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

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

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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.

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Get set! The starter pointed his gun skyward. Like a steel spring Anthony vibrated O11 his bent legs waiting for his release. He did not wait for tl1e report. The starter's trig- ger-iinger told him when to go. As he straightened from the crouch, he felt a. pain like a dagger-stab in his weak leg. It almost threw him off his bal- ance. But controlling his nerves with all the strength his will could summon, he gathered speed. Instant by instant the pain increased. Before he had cov- ered twenty yards it became an intense agony. His jaws closed like a vise and for an instant his eyes saw nothing but a blur- red, confused background. Cummings was two yards ahead. Evidently he had no fear of Anthony, but was concentrating on the man on his left, who was about on even terms. They were near the fifty yard mark. The pain seemed aba.ting. Anthony called on his muscles for more speed, and they responded. Inch by inch he gained on the fore-runners. Cummings turnd his head slightly side-- ward, as though listening to the grating of the spikes in the cinders. The stands were in an uproar. He heard his own name roared from the Howard side, and from the crowd opposite rang that of Curmnings. Twenty yards from the tape he was shoulder to shoulder with Cummings. His antagonist seemed to have something in reserve. An instant before Cummings uncorked his last ounce of energy Anthony made a spurt. The spectators stood on the very rails. They were still shoulder to shoulder. Anthony's stride which cut in two the live yards that separa.ted him from the tape, was longer than Cumming's best. As he threw up his hands and advanced his foot for the final lunge, his injured leg gave way, he dove headlong on the ground. The rest of the runners shot by, he picked himself up and limped over toward the green turf. The timers were comparing watches, and the announcer stood with his megaphone waiting for the record. 6t0118-l111HdI'9d-Y3,1'd-dilSll won in ten seconds -a loud applause burst from the crowd,- won by Ralph Anthony.