Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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14 THE SENIOR (M A G N E T HIS CHOICE Carl McMurray It was Friday afternoon before the big game between Center High School and Rockford High School. These two high schools have been rivals in all athletics. Center had won the basket ball and baseball championships from Rockford in the spring term. They were going to do their uttermost to make a “clean sweep” by winning the football game on the next afternoon, which victory would mean the third championship of the year. That evening the team reported as usual and went through a light, but snappy signal practice. The coach, Robert Graham, better known as “Bob,” had selected a few special plays for the final game. When he was satisfied with the workout, he called the squad around him and gave them a few directions, emphasizing training rules.” This gallant and worthy machine, composed of eleven strong, sturdy boys, was captained by Jimmie McCandless. Jimmie was Center’s dashing full back and the main figure in the team, and he was well able to handle his job. The scrubs who had helped to develop the team deserved a credit they hardly ever get. They practiced against the first team every evening after school. I he first team outplayed the second in all ways and it wasn’t much fun to play against such odds. One scrub surely deserved credit and that was Johnny White. This was his last year and he wanted to carry a large red “C” to college with him. He tried, and tried hard, but had few chances against such a worthy competitor as the captain, for full-back was also his position. He was the best backfield man on the second team, and traveled with the first, never giving up hope of getting a chance to earn his letter. I hat very evening on the way home from practice, Johnny was tempted. He met Dorothy Madison, a class-mate, and close friend of his. “There is a party at Kennedy’s tonight, said Dot, “and I wondered if you would go.” “I’m sorry,” said Johnny, but 1 have to keep training rules. Big game tomorrow, you know.” “Oh! shucks!” answered Dot, “that is what you always say. You have kept training rules better than any other member of the team and go along with them only to keep the bench warm. You haven’t been in a game this season. And your chances will be pretty slim tomorrow. What’s the use?” Johnny was in a bad fix. He knew what “Dot” had said was right. Should he go or should he not? There was just one more game to play and it was the championship game. What if Jimmie got injured? Would he be needed. He would be true to his school in case he was needed. “I don’t think I can go,” said John. Dot did not even answer him, but turned and went down the street leaving him staring after her. He supposed his friendship with Dot was at an end, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to do what was right. Saturday afternoon the boys were all arrayed in their togs of war, waiting for the coach’s signal to go onto the field. Just then the coach came in. “Boys,” said Bob,” “the game will be close and hard fought by both teams, but you can come out on top if you fight and fight for Center. Now go, and every man do his duty.” The stands were filled, the Center students on one side of the field, were out in full force, and when the team came on the field, they cheered loud and clear for the team. This gave the team a

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THE SENIOR IMAGNET 13 hear all this; he will believe me; he thinks I am wealthy. Let him think so, for it is a treat to him!” mused wise little Sadie. And thus they talked, each spoke of his desires and ambitions. Mr. Pierce talked about the poor, the friendless orphans, the suffering of the poor, and the tyranny of the rich. ‘‘It is getting late. I must be going home for I am attending a reception tonight.” And thus she left him with a dazzling smile. I le offered to take her home but she murmured thanks and excuses. It would never do for her, the head cashier, to be seen with such a shabby escort. “He is a very fine young man, but, oh, so poor and shabby,” mused Sadie as she lit her tiny gas stove to cook her evening meal. “Well, anyway, he thinks I'm some society queen. A rich guy for me, or I’ll remain Sadie Ferguson forever.” And with this wise remark, she cooked her potatoes and pork. A handsome car stopped at the entrance of a beautiful large mansion. A young man stepped out and quickly walked up to the door of the mansion. A footman came to the door and let him in. It was his home, and his servants. As he reached the library, he sank in a large chair and bowed his head. She is rich, for she talks of nothing but money. Yet I was so sure that she was the right one.” Mrs. Mike O’Donnell sat on the back porch of her tiny bungalow busily engaged in darning stockings. She laid her darning on the table and picked up the paper. What she saw in glaring headlines was indeed surprising. A photo of the young millionaire Jonathan Pierce and his bride. And by the way, she was considered one of the richest young women in America. “Can you beat that?” exclaimed Sadie. “Well, who would have thought it!” She again took up her darning, and a soft smile spread over her pretty face as she patted big Mike’s size ten socks. Suddenly she heard the gate click, and the tall muscular form of Big Mike in fireman’s uniform appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Oh, Mike, 1 thought you were never coming. You can’t guess what I baked for you today” With this puzzling remark, Mrs. O’Donnell ran into the kitchen followed by her happy husband. ----------------b.h.s.--------------- LIFE Floyd Yohe Life is but a milling race, In which for all there is a place; Some are slow, and some are fast, And there are some who are always last; Some are afraid to leave the rut, Fearing lest they get a cut; Some are content to roll along, Pushed by the shoving of the throng; Some strive onward to success, To be envied by those less. Life is only what we make it, It is either short or long; It is not the length,— But how we live it, That will help the world along.

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THE SENIOR {MAGNET good reason for wanting to win. The school was there one thousand strong to back them up. I‘he Rockford students on the other side of the field, as their team came on the field, cheered their classmates into the game. The students came from Rockford in autos, trains and street cars and numbered about two hundred. The referee blew his whistle. The “subs,” who had been warming up with the “regulars,” now took their places on the bench. The two captains in the center of the field watched the “toss up.” Center won the kick-off. A few minutes later the referee’s whistle announced the beginning of the battle. “Jimmie' made a beautiful kick and they were off. Rockford received the kick on the five yard line and carried it ten yards. They tried to break through the Center line but could not, and were forced to punt. Moore, the Center quarter-back, received the punt and carried it fifteen yards. They could not find a hole in the Rockford line in three chances and were forced to punt back. In this way the first half was battled away, neither team being able to score. I he third quarter started with a dash. Center received the kick-off and carried it twenty yards. They made ten yards on a forward pass to the right end. They were too anxious and in the next play fumbled and lost the ball. Rockford worked a trick play and an end run, leaving just fifteen yards between them and a touchdown. Here the Center line tightened up and held them. They saw they could not run the ball over the line, and in their last down called “drop kick formation,” they made a nice kick. The third quarter ended with a score of three to nothing in Rockford’s favor. The last quarter started with the Center boys determined to win. Their fighting spirit was aroused and every man did his best. The last quarter was half over. Center had the ball, but there were seventy yards between them and the goal. McCandless was called t make a line plunge, lie hit the line hard and went through. The players piled up. The referee’s whistle blew, and they all got up but one. This was “Jimmie.” He had twisted his ankle in the mix-up, and had to go out of the game. The coach called to Johnny and said, “It’s up to you. As Johnny went into the game, he heard the cheers for the captain and wondered if his name would be honored by the school veil. The team did not give up hope after losing their captain, but fought harder. Rockford had the ball with three minutes to play. Johnny, playing just behind the line, noticed the right half move out a little. He did not know what the play was, but he thought the right half had something to do with it. The minute the ball was passed, the half ran out farther and Johnny after him. The ball was being forwarded to the half-back. Johnny saw this and jumped in front of him, grabbed the ball and started down the field. He had a clear field and how he did run, pursued by the whole Rockford team. It was the most brilliant and most needed fifty-yard run ever made on that field. The whistle blew just as he crossed the line, and the game was won. Everyone was as near the v.de-Iines as they could get, cheering for all they were worth. Who for? Why, Johnny, of course. Hadn’t he won the game against the old rival, as well as the championship for the season? He was carried to the gymn on the shoulders of his team-mates. The gym was in an uproar. The coach said that it was their ony chance and Johnny was on the job. It was all luck but that is what counts. That evening, as Johnny was going home, he met Dot. She said, “I’m glad you made the choice you did, because your chance came.”