12 Sports Aces, January 1943 — page 96: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 was a low kick. Kirk turned, ran toward midfield and took the ‘ball over his shoul- der. He started ‘back down ‘the field. Len- nex knocked a tackler ten feet out of play. Kerk raced straight ahead over the twen- ty-yard tine. Montana was at his side The fullback threw himself at the Tech safety and missed. He landed on the ground, grinning. Kirk pounded wright into the man, knees driving, spinning as he thit it. He stumbled a moment, then breke free and went over the goal line. The kick made it seven-six, Tarleton, and the game ended. IRK, Jeaving tthe lockers some min- utes later, went past the coach’s of- fice. The deor opened and his teammates of the past two years came out. Kirk grinned at them. Tarleton was going to have a ball club yet. Montana said, “Benson just told us we laid down out there. He said we were letting the old school down. When we told him we didn’t give two cents for the old school, he said we’d have to change our attitude or quit the squad. It made things very nice. We quit. We are now spectators.” / They went on down the hall and Roger Kirk saw the team’s hopes fading with them, Tarleton football was blasted. At the fraternity that night, Lennox said, “Kirk, we're holding a dance to- night. Why not join us?” Kirk, surprised, said, “Thanks, I will.” He did a little studying, then finally went downstairs. Couples danced acress the dimming room, and diennox drifted by, a blonde on his arm. Kirk grinned and cut in. The girl said, “You’re one ef the pros. I thought all you boys chewed tobacco and talked like movie gangsters.” “Some do,” Kirk said. “But a fellow from across the tracks who comes here on a scholarship isn’t necessarily a tramp.” Someone cut and Kirk joined Lennox on the sidelines. He said, “That gal be- long te you?” Lennox drawied, “You're calling your own signals in this league, chum,” Kirk discovered he was having fun, At - 12 SPORTS ACES eleven he had an idea. He walked across the campus to the apartment of Montana and his friends. He went inside and they were playing poker. — Kirk sat down. He said, “I have a hunch you guys are wrong. There are some pretty decent gents in this college. Lennox is all right, and so are some of his friends, They’ve always given us a brush-off, but I think they judged ‘us al! by rats like Chink Chelsey.” Montana said, “I thought you had more brains. Times are changing, lunk- head. That fraternity is leoking out fer - itself. T’'H give you two to one, those tramps will give you a bid some day. Net because they like you, but there aren’t so many wealthy people around any more to support fraternities.” Kirk went on back to the fraternity. Lennox was standing in the doorway. He said, “Rog, the boys would like te have you-become a member here. I know you're short of money, but you could pay the initiation fee out in work. Interested?” Kirk thought ef Mentana’s words and said, “Thanks, net right now.” Lennox nodded, saying casually, “ you change your mind, let me know,” sn: | that was that. They played Kings that Saturday. After Kings would come Grayley, the toughest team of all. And Kings was right behind them. | Tarleton started fast. Early in the game they got the ball on their own thir- ty. “We don’t waste time,” Lenox said, Kirk faded back and threw one thirty yards down the field. The end romped across and it was seven to nething a me- ment later. Kings was a precision team. They pounded at that line. There were four men sitting in the stands whe might have wen that game for Tarleton. They sat there watching their one-time teammates take a beating and come back for more. They . fought back gamely but they never had a chance, It was over finally, “Nineteen to seven,” Coach Benson said, “It’s no disgrace.” He fell silent, thinking of Montana and his friends and what might have beon. Kirk walked back to the fraternity .OOKX (E@)