Stamford Union Free School - Camera Yearbook (Stamford, NY)

Page 37 text:

Morris preceded Mr. Dart boldly up the steps of the club- house. A man to see Anthony, he said to the doorman, who passed tl1e two with a nod. Anthony was just pulling on his spiked shoe when the two came into the room. HHello, Morris, he said, sticking out his llillld in a friend- ly way, haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?'l Oh so-so responded Morris, glancing back, for his com- panion. Mr. Dart was looking about, so Morris seized tl1e op- portunity for a moment's chat. You've got to win today, Ralph. I'm having a wretclied time with a lame muscle in my leg. Sometimes it catches and nearly throws me, so don 't ex- pect too much of me, replied Anthony. Before they could say more the stranger approached them. Meet Mr. Dart said Morris to Anthony. Perhaps this is a rather peculiar time to talk about busi- ness 1natters, said Dart, but I have a proposition to put be- fore you. I have learned that you are trained to some extent in engineering. VVe are now in need of men and if yo11 would like to have a position we could offer you five thousand the first year, an unusual figure. Anthony drew on l1is other shoe and began lacing it thoughtfully. You don 't seem very enthusiastic about the proposi- tion, said Dart, watching him closely. It's a bit sudden-and I guess my mind is too much on the race to take it in responded Anthony. My mind is on the race, too, said Dart and perhaps af- ter the race I can make you even a better proposition. I have a nephew in the hundred and if he wins this race I'll be feeling niighty generous. Do you understand what I mean? I believe I do, sir,', replied AQnthony. Then may I see you after the race? You may,', said Anthony. Dart left, apparently well. satisfied. Morris said, 't'l'hat's what I call an easy way to get a five-thousand-a.-year income. I do not know what to do about it, said Anthony, I think I will go and ask Dad.

Page 36 text:

A GAME IN LIFE Morris Fisher was selling peanuts in the large stadium where there was to be a race that afternoon. IN'ith monoton- ous regularity he called his wares, peanuts, live a bag. He never permitted excitement to interfere with business. As he passed along someone tossed a half-dollar from one of the lower boxes. He threw back a bag of hot roasted pea- nuts and started sorting out the change from a iistful of coin which he took from his pocket. His customer checked him with a gesture, and beckoned. him to come nearer. Morris entered the box. Never mind tl1e changef' said his patron. Will you show me the way to the Howard locker-room? I want to see Ralph Anthony. Morris paused a minute to size up the man who made the request. He wore stylish sport clothes, with a diamond on his finger and another in his tie. The hair which showed beneath his cap was gray. His face had a. a. dissipated look. The deep wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes indicated that he was not altogether a good man. I'1l take you to the club-house,,' said. Morris, but I don't know whether I can get you in or not. The hundred-yard dash is due to start in twenty minutes. The gentleman rose and Morris led him out of the stadium and in the direction of the club-house. 'Do you know this fellow Anthony? asked the man. Yes, replied Morris, we come from the same town. The stranger seemed busy with his thoughts for a few moments as they picked their way through the hurrying groups of people, but as they approached the club-house, he said what was 011 his mind, Perhaps, as you know Mr. Anthony you would be willing to introduce me. He handed the peanut seller a card. The bold engraving showed the name Harry Dart. Witll the card was a five dol- lar bill. Morris looked up inquiringly. It's all right my boy, said Mr. Dart. I appreciate your guiding me over here. It's awkward getting about in a strange place, especially in such a crowd.

Page 38 text:

He went up into the Howard side of the stadium and as soon as his schoolmates saw him making his way in from the rear they gave him a grand applause and cheer. 'VVhat if he should fail them,' he thought, and yet failure might mean rich success for him. He was likely to fall anyhowg his leg was so uncertain. He smiled at his father, a handsome, strong featured man and sat down on tl1e arm of his chair. Mr. Anthony looked up at l1in1 with an expression of pride and confidence. lVell, old man, this is the grand finale, he said. I guess it 's going to be worth all we've put into it. Ralph suddenly looked away. He disliked to trouble his father but after a moment he told him all that had passed be- tween Dart and himself. His father then told him that he was in the same trouble when he was in school. A fellow Who thought he wanted the race more than I did, offered me an important poistion and big money if I would let him win. I asked Dad about it and he calmly sized up the situation and cleared it all up for me. Here are these rich people, hc said, Mable to buy' and sell you a thousand times over if money is all there is to consider. But- do they offer you their money? Oh, no, they offer you a posi- tion and a salary which will be paid by stockholders' money If anything goes Wrong in the corporation you will be the loser. If you can afford to sell out your school, your conliding friends, and yourself on a proposition like that, it's up to you. 'tAnd about the race ? asked Ralph. I had to run the hundred yards in ten seconds to beat Dart to it, replied his father. Dart, did you say, asked Ralph. Yes, he's president of the Consolidated now. You may have to buck him and his tribe yourself some day. Ralph started to say something, but the clerk of the course called the hundred, so he went on down to the track and warmed up until the starterls whistle summoned him to the line. He recognized Cummings, who stood beside him, to be the fellow whom Dart wanted to win. Get ready on your mark, called the starter. Anthony placed his feet for the start and dropped to one knee. 1