Philadelphia Manual Training School - US Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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THE CHESS AND CHECKER CLUB. ONE GF Tl-IE CLUBlS MEETINGS. HE meetings of this highly intellectual and interesting club are held in the N. H. S. room, and Mr. Chiles, the great objector, wields the gavel and answers to the call of Mr. President I A Few business meetings are held, but occasionally when one is called the difficulties of the President are appalling. At the tap of the dismissal school gong a grand rush is made for boards and men. After numerous contests for favorite pieces and tables, play begins, interrupted by characteristic cries and exclamations, among which are heard such familiar chestnuts as, I'll play you chess with my king off What did you upset the board for? And one of Bartine's: W'ell, I'm going to win this time for sure Qbut he never doesj. Finally the President attempts to call the meeting to order for the transaction of necessary business. This, of course, does not interfere with the various games in progress. The Secretary usually forgets to bring the minutes of the previous meeting, which forethought, on his part, prevents the necessity of break- ing off his particular game to annoy other players by reading uninteresting memoranda to them. Meanwhile Chattin, who has no one to play with, makes him- self pleasing and agreeable by disturbing all the other games in progress, finally he overtips the board used by Cornell and Singer. The game is nearing a crisis-it culminates in Cornell making a mop of Chattin. This hurts Chattin's feelings and he retires. President Chiles calls frantically for order, and appoints Mr. Bartine sergeant-at-arms. This does not help matters imme- diately, but the disturbance finally subsides, as the players gather 54

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hundred and sixty-nine miles, and the expense of these ten trips has only amounted to one dollar and sixty-eight cents for each member. The trips at Hrst were somewhat short, as they were taken in the afternoon. But lately we have taken them on Saturdays, and average a walking distance of twenty miles. One or two of them have been over thirty. The club, as stated before, was to study nature in such a way as would be most pleasurable and beneficial-to combine recrea- tion and interest in that subject which is so often considered dry by those who study it from books. That the club has been suc- cessful in its aim can be readily proved by reading the reports, and by the reluctance with -which '89's members give it up to the succeeding classes. The best wishes we can give to it are that its history may repeat itself 53

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their chessmen from odd corners of the room, whither they had retired during the outbreak. The subject of a tournament is brought up next, but all wish to wait a little, until they can learn to beat Cornell, who is acknowledged the best player. A motion for an assessment is strongly objected to on all sides, and is voted down by a heavy majority. Chattin wishes to return, and makes this known by tapping on the door with his foot. Sergeantaat-arms Bartine attends to him, after which is silence-for about two minutes-when Simp- son exclaims, Dog-gone if I saw that mate. This is followed by remarks of like import from other players, and then, Well, set them up again, I'll get satisfaction this time. Thus matters continue until four o'clock, when the gong warns all persons to leave the' building. The motion to adjourn is carried, and the players gather up their pieces reluctantly, and part forthe day with promises to have their revenge A to-morrow. Q