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

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4 BULKELEY NEWS he had not been called in. He heard many unpleasant comments about himself but he merely smiled, a mournful little enigmatical smile and walked o.i. Bit the impression of the smile remained and people wondered. At the end of the third period they had lost all their good men. They had played their hardest during that period and had managed to keep their opponents from scoring. But their strength was gone. The best man remaining had just, been carried senseless from the field. Middletown was the only remaining sub. As he walked out in the fourth period and took up his position as right half back, every one groaned. But Middleton merely sm led again in the same way which again set the audience to wondering. The period started off with a full back charge into the line, the ball being with Middletons side. About two yards were gained and then followed an end round run by the left half, on this run the school lost by 3 yards, his left 1 1 yards to go on the last down. The quarter-back reluctanly called Middleton s number. He ran foreward received the ball in his left arm and started around left end. Deep into the sod he dug his cleats. Round the end he spun in a great detour. His interference had been left behind. Three men lay between him and the goal. The first came at him on the right. He received the full force of Middleton’s right arm and spun around landing flat on the ground. The next made a great rush for Middleton from the left. Middleton stopped, flinched, hesitated but only for a second, his jaws snapped together his eyes sparkled, that smile appeared again upon his face. He started again. The groaning of the crowd changed to cheers and encouraging, even beseeching words. His opponent was upon him; he felt himself grasped by the shoulders. His cheeks paled, he ground his teeth and then, like, a mighty lion, he roared and with a great effort he shook his opponent from his mighty shoulders. He leaped forward .and was once again started down the field. The quarter back was about a yard in front of the goal line. He ran straight for him, ,then, directly in front of him, he doubled up, straightened up and shot between the quarter back’s legs, his hands placing the ball over the goal line immediately, amid the ringing cheers of the audience, the goal was kicked making the score, II to 6. The rest of the game the quarter back worked Middleton and the fullback for another touch down and another goal. And the game ended with a score of 1 2 to I I in favor of Middleton’s school. As soon as the referee’s whistle blew Middleton, whose face had been blanched from the moment of his encounter with the man whom he shook from his shoulders dropped to the ground.

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BULKELEY NEWS 3 “t Liddleton’s Yellow Streak-” There was something about Richard Middleton which appealed to all his classmates. He was a generous, kind, strong, young man, an all round athlete and strictly above board. No one ever heard of his having done a mean thing. But there was something about him which seemed entirely out of place and most unnatural. He was trying out for the football team. He was a good enough player, swift, quick, intelligent, and strong, but he seemed to be afraid. If anyone came to tackle him on his right side it was alright but the minute he saw anyone approach from the left he flinched. He even went so far as to drop to the ground and shout “ Down ” on one such occasion. This action was the subject of much comment among his fellows and it was finally decided that he had a yellow streak. Time wore on. His friends spoke to him frankly about his peculiar actions and warned him but he merely shook his head and smiled a smile in which could be read words of suJering and which showed that there was a painful secret behind those firmly set lips. This smile was still more unexplainable. His friends felt sorry for him but realized they could do no good. When the team was picked Middleton was not one of their number. Yet the coaches realized that his miraculous speed in a clear field, his quickness in dodging, and the firm strong opposition which he sometimes manifested were not to be neglected. Consequently he was chosen as a “sub.” The football season wore on. Games had been lost and won. On two occassions Middleton had been tried, but his fear was very evident. Once when a man came against the man who was rushing the ball and Middleton was giving the rusher interference, because the man came from the left, Middleton did not knock him away, but let him pass and he tackled the man. This made some of the students disgusted with him, but he was not taken from the team. By and by came the day of the great game. A neighboring college had de-feited them year in and year out for many years. This year they would only agree to play one game with the school. The school wished very badly to win this game and they put in their best men. But the first period ended with the score of 5 to 0 in favor of the opposing college. In the second period they still were ahead with the score of 1 1 to 0. They had played most of their strongest bulwarks. Middleton was on the field in uniform but

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BULKELEY NEWS 5 A week later, as his school mates filed in to see him, the doctor told them this story, “ Middleton was in a wreck on the rail-road shortly before he came here. His collar-bone was broken. It had just started to mend when he came. But he tore away the sling that held his arm and asked me not to let anyone know of the injury because he wanted to play football and knew that he could not if his wound was discovered. But the wound was very painful ahd he often shyed away from anyone whom he thought would touch it. In this way he acquired the reputation of a yellow streak, but he managed to keep with the team. Last Saturday the bone was dislodged and he played half the last quarter with it in that condition. It has been reset and he will be with you again soon. ” They looked at one another, unable at once, to realize the extent of the speech. Then they looked at the doctor, then at Middleton. He smiled at them, told them that what the doctor said was true and would have conversed with them more but the doctor said that he must sleep. They all tip-toed out and when they reached the outside gave a cheer for him. Everyone at the school that day heard the story and every one said the same thing. “ He’s a brick. ” A Srram. It was on a bench this summer We two sat on the sand I will always remember She softly held my -- umbrella We did not hurry homeward. For we dearly love the place. She had a box of Crammatte’s, And my hand stole around her -- Ahem The summer sun was sinking Ye Gods ! What joyful bliss. 1 loved this darling madly, So I stole a little -- bon-bon. ‘ ‘ ‘CAe Ocean freeze.