Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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i 4 THE OLLA But Jack, I have almost promised him and what am I to do? Then a brilliant idea occurred to him. Do you know, Mabel, whether Gordon expects to win the game next week or not? Yes, she said, he is so confident of win- ning that he would stake anything on the re- sult. Do you think he would stake you on the game? Jack eagerly asked. Stake me? she exclaimed. Yes you. Do you think you could get Gordon to consent to let the game decide. If he wins 1 will leave him a clear field, and if 1 win he must do the same for me. But Jack, she asked anxiously, are you sure you will win, Ralph seems confident that you won ' t? We will win, 1 know, he said seriously, for although they are heavier than we are and have a lot of fallen stars, yet our f el - lovs have got the grit and the team-work and we will give a good account of ourselves. You see 1 am as confident as Gordon since 1 am will- ing to stake you on the game also. If you feel certain that you will win, Jack, 1 will tell Ralph that the game must decide between you, and 1 think he will agree since 1 am sure, she had added archly, that he is a little jealous of you. It hadn ' t taken much persuasion, as Mabel told Jack afterwards, for Gordon was so confi- dent of victory that the thought of defeat never entered his mind, and he imagined it would be an easy way to rid himself of a dangerous rival. But to return to the game, Jack ' s counten- ance brightened as the whistle sounded and the Hanford full-back sent the ball sailing through the air on the first kick-off, straight into the arms of Buckeley ' s left half-back. Like a flash he was off toward the right side of the field but as he sped by Jack, running in opposite direction, he passed the ball back to him and the wily captain was away on one of the runs that made him famous. Three, six, nine, eleven of the white chalk lines were left behind as dodging and straight-arming, he P O D R 1 D A slipped past by the crimson jerseys. It seemed that he was bound for a touch-down, when the rival full-back, Ralph Gordon, tack- led him on the sixty-five-yard line. It was a glorious run — sixty yards— but not to a touch- down. For a few moments pandemonium reigned among the Buckeley sympathizers, but it quickly dwindled to a su rprised silence when the Hanford team took the ball on downs. Jack ' s run had been due to a momentary ex- cess of zeal on the part of the Hanfordites and when they saw the result of their care- lessness, they settled down to work. Up and down the field the ball was carried by fierce line-bucking, repeatedly changing hands, and now one line, now the other held for downs. Captain Jack was playing as he had never played before, for he knew that a pretty pair of brown eyes were anxiously following him in every play, but for once his accurate passing and splendid generalship seemed of no avail. The first half ended without either team scoring and when the second half began, the excitement rose to a fever heat. The team work of Buckeley was perfect and slowly and surely they were forcing Hanford backwards. Suddenly a spectator cried, By Jove! but that was a tumble! Mabel looked across the field and saw the mass of writhing humanity untangle itself, but there lay one form, white and still, on the ground. The figure was borne off the gridiron, another player was substituted and the game went on, but that motionless fig- ure held a fascination for Mabel. She followed with her eyes, and as it was carried past the spectators her heart gave a great leap. It was Jack! She started from her seat but then she re- membered that she was not yet his; the game must decide. Offering many silent prayers for Jack, she watched with dismay the Han- ford team bucking their way steadily down the field. Now they were only five yards from the goal and it seemed that a touchdown was bound to be made. But Buckely responded to the entreaties of her rooters and got the ball on downs, when they soon kicked it out of danger.

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THE OLLA PODR1DA 13 set to hard, unaccustomed work and night found him worn out and in no mood for writing. Then he began to have doubts, and he feared that perhaps she didn ' t care for him and that she had avoided him purposely. Troubled with such misgivings, nearly a year had gone by and September had come. During this time Jack had heard but little from his college friends and nothing at all concerning her who was uppermost in his mind. But one day the weekly mail-carrier rode into camp and the men, eager for news, crowded around him. Jack strolled up indifferently, not expecting any mail, and was agreeably surprised when he was handed a letter whose writing he recog- nized as that of his chum, the half-back on the team. Dear Jack, he read, 1 suppose you are awfully mad because 1 have not written more often, and bknow I have treated you shabbily, but really between ' digging ' and social affairs and foot-ball practice I haven ' t had much time; and, you know, 1 never was, much at keeping up my end of a correspondence. How I wish you were here, Jack ! The freshman quarter is punk. The men have little confidence in him and the team-work is as ragged as anything. Can ' t you possibly come back this fall, Jack ? Say, you remember Mabel Thurston whom we used to discuss so much up in your room ? — well there is a report that she is engaged to Ralph Gordon, the captain of the Hanford foot- ball team. 1 don ' t believe it, though, for I think she had a ' soft spot ' in her heart for you. Eh, Jack? I have found out a few secrets lately, Jack, and if you are wise it won ' t be long before you are back on Buckeley campus passing the ball for the Varsity and passing your time with — well I guess you can fill in her name, Jack. For the next few days Jack considered ser- iously what he should do. Should he give up a good position to play foot-ball ? No, never ! But when he thought of Mabel Thurston, strange as it may seem, he suddenly became more interested in football and finally persuaded himself that he ought immediately return to the aid of the team. The next week saw Jack passing the ball on Buckeley gridiron, and team work becoming nearer perfect. The Varsity realized as it had never done before how much Jack added to the strength of the team, and so at the election Jack was unanimously chosen captain. The day of the game between Buckeley and Hanford arrived. The air was crisp and cold and the field in an excellent condition. All of the Buckeley team felt hopeful and confident — all except Jack. Too much depended on the game to permit him to be cheerful. Not only the honor of the college but also the brightness of all his future life depended perhaps, on a solitary run, or a lucky goal from the field. It came about in this way. On the evening of the last rally he had walked home with Mabel and had told her all that was in his heart. At this revelation, he felt her arm tremble and with a voice full of suppressed emotion she exclaimed, O Jack! why didn ' t you tell me before? As you never wrote I thought you didn ' t care for me, and now 1 have half given my promise to Gordon. He is so persistent in his suit that he seems deter- mined to win me at all costs. Then, Jack, you know Gordon is a fine fellow, and Father and Mother are as anxious for me to accept him as he himself is. You know Papa ' s busi- ness has been in a bad state lately, and unless he receives help from some quarter, failure stares him in the face. Gordon ' s father is wealthy and is willing to help if I agree. But Jack, 1 have long cared for you and, O ! how 1 wish you had told me sooner. Jack was for a moment dazed but then he said, But Mabel why can ' t 1 do as well as Gordon. When 1 was down in Arizona I ob- tained some valuable mining claims and they are paying wonderfully well. 1 could help your father just as well as Gordon, and though 1 can ' t trace my ancestry back to the May- flower, I think your parents wouldn ' t object to me on that account if you were willing, Is that true, Jack? i never knew you were wealthy. I ' ll admit that the only reason I thought of Gordon was on Papa ' s account.

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THE OLLA PODRIDA 15 Poor Jack, lying at the end of the field, slow- ly came to consciousness. He had received a blow on the head and it had dazed and weak- ened him. When he saw how the team-work was going to pieces without him, and realized what was depending on the issue of the game, he attempted to rise but could not. As he lay thus, he could seethe props which were holding up the bleachers. Could his eyes be failing him, or was his mind wandering from the effect of the blow? Surely the beams were slipping. He looked again and again; shut his eyes and looked again. He was not mistaken. High upon the bleachers he could see Mabel anxiously and fearfully watching the Hanford team gain yard after yard by Gor- don ' s fierce bucks. She was all unaware of danger. He must save her before the crowd should become aware of its danger and a mad stampede follow. The excitement lent strength to his limbs and he hurried towards her and made his way up to the place where she was sitting. When he stood beside her he whispered, Mabel, you must come with me; you are wanted. She looked at him in surprise, but there was some- thing in his eyes that made her obey and she 3 42T immediately followed him. Hurrying as fast as they could without causing alarm, they were half way to the ground when Jack felt the bleachers tremble beneath him and hastily turning he seized Mabel under one arm, just as he was accustomed to hold the little half-back while helping him along. Far out he sprang at the moment when the bleachers collapsed and the people were hurled to injury and death. But having saved Mabel, Jack ' s weakness returned and he would have fallen heavily to the ground if Mabel had not caught him. Down on her knees she sank beside him amid the cries and groans of the injured. Mabel lifted Jack ' s head to her lap just as the eyelids flick- ered and opened, and the eyes gazed wonder- ment at the sweet face bending over him. Mabel, he murmured, and his eyes closed again. She chafed his face and hands and Jack re- turned to consciousness. Did we win? he asked anxiously. Neither side scored, she said, but I — I think that you that you won Jack. And some- how her hand crept into his. William S. Andrews. A O W. C. C, who is this maiden rare, This fairy queen with her curly hair, Whose voice is like a silvery bell, This stately one you love so well? Is she a maiden who lives and sleeps, Is she a princess one seldom meets, Or is she a dream of vapcrs thin, Who only lives when the fire grows dim? QUESTION NAUGHTY The class was ' merged in English deep] In long dull silence seeming sleep. Then with a wrap the door ope ' d wide And there stood Jimmie in his pride. Is she a belle of the B. H. S., Is she a middler. Junior, or much less Of the baby class who torment our life With their nonsense and their strife? Come, do not keep this vision fair, All alone, but let us share Her stately grace, her beauty rare, Her silvery laugh, and her curly hair. T H R E. PHOTO. Straightway told he with portly airs, The middle class to march down stairs, For the board had given a permit To a photo man to photo it. Soon as the words were through his lips Young Potter through the doorway slips Fell down the stairway with a rush — The camera caught a photo ' ed blush. S. C. H., ' 03.