icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

Quarter-Back Bates

Chapter 2 "WASHINGTON P. QUIGGLE"

Word Count: 3164    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

and Dick found nothing but chugging "flivvers" manned by eager and noisy youths to whom he hesitated to entrust his life. Automobiles, he presumed, had arrived since Stuar

but not so quickly as to reach it first. A boy a year or

ard the boy say. "And

was the least attractive of the half-d

p right in. The gentleman inside

e occupant: "Mind if I go along?" he ask

k, wheeled suddenly to the left and dashed headlong over the cobbles, "it makes for economy. They put the

," answe

e open window in front. "Take me

te of their owner's grave and serious expression, seemed to hold a twinkle of amusement or perhaps of mischief. He had placed a very battered suit

cket. "I haven't a card with me, I fear. I have, believe me, no desire to thrust my acquai

smiled. Rather to his surprise Washington Quiggle didn't smile back. Instea

t, that's what Dick thought he said, but as there

g par

g of my grandfather, a most worthy and respected citizen in spite of the misfortune that overtook him in his later years: I refer, of course, to the loss of his mind, accompanied, or should I say superseded, by homicidal mania; speaking of him, then, suppose I relieve myself o

appeared to be on the verge of slumber, and after a moment's concerned observation of him Dick turned his gaze to the town through which the car was speeding. The cobbles had given place to asphalt and while Quiggle's choice of the word "placid" was not entirely justified, at least the car was running much more quietly and far more

the water-butt!

e expanse of level turf. Trees grew on each side, but between them Dick had occasional glimpses of the school buildings which, for the most part, were spaced along the further side of the campus. Parkinson Hall he recognised readily from the picture in the school catalogue, a white marble edifice surmounted by a glassed dome, but which

es, I sincerely trust that we shall meet again. Should you care to pursue the acquaintance so-so-dare I say-fortunately brought about, you have but to inquire of any resident of this palatial dwelling in order to le

I know,

"the gentleman has my fare and will del

ing back through the rear window of the car, Dick saw Quiggle wav

"Here you are, sir," announced the driver. "Sohmer Hall. You'll excuse me i

e held forth a half-dollar. The driver observed it coldly

get," replied Dick warmly

tuff? Listen, kid. The fare's fifty cent

said it was-Anyway, he gave me

ll over. You're lucky he didn't stick you for the whole

you knew Quiggle was that s

river, a grin grow

you left at Goss Hall

e driver. "Gee, that's a peach! Qui

e then?" demande

ought to be Slippery

f gears, a snort, and the "flivver" swung

and then, taking up his suit-ca

n I catch him!" he mu

experienced, for the first time since leaving Leonardville, a qualm of apprehension. If Quiggle, or whatever his silly name really was, was a fair sample of the fellows he was to meet at Parkinson, the outlook for being treated with the respect that he was accustomed to was not at all satisfactory. U

over to the wide street that was lined with gardens and lawns: Faculty Row it was called, although Dick didn't know it then. From the other window he saw a tree-shaded, asphalt-paved road and one or two old-fashioned w

the door, but the steps stopped at a room across the way. There followed the sound of a bag dropped to the floor and then the opposite door banged shut. Dick, back in the study, viewed it without enthusiasm. It was smaller than he liked and the furniture, while there was plenty of it-two small study tables, each under its own side-light, what he mentally dubbed a "near-leather" couch, two easy-chairs and tw

business was soon attended to, for only a half-dozen or so were before him. Having paid his term bill and inscribed his name on a card that was handed him, he was given a booklet containing the school regulations and general information, a receipt for his money and a ruled card on which to schedule his recitations. Beside the door was a bulletin board and he paused to read some of the notices posted there. There was a reception to new students that eve

, not later than Wednesday. Attention is called to the school regulation requiring

s Whipp

and Dick made his way back along the road to the gymnasium. Inside, he had to take his place in a line of nearly a dozen boys, and progress toward the wicket, behind which a youth not much older than Dick supplied information or made out appointment cards, was slow. Eventually, though, Dick reached the window, made known his wants and was given a slip of pasteboard which informed him that the Physical Direct

t a corner of the big grand stand and admired. Nearly twelve acres of level turf stretched before him. There were three gridirons, that of the First Team enclosed by a quarter-mile track, as well as several baseball diamonds and numerous tennis courts, both dirt and grass. A handful of onlookers were scatter

try for the team, but I understand that I've got to

r seemed not at all impressed by what he saw. "You can report as soon as you like," he rep

ven it once, but perhaps the other hadn't

Played, h

wake football trainer should have been aware o

ing punts and returning them a little further along the field, leaving Dick a trifle ruffled. This was not just the sort of reception he had expected. Of course, it was understandable that the Philadelphia papers didn't penetrate to Warne, Massachusetts, in whi

a very blue silk shirt was just as probably the manager. Dick didn't seek him, for there would be plenty of time to do that tomorrow. At intervals the trainer summoned one of the candidates and sent him off, usually prescribing a round of the running track first. Dick was glad he did not have to swallow that medicine today, for the weather was extremely warm and humid. He thought that the candidates averaged both heavier and older than he had expected, and h

r to assume that the unknown "S. G." had returned, and Dick entered the study eager, in spite of his seemin

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open