been debated beforehand they would never have sanctioned it, but since there could be no blame placed at their thresholds they naturally did not think that it was necessary to display their opposition to the wishes of Captain Hobson. But their minds were to experience still another surprise before that morning was over. About ten o’clock the following announcement was placed on the bulletin board:—“Members of the Foot Ball Team appear at 2 p. m. in the gym.’’ Immediately glances began to be exchanged throughout the class room. What was Hobson going to do? Had he changed his mind? Had the school doctor at last surrendered ? Could Matthew play ? Oh! if they only could beat Mildon in that game next Friday. When recitations were over many sought Hobson to learn for sure just what he was going to do. Their search however, was unsuccessful. Hobson could not be found. It was learned that he had gone to the neighboring town that morning and had left word that he would be at the gym by 2 o’clock. During the next few hours, air castles were built at an enormous rate. Not a few of the members of the team were inclined to hint that Mildon would sing a different tune after the next game. Two o’clock came. One by one the members of team appeared. Soon all those who yesterday had been humbled by

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4 BULKELEY NEWS plish anything unless the fellows here at school aid him. He has arranged a good program and the only thing which remains to be seen is how the classes will back him up. If everybody comes out the meet will surely be a success. Manager Chipinan expects not only the Post Graduates, the Seniors and the Mid-dlers, but also the Juniors. Let every class strive to win the meet and then let every Bulkeley fellow who gets the chance run his head off to defeat the Manual Training School. If the fellows here at school will only aid the manager in every possible way, the Black and Orange will surely be a symbol of success. Uictory (CONTINUED.) $0 now he was attempting to make his comrades feel glad, something which according to all appearances they were strongly preverse to doing. Seeing that his teammates were all sorry that the team was thus coming to such an undesirable climax he wisely refrained from showing any opposition to their opinions and followed them out. But there was one who was depressed in as great a degree as Philden was happy and he was the trainer. The sudden changing scenes had been too much for him. Hobson’s last remarks had fairly astounded him and as he watched them filing out the door angrily lamented, “ I might have known better. I ought to have known that Hobson was out of sorts, but same as usual, I had to put my foot in it. If I’d only kept my mouth shut they’d be playing next Friday. There’s a whole week’s board gone. Maria ’ll say I am a goose.” He walked out and slammed the door shut behind him, leaving the Gym. as quiet as a church. The morrow came. Soon students gathered here and there, all involved in one absorbing theme. The game of yester-

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6 BULKELEY NEWS their rivals were present except Hobson and Pliilden. At last Philden arrived. He saluted everybody with a general hallo and then began to joke with the fellows about him. “I’m glad that Philden’s not going to sulk,’’ said one of the fellows to his friend. But Philden had other reasons than the above for feeling, or at least feigning happiness. He did not think for a moment that Hobson had changed his mind. He felt confident that the game next Friday had been canceled for good. He believed that Hobson had called them together for a different reason and that Hobson planned to elect the captain for the following year, but his sureness on this topic soon began to wane. As he heard the remarks of his teammates he could not help, but feel that they had some ground for their hope that they would have a chance to square up with Mildon. This was more impressed upon him when Canfield entered. He was immediately surrounded by the members of the team, all of whom thought that the manager, since he roomed with the captain, would certainly know something about the notice on the bulletin board. Philden did not join the crowd, but stood on the outside and listened attentively to what Canfield had to say for he hated to see anyone lauded or praised by his companions. All Canfield could say was that Hobson had seemed sorry about canceling the game. He added that the captain must have gone to the city early in the morning. A few minutes later Hobson arrived. As he entered the door everyone present saw plainly that he was by no means in a joyous mood. They all saluted him pleasantly for he was liked by everyone, being a fellow of few words and possessing a kindly spirit and a jovial way and was always just to his companions. At the pleasant greeting he seemed to gladden a bit and brushing back his thick hair with his hand, he forced a smile to his face and said with a voice that seemed to tingle, “ Hello, fellows.” He ascended a low platform which stood at the front of the room and immediately everybody sat down to hear what he had to say.