The High School Freshmen | Page 9

the idea of forbidding High School football."
"Oh, that's it, eh?" asked Spencer, solemnly. "Seven dead ones?"
"Yes; of course you've already discovered that there's no real tragedy
up at the Board, unless they're actually planning some move against
football."
The seven members of the School Board looked at one another blankly,
wonderingly.
"Who sent you that message over the 'phone?" questioned the reporter.
The seven Board members pricked up their ears still more keenly.
"I don't know," came Editor Pollock's voice. "But I suspect it came
from the Business Men's Club. That's a wide-awake and progressive
crowd, you know, and full of local pride, even in our High School boys.
But, Spencer, I'm in just a bit of a fix. I had already run out six lines on

the bulletin board announcing that a sudden death had taken place in
the School Board meeting. Now, I've got to run out another bulletin and
explain. Spencer, you'd better come back here on the jump. Good-bye!"
As the bell rang off, and the reporter laid the instrument back on the
table, he said:
"Gentlemen, I am ordered back to my office in haste. Yet, before I go,
as a matter of news interest, I think I'd better ask you whether any
action is going to be taken forbidding football in the High School?"
"N-n-not to the best of our knowledge," stammered Chairman Stone.
"We have---taken no action along that line."
"Are you likely to take any such action tonight?"
"I---I---think not."
"Thank you, and goodnight, gentlemen. I offer you my apology and
'The Blade's' for having intruded on you in this fashion."
As soon as the members of the Board were alone Chairman Stone
glanced about him, and remarked:
"So, it appears, gentlemen, that, if we do not favor High School football,
we shall be regarded as what are termed 'dead ones'!"

CHAPTER III
NOT SO MUCH OF A FRESHMAN
The next morning's "Blade" contained a column and a half, written in
Reporter Spencer's most picturesque vein. The headlines ran: "School
Board Hoaxed. Gentle Jokers Convey a Needed Hint. Football Not to
Be Barred in High School. 'Blade' Reporter a First-off Victim in the
Service of Public Spirit."

It was a fine article, from a High School boy's point of view. It was an
article, too, which, in a city ruled by a lively public spirit, was likely to
tie the hands of a Board of Education that did not care to fly in the face
of public opinion.
Dick Prescott, before he went in to breakfast, read the article in secret,
with many a chuckle.
"You seem much interested in the newspaper, Richard," said his father,
when the young freshman came to table, still holding 'The Blade.'"
"Yes, sir. You know I have set my heart on making the H.S. eleven just
as soon as I strike a higher class. I was afraid the School Board would
abolish the game from our school. Now, I know they won't."
"Hm! Let me see 'The Blade.'"
Mr. Prescott glanced through the article, a faint twinkle showing in his
eyes.
"The School Board may stop High School football," commented Mr.
Prescott, laying aside the paper. "They may, but it would take a good
deal of courage, for that article will start Gridley on a furor of
enthusiasm for the game. I wonder who got up that hoax."
"Why, Dad, 'The Blade,' hints at some one down at the Business Men's
Club."
"Hm! I wonder who wrote the article."
"Perhaps Len Spencer," replied Dick. "You know, Dad, he's a great fan
for all our H.S. sports."
"I can just see Jason Stone reading that article at his breakfast table this
morning," smiled Mr. Prescott. "Stone is a great sail-trimmer, always
afraid of the man who casts a vote."
"What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Prescott, coming in breezily from the
kitchen.

Dick explained the news to his mother.
"Abolish football at the High School!" echoed Mrs. Prescott,
indignantly. "And I've been sharing your great wish Dick, to make the
team when you're old enough. They shan't do it, anyway, Dick, until
you've had your chance on the eleven!"
"No, mother," replied the boy, very quietly; "I don't believe they will."
With a sudden rush of recollection of other pranks in which she had
known her son to be engaged in the grammar school days, Mrs.
Prescott shot a sudden, wondering glance at him. But Dick, looking
utterly innocent, was chewing his food.
Frank Thompson, Ben Badger and Ted Butler, all seniors, and stars on
the H.S. football team, had risen early that morning, every one of them
feeling glum over the dread that the great sport might be "killed" for
them. They were the only members of the eleven who happened to see
"The Blade" early. In