Mechanic Arts High School - M Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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GEMM Ah! this is easy, thought Jimmy, but his idea soon changed when he was told to stand and bend, to dive and roll, along with other things that a coach uses to put a man into condition. After practice Jimmy, stiff and sore, went to his room and to bed, without a thought of food or books. Practice during the next week was at its height. Jimmy could not study his lessons. He had other things to think about. Jimmy, try as he might, could not hit the tackling dummy as the coach wanted him to, and the coach thought Jimmy did not care. When the time came for scrim- maging, Jimmy was placed at right half on the second string. Their signals were outlined and plays started. Tlhe Varsity tore up the field, pushing the scrubs back, all the plays being aimed at Jimmyis half on account of his weakness in tackling. ' After a touchdown was scored by the Varsity, the coach gave the ball to the scrubs. The signals were called and the scrubs advanced slowly up the field. H15-48-32-6-9-l, called the quarterback. It was Jimmie's ball-his chance to make a berth on the squad. The ball snapped back. Jimmy started for the end. Viihat was coming? A tackler. Jimmy startled, became confused and stopped, to be hit by three tacklers. You big apelw bawled out the coach, 6'You white-livered pup, you haven't the guts of a mouse, get to the showersll' Jimmy, blushing with shame, did as he was told. The next afternoon Jimmy was back on the field, but things did not go so well and for the rest of the week he was in the 'idumpsf' His classes suffered-likewise the patience of his roommate. But Maryis words, 'iWhen you receive your Varsity numeral and play in the regular games, then and only then will I consider youi' stuck in his mind. This it was that gave Jimmy the power to keep driving into the Varsity line time and again, putting every ounce of strength into his drive. Gradually Jimmy learned to use his weight and his muscular shoulders to the best advantage. He watched the husky fullback throw his whole weight at the line, and Jimmy, practicing this, soon learned the trick of balancing his weight. The coach had noticed this improvement and had tried to help Jimmy along- not by pleasant words of praise but by the traditional verbal abuse affected by the usual coach. He was convinced, as scrimmages went on, that Jimmy was the man to fill -the position, so hard to fill, in his backfield. The coach had thought of putting Jimmy into the line, but Jimmy was not clever enough with his hands, and besides, he needed a heavy, quick-thinking, fleet- footed man at right half. So the coach watched Jimmy closely at practice, and the way he battered up the line and himself was convincing that he had driving power. One day at practice the scrubs had the ball on their own twenty-yard line. 15-48-32-6-9-lf' chanted the quarterback. A right end run! Zip! the ball went hurtling back straight into Jimmy's out- stretched hands. He sprang forward, a plunge, a pivot, a sidestep, and he was free of the line. On he sped ten-twenty- -thirty yards before the safety man threw him. Jimmy, dusty, bruised, but smiling was pulled from the ball by his yelling playmates. The practice went on for weeks, but a new factor had entered into the playing. The hole in the scrubs backfield had been filled by Jimmy Dyke. The evening after the last practice before the Coldren College game, the players were assembled in the coachis office for a general discussion before the game. The players were excited. The starting lineup was to be given. fllVlen,,' the coach began, 'Lhere is the starting lineup. He then called out the names of the men, but paused when he came to the eleventh man. Page Eight

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AGM!! confining his exercise to that amount requisite for health, is enough to drive any athlete mad. Jimmy was busily studying one afternoon, when Jack Reeser, his roommate, came bursting in with a yell, First football practice tomorrow! Coming out? James looked up from his book. f'Why, no! I told you that I saw no reason for going out for football. Jack groaned in despair. An impulse to tell this bozo his weakness struck him. Listen, you sapf' he shouted. You have been here for two years and what have you done for this school? Not a thing! Shut uplf' he continued as Jimmy tried to interrupt. You have looked upon yourself as one who is giving the school a break just by attending it. You think you have repaid her for your education by doing this, but you are mistaken. You havenit even joined any of her clubs or tried out for the debating contests. No! Why? Because you want to get your degree and get out. You haven't a bit of spirit. You're yellow. Jack paused to let tthis sink in. And another thing! A certain young lady has been watching your actions and, believe me, she hates cowards and those who haven't grit enough to come out for football. Even if you have to sit on the bench all year, you should come out for her sake. With this outburst, Jack walked out, leaving Jimmy amazed. He had not ex- pected such an attack from the little quarterback. So this is why Mary has been so cold and distant lately, he mused. Jack's words had cut. He had never before minded the half-concealed sneers of the athletes but maybe he'd better show them he wasn't yellow. And Mary Allyson, laughing, blue-eyed Mary, who had been his ideal of a girl since that first freshmen party-did she think he was yellow? Jimmy looked up suddenly to find himself approaching the gray stone buildings of the library. He caught sight of a slender person clad in black, her dark hair disordered by the winds, crossing the street just a half block away. There was no mistake, those saucy curls could belong to none other than Mary. Jimmy quickened his gait. Surely Mary had recognized him. He was certain she had seen him, but with a toss of her head she turned from the walk and ran up the steps of a sorority house. Jimmy stood a moment stunned, then turning walked slowly back to the college. That evening, he called Mary on the telephone. f'What did you mean by snubbing me today? he questioned. I did that because I do not want to be seen on the streets with a coward, she answered. What do you mean?,' Are you out for football? No 66 is Then that's what I mean. You did not think so last year.', I thought you would outgrow your foolishness by this timef' she told him. Mary, may I see you tomorrow? he asked. f'Sorry, Jimmy, but not until you have received your Varsity numeral, she answered and hung up. For the second time that day Jimmy was told what was what. He sat up late: that night thinking over what he should do. Long after all the rest of the school slept, Jimmy still sat in his chair. The next afternoon, the school was shaken by the news that Jimmy Dyke was out for football. Jimmy had reported for practice and had been issued his equipment under the supervision of the coach. A whistle blew, and the coach instructed fthe men to run around the cinder track. Running was Jimmyis 'fmeatf' He had kept himself fit and was soon among the leaders. 44 GG Page Seven

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THE HMM HAH these menf' continued the coach, 'cstart the game with the addition of one more. A few days ago, one of the boys in this room made a mistake. I thought, at the time, he was yellow, and told him so, but this man has proved that he is worthy of a place on the team. Tomorrow he receives his chance. Tomorrow Jimmy Dyke starts at right halff, Something entered Jimmy, a strange feeling, a power, a something that made him want to do something great for the coach and for the school. The next'day saw a Random football man raised to the heights of stardom. The score was six to nothing in the favor of Coldren and the last quarter had just started. Jimmy had taken the ball against a stone wall and when the scrimmage was untangled, he was dragged from beneath a heap of players, unable to regain his feet. He lay on the grass, a huddled heap, blood smearing his forehead. A surgeon and trainer doused and bandaged him and presently he staggered to his feet. He had to stay in the game, he was the only man to gain through the strong Coldren defense. Jimmy set his teeth with determination and hobbled to his station. Wherl, at length, the stubborn retreating Randon line had been driven back deep in her own territory, they showed that they could hold fast in the last hope. The Coldren attack crumpled against them, as if it had struck a stone wall. P Coldren then lost the ball on downs and Randon started up the field inch by inch. The third down and eight to go. Oh! How long those eight yards were! The quarterback called. 61.5-58-32-6-9-lf' It was Jimmy's signal, the ball zipped back into his cut and bleeding hands. ' His comrades managed to rip open a hole for him, he plunged through, popped clear of the line, fell to his knees, recovered his footing and plunged onward, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty yards. Jimmy's head was in a whirl, he could not see where he was going. He knew he held the pigskin under his arm. The stands were in an uproar. Jimmy used every ounce of strength in his legs and sped on which way, he did not know. Suddenly, he was hit about the knees and he fell hard to the ground, the ball still in his arms. He faintly heard the whistle of the timekeeper over the roar of the so manyAwheels in his head. The roar in his ears became louder and louder until it snapped and all was quiet. When Jimmy regained consciousness, he was lying on the trainer's table. Sev- eral people were talking somewhere in the room. The trainer was rubbing his legs, and arms and body. A towel was wrapped about his aching head. Jimmy opened his eyes and sat up. Oh, how that head hurt! Oh, you came to, did you? Just lie down and he quiet and I'll fix you up. It was the trainer's voice. Did we win? Jimmy asked in a barely audible voice. You won, old man, replied the trainer. Big tears sprang up in Jimmy's eyes and started slowly down his cheeks. Do they still think Pm yellow?', he asked as the trainer gently made him lie down. You played a splendid game, Jimmy, the whole school is proud of you.', That night after the game Jack called Jimmy to the telephone. It's Mary, he whispered as he handed the receiver to Jimmy. And she wants you to take her to the dance after the bonfire tonight. Congratulations, old boy. Jack, smiling broadly, passed out into the hall. Suddenly, he stopped. Wwhat was Jimmy saying? , So sorry, Mary, but I am in training and dances are out. Too late hours, you know. Page Nine