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

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I sPoRTs. E have taken a moderate interest in athletic exercises, not so MV much, however, as if the school had awakened to the neces- sity ofholding annual sports-earlier in our existence. As it is, most of the Class have bent their minds to other employ- nients, less healthful perhaps, but certainly more instructive. In the spring of 1888 this movement was agitated by some of the students and resulted in forming an Athletic Association, which held sports in june of that year. Under the august auspices of the Athletic Association have been held two meetings, the Spring and the Fall meetings of 1888, and at the time at which we write the entries are open for the Spring Sports of 1889. As I said before, We have but few members of the Class who take an active interest in athletics. We have, however, one in whom we all take pride, to see him sport will kindle admiration in any breast save that ofa B or C class child, who cannot rise to the sublime heights which our pride and hope, Koch, reaches ton a jumpj. i All the time that he can spare from ornithological studies and stamp collecting he devotes to athletics. He is rewarded with muscles of an enormous size, and has acquired that grace which characterizes all his movements. We can readily see from his short and rounded proportions the appropriateness of the remark Koch, ' thou egg,' etc. Fred's greatest feature is jumping, he can jump on anything. This is also characteristic of some of our professors, however, let that pass. On one evil day Freddie was drawn into a walking race. In all his checkered career he had never descended to this. How are the mighty fallen ! He started at the pistol shot with the rest, and-but let us draw the curtain over the harrowing scene, 56

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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

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and pass on to our bright and shining star, our swift young farmer of Ridley Park. This was the noblest Roman of them all. From the numerous medals displayed upon his manly breast we can infer what a great athlete Hayes is. His unpar- alleled success can only be attributed to the strict training Qon bunsj which he undergoes. We all have our peculiarities and that of Gene is that he is always out of training Qaccording to his own statementj at the time of the contest Qwho is not Pj. Some of us never forgave Gene for winning the running high jump at the Fall Sports, and we only spared him on account of his extreme youth and his promising future. Although there are many cliques inthe school where students are very intimate, We were all surprised to see Gates and Dicker- son on such close terms in the Midwinter Sports, when they met on the red stage-curtain in their celebrated wrestling match. It was quite touching to observe how very affectionate they were, each insisting on the other having the place of honor-the floor. Even Bird Moyer overcame his natural reserve enough to stand forth before the public gaze on this occasiong we trust that there is a promising future yet before him. Our friend jules also made an effort to achieve honors, which, although he did not succeed, was very noteworthy in so small a boy. And now I think that is all. Oh, no I there is Dick Scott yet. I almost forgot him. However, there is not much to be said about the athletic abilities of this gentle creature. He may im- prove with time. The only claims that Dick has to the name of athlete are sundry records at jumping, and he once accident- ally won the shot-put through no fault of his. Before the Fall Sports some evil-minded person set adoat rumors which caused this innocent and inoffensive young person to receive the appellation The Dark Horsef' but this proved to be a false creation, proceeding from a heat-oppressed brain. In his official capacities Dick is prepared to act as mascot for any club or team at reasonable prices. And now, having slandered all of these good people, Twill go and borrow a gun and a bull-dog and prepare for emergencies. 1 57