Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1911 — Soule’s Great Run [ARTICLE]

Soule’s Great Run

By WILLIAM G. KIRSCHBAUM

Fairfield was fdotball crazy. Everybody In town .discussed tbe approaching game between the Singletons and the local college eleven. Fbr weeks the townspeople''* had talked of nothing else, and every maiden in the place was sure to be a spectator, wearing the college color. Old Sam Jones, the leading dry-goods merchant, had done a rushing business in the sale of blue ribbons and other trimmings of that color, and it is no wonder when a movement was started fdr- a general suspension of business for* that afternoon, that he readily responded. The Singletonß represented a rivai college, a few miles north of Fairfield. For years Fairfield had boasted of its college, one’ of the best in the Old Bay State, and her citizens took commendable pride in everything undertaken by faculty of that institution. And there was nothing slow in the personnel of that faculty. The professors might be gray with age, but they were not ancient in their views. They were abreast of the times and had adopted a very liberal policy, which appealed not only to the students, but to the parents. It yras a popular institution with every one in town, and the morrow bade! fair to be a gala day in its history. Much was expected of the Fairfield eleven. The Singletons had faced the best teams in the Interscholastic league, winning in every game; while the Fairfield eleven had been equally successful. The championship rested on the morrow’s game And fortune favored the blues, inasmuch as a lucky drawing earlier in the season had named Fairfield as the scene of the great contest. This suited the Falrfielders, for it was only a few months back that the Singletons had marched off the Fairfield grounds victors in the closing game of the baseball season. And there was not a ball crank in town who was not anxious for revenge. Line Soule was responsible for that defeat, and he knew it as well as anybody. With the score 3to 3, his muff of an easy fly in short left, gave Singleton the winning run, for < Fred Browne, who was on third base, dashed for the home plate as he saw the ball drop out of Line’s mitt. Before leaving Fairfield that evening the Singleton’s painted the little tQwn crimson. The rough house play of the victors that evening will never be forgotten and that defeat was never mentioned except with thoughts of revenge. Line Soule felt it keenly, and no one thought of alluding to that misplay in his presence. As the football season approached he was as determined as when the season had progressed he as the right halfback had performed wonders on the gridiron. His playing had been the talk of every club in the league. “He’s the man to lay for,” “Put in your interference on his end,” and similar advice was given the Singletons before the contest. The night before the great game the Falrfielders met in the gymnasium and talked over plans for the morrow. Then the brawny youths wended their way to their quarters. Line Soule headed straight for the town, and some of bis comrades thought he had taken offense because of an accidental allusion to the defeat ot last summer. Binxie, the little quarterback, who roomed with Line, gazed on his pal making strides for the center, and then in a voice more emphatic than grammatical, .begged him to come back. “Come, old man, cut it out. Let’s turn in; we’ll be better for it in the morning," was his logical advice. “AH right Binxie, I’ll be with you in an-hour; you need not worry about .me. I’ll be in that game tomorrow, never fear. But I must go down town,” was Line’s reply. He walked until he reached a neat cottage on the main street. As he ascended the steps It was evident he was no stranger. It was the home of 'Duncan Butler, one of the professors of Fairfield college. A bright-eyed girl answered the bell, and when Line entered the reception room his greeting was: “Lida, I want you to go to the game tomorrow.” “Oh, Line, 1 do so want to go,” she said, “but I had better not; you know 1f it hadn’t been for me last summer you would never have let that horrid Fted Browne- make that run, and I mean to stay at home.” *T know, Lida, the boys think I had my eyes on yeu Instead of the ball that afternoon, and that is just why I want you to go tomorrow,” he urged. ”1$ it best. Line?** she asked. “Yes,” was the quick reply, “i want you to be on the field. I want to show the boys that you were not responsible for that muff. I mean to redeem myself tomorrow, and you are the girl to see me do it I want the boys to know that I can play as good a game here as I do away from home. Will you be therer With a reluctant "Yes” Lida Butler promised to accompany her mother, and Line Soule went home happy. As he retraced his steps to his rooms several of the Mlows were on the watch for his return. He had been gone a short time, and it needed no prophet to tell where he had been. £U» face was wreathed in smiles. \

Entering his room, Binxie sat in the lounging chair awaiting his arrival. It didn’t take long for the two to get to bed, but before sleep closed their eyes 1 Line had told his chum what had taken, hiin down town, adding, "I’ll show that crowd a trick tomorrow they won’t soon forget.” The next day dawned bright aW clear. The air was crisp and cool, and long before the noon hour the little place was in holiday dress. What business had to bo done was accomplished in the morning, and with the ringing of the old town bell at 12, business was at a standstill. The midday incoming trains had brought hundreds of strangers, many from other school towns whp were aanxious to see the rivals clash on the gridiron. The Singletons were the favorites, and their black and gold banners seemed to be without end^ The Singletons were the last to arrive bn the field, and as if to insult the denizens of Fairfield they brought with them a band from Boston. To the tune of “The Good Old Summer Time,” just by way of a suggestion of a former visit, they marched to the grounds. Amid hisses and cheers the Singletons and their band entered the enclosure playing this tune. The Fairfields were nettled at the proceeding, and with a deep drawn sigh of relief, that immense throng which had filled every space outside of the playing ground, awaited the result of the contest. The Singletons were Imbued with confidence, and after a short concert in the center of the field, during which they surrounded the musicians and joined in the chorus of a popular air, they entered into preliminary practice. Just then the Fairflelds ran in upon the lined playing space and the loyal residents of the little town stood up in their seats and cheered their favorites to the echo. The blues did not care to limber up. They had done this on the college field, and when Oapt. Soule lost the toss and had to kick facing the sun, the Fairfieldera thought they were in hard luck. Tho Singletons started in on the aggressive, and worked up the field, yard by With every down it was a clear gain. Their line bucking piaj was marvelous. Not once did Fairfield get the ball, and after ten nrinutes of this sort of play, just to make things pleasant, Fred Browne, who was on the left end, scored a touchdown. The cheers which greeted this play were deafening, but failure in kicking for goal cooled the ardor of Singleton’s friends. Then came that great run wbioh astonished every one on the field. The Fairfielders got possession of the ban in their own territory, twenty yards from the goal line, and on the snap Binxie passed it to Line, who made a move as if to dash around the right end. The Singletons were looking for this and had planned for great tackling. Instead of completing a right end play Line crossed to the left, as if by magic, hurdling Singleton’s left tackle and guard like so many fences and running down the whole length of the field, and placing the ball behind his opponents’ posts for a touch down. It was the most remarkable run ever seen on this football field. . The cheers were deafening. As he dashed down the field, Line recognise ed just one voice of encouragement from the Fairfield quarter, and as Lida Butler waved her small' blue banner, he jumped completely over Fred Browne and made for the goal line. Eaton, the fullback, scored the goal, and with the score 6 to 6 the Singletons attemptetd to retrieve their fortunes, but it was no use. The first half ended 6 to 5, and In the last period Line Soule again executed a dashing play after breaking through Singleton’s center. Outfootlng his rivals who failed to down him, he added a second touchdown to the soore. The yells from Singleton on the kick phased little Jenkins, who tried for goal, and with the score 11 to 5 and with three minutes to finish the game the Fairfielders held their opponents down, winning the greatest game of football ever seen in the old Massachusetts town. And It was all due to the marvelous mn of Line Soule, who had the encouragement of the girl, credited with having been the cause of defeat during the summer.