Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

THE SPORTING ELEMENT. nature. He simply would not have anything to do with Bert Sharpe and his crowd, excepting in the casual rela- tions of college life. While he joined in most of the sports, being an especially good gymnast and long distance runner, and was active and prominent in‘all the serious college organizations, he was personally un- obtrusive and extremely select in his close friendships. By and by Sed Geldon’s old rooms began to get a reputation again. Little by little it came out that they were splendidly furnished, that Jack Burke was a king of hosts, and that to attend one of his “.nights ” was just the jolliest event of the whole week at Harmon- dale. But the sporting element was out in the cold, and they tried to get warm by calling Jack Burke a “ cad.” Most of their information about Jack, his rooms, and his “ at homes ”’ was de- rived from Teddy Young, a little fellow with a refined face, of excellent breed- ing, a trifle timid, yet with a decided tendency to vivaciousness. He had been “taken up” by Jack Burke and remained a familiar of the banker’s son until he was drawn into the maelstrom of Bert Sharpe’s coterie. Then Jack gave Teddy three words of warning ; Teddy did not take them in a wise and manly spirit, and his inter- course with Jack gradually dimin- ished. By the middle of the term little Teddy Young was scheduled amongst the sporting element. ITI. It was about the first of May. The final examinations were close at hand, and “ cramming ”’ was the order of the day. Jack Burke was far and away the most popular man of the Freshman Class by this time. He had refused the presidency, but accepted the captaincy of the freshman football team. He was a coming mile runner, and they talked 147 of sending him down to the Intercol- legiate Games next year. He was. intimate with the most bril- liant seniors, prospective honor men and medal men, and as for himself, he figured up that he so far had about 80 per cent on the term. So it is evident that he had managed to keep his scholarship quite up to the mark, In fact, he was so much in the eye of the college that even Bert Sharpe and Dolph Johnes had long been try- ing to “ make up”’ to Jack. “ Hello, Burke!” cried Bert Sharpe, as he and Dolph met Jack at the gate one afternoon about this time. “ Whith- er away?” “For a run, a nap, and a good long grind.” “Aren’t you coming down to the track to see the great match? ” “What match?” “Why, Teddy Young and Buck Littleton are going to run a hundred,” explained Bert. “Those little fellows can’t run it in thirteen seconds,” commented Jack; ‘“so where do you get your ‘ great matcher’ ” “Oh, there’s a pile of money up,” said Bert. ‘““Y-e-s, in-deed,” supplemented Dolph. “I’ve got fifty up in scraps here and there myself—on Littleton, you know.” | “Ah, have you, indeed?” said Jack. ‘Ts Teddy betting on himself? ”’ “Qh, he couldn’t keep’ his amateur standard and bet—direcily, you know,” said Bert with a glance that the next remark explained. “ J/’m looking after Teddy’s side of the betting.” “Well,” and Jack turned away to conceal a frown, as he thought of his little ex protégé who had “ gone wrong.” “I’m sorry I can’t find my- self interested in the match.” “Such a queer duffer as you are, Burke!” declared Dolph Johnes. “ Really, you know, you’re positively interesting.” CORNICOOO SS) eo