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

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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.

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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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BULKELEY NEWS 7 He looked them over for a moment and then huskily said, “Fellows, I went to town this morning pretty early. I wanted to send a letter to Mildon telling them that we had changed our minds and wanted to play them next Friday. I thought it over last night. I was mighty disappointed yesterday. I’d ex-spected victory as perhaps no Halfax captain has before. We had a fine team up to a week ago. When Matthew got hurt, I felt just a little blue. I knew, though, that Mildon hadn’t as many of last year’s men even then as we had and I thought we could win out just the same. You know what happened as well as I do, but ‘Doc’ came to my room last night and told me that Matthew might be able to play, if we needed him real badly, in one half next Friday. I didn’t tell him that we weren’t going to play, I felt a little ashamed. That’s why I went to town. I went to send a letter to Mildon, but it didn’t go fellows. I went to the Post Office and when I went in ‘ Gamut ’ had a letter for me. Well the whole thing of it is fellows that I’ve got to leave you. My father’s lost a pile of money so I’m going home. I was going to tell you in this meeting that we’d play next F'riday, but now' I w'ant you to elect a captain. The letter that was going to Mildon is here. I did’nt think that any captain would want to break into the season so the game is canceled. Now Canfield if you’ll tear up some of that paper back of you on the bench, we’ll get down to business.” There was not a fellow present who did not feel sorry for Hobson. There wras not one among them wrho would not have aided him had there been any opportunity. Philden felt sorry for him, but at the same time he could not but feel pleased at the prospect of his being elected captain. He felt confident that he would gain that wdiich he had coveted for three long years. He was the best player among them excepting Matthew and Hobson. He had played a fine game yesterday. There w'ere only four fellows who had any chance for election. One of these w'as Felsom, a second year man, another was Belfen, both of whom had only played on the team one year and his only other rival for the honor was Matthew, and he, much to the happiness of Philden, had been forgotten. No one had told him about the meeting