Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

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JACK’S VICTORY By Mary Ellen Radebaughy 19H, T was the day before the great game was to come off and everyone was very much ex- cited. In fact, there was no keeping the girls quiet and, for the boys, they were all all out coaching the team. Bedford and Ilaydenville usually played the last game of the season together, and as Bedford was ahead it was her ambition to stay there. The girls were sure that their team (as they call it) could not lose, as they had won all but one game that they had played that season, and were most sure to be the champions that year. Betty Green and her brother Jack went to Bedford. Jack was a great athlete and he was considered the best player on Bedford’s team. Betty was very anxious to have Bedford win, not because of the school, but because Jack was going to play and indeed I fear she was a little proud of “her Jack,” as she called him. The girls were all in Betty’s room that, night having a good time. Jane was making fudge and all of the other girls were sitting around on the floor anxiously waiting for the fudge to be done. Of course, the conversation immedi- ately led to the game. “Oh, I do hope we win,” said Peggy. “So do I, but I have my doubts,” said Marie. “Why, Marie Hunt! I think it is awful for you to talk that way. You know very well that we are going to win.” “But, Eleanor, just think of it! If anything should happen to any of our team we would not have one fellow who could take his place.” “That is true, but let us hope for the best.” “The fudge is done,” cried Jane, “and if you all don’t stop this quarreling over the game not one of you will get a piece, except Betty, for she is a dear and never say’s any- thing one way or the other.” “My, but that fudge is good, pass me another piece.” “Mary Smith, you are the largest pig I have ever seen.” “Well, you haven’t any room to talk,” said Peggy. “Just in the midst of this uproar a knock was heard at the door and all trembled with fear for they’ thought surely it was Mrs. Brigg coming to give them “the dickens” for being in one of the girl’s rooms so late. Of course, all of them except Betty got into the closet or any other place, so that they could not be seen. Betty went to the door and to her great surprise it was the maid with a note for “Miss Betty Green.” After the maid had left, all of the girls popped out from their hiding places to see what it was and who it was from. Betty opened the note and read aloud. “Dear Betty: I was hurt this afternoon while practic- ing and don’t think that I will be able to play. You know I am sorry’ because I had my heart set on it. “Love, “JACK.” They all stared at one another and finally Betty got up enough courage to say, “Oh, fiddlesticks! I just knew □ □ I -•j I { ( 26

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liis sister was hostess of the party, it would not be proper for her to feign illness and go to bed. VVlmt then ? At last after Herbert and his sister had argued for some time, they seized upon their poor, innocent younger brother and announced to the others that he was to put on his sister’s clothes, get in bed and be to Mr. Ralph Brown—the sick sister. Much excited, the young people resumed their game, while Herbert and his sister led away their victim, much against his will. Everything was in readiness—the sick girl was carefully arranged in bed. Mr. Brown was expected at any time. The last moment came as all last moments do, and then Herbert and his sister showed Mr. Brown into the sick- room. How very quiet everything was and how very much they feared to disturb the sick girl! After talking in whis- pers for a few minutes they quietly left the room. Oh, how fortunate that Mr. Brown had seen enough years to cause his eyes to be a little dim, for a more observant man might have drawn their little farce to an abrupt close. When all had left the room the covers of the bed slightly moved, slowly a night-capped head appeared from beneath the covers, and then a most grotesque-looking figure sat upright in bed. Aching with repressed mirth, Herbert’s brother gave full vent to his laughter. Getting out of bed he viewed himself in the mirror and laughed some more. Feeling safe now that the first interview was over, and be- lieving that he would not be called upon to play his part for some time at least, he loosened the ties of his dainty white cap and seated himself comfortably with his pipe and book. Meanwhile, Mr. Brown had grown weary of the pleasure afforded him by the young people, and, as he wandered around, suddenly decided to pay the sickroom a visit, and perhaps be of some service. Suiting the action to the word, or rather to the thought, he tip-toed upstairs and into the room. Imagine his surprise when he beheld the picture above described! Slowly and by degrees, he comprehended the situation, and unable to control himself longer, burst into a fit of laughing. Imagine again the embarrassment on the poor boy’s part, when he turned and faced Mr. Brown! By this time the sudden sound of laughter issuing from the sickroom had brought the others upon the scene. Utter despair was imprinted upon every face and many were the looks of reproach cast in the boy’s direction, who, much embarrassed, longed for power to make himself invisible. But fortunately Mr. Brown came to the relief of the sit- uation, and before everyone readily forgave Herbert’s lit- tle joke. There were many who believed him incapable of appreciating a joke, but the ridiculous side of this affair presented itself and he joined heartily in the general laugh.

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something would happen and he would not get to play, but I suppose I must make the best of it.” “I just know we will lose now,” said Marie. “Our best player gone. What shall we do?” The party had a worse ending than anyone could imag- ine for all the girls felt that Bedford was doomed with its best player out of the game. Far across the campus in one room of a certain house lay Jack in bed with a bunch of boys sitting around. Jack had not been hurt very badly, but the doctor thought it best that he did not play the next day. The boys were all down-hearted because they knew what it meant to have Jack out of the game. Ben broke the silence. “Well, I am going to bed; how about the rest of you?” “I second the motion,” said Ted, and all the boys went to their rooms. The next day Betty was permitted to go over to see Jack and to her great surprise he was up. “Why, Jack, I thought that you would be in bed,” said Betty. “Oh, no Sis, I feel a lot better today, but I am afraid I won’t get to play.” “It is too bad, Jack, but if you would play you might get hurt worse and that would never do because you know if Mother and Dad would ever find out that you were hurt they would never let. you play again.” “Yes, I know, and that’s the reason I’m not going to play.” “Now, don’t forget my advice,” cried Betty as she start- ed out of the door. The girls as usual were out on the grounds early. “Mv, but Haydenville’s men look as if they could play,” said Marie. “They sure do,” exclaimed Lucile, who was from the South. Betty was wondering where Jack was when the whistle blew for the game to begin. All was silent until Haydenvillc’s men were seen getting the ball rapidly toward their goal. The girls immediately set up a roar and it must have given courage for at once the Bedford fellows seemed to take the ball right back to their goal. At the end of the first half the score was five to five, each team having made a touchdown. Now came the task. Ben had been hurt in the first half and Bedford had no one to put in that was capable of tak- ing the place. The first whistle blew, they only had a few minutes and the question was, “Who shall it be?” “I’ll go,” said Jack. All were so astonished that they did not have time to ask him if he really thought that he ought to. Just as the last whistle blew Jack finished getting into his suit. Nothing could be heard for the cheers that went up when he walked out on the grounds. “Now, J ick, do the stunt! We must have the game,” was the cry of the crowd. Jack was determined to do something. The last half was about over and neither side had won anything. Every- one was frantic yelling, “Now is your chance, do it, do it.” It. was the time to take the chance and Jack took the ball. Everybody stood breathless until they saw that Jack had actually made a touchdown. lie had no more than made it until the referee blew the whistle and the game was out. Then such a cry as went up! “Hurrah for Jack, he’s the player, three cheers for Jack.” The girls veiled as loudly as the boys and the noise was so great that no one heard Betty exclaim, “And Jack did it all.”