Cinder Path Tales

CINDER-PATH TALES had certainly not appeared on track or field, or I should have remembered him, and he had even neglected a physical examination. He was probably bandy-legged, big-waisted, round-shouldered, and hollow-chested. He might be a sufferer fromdyspepsia and heart disease ;there were chances that he had a fancy for Greek roots, and thought football brutal. I have been asked by doting parents to make championsprinters andweight put­ ters out ofjust such timber, — althoughthe age ofmiracles ispast. I had a conventional way of answering such letters, andprepared to go through the usual forms. A modest request it was in­ deed ! "I should consider a second place no better than absolute failure." Little did she realizewhat acombination of excellences go to make upa winner, nor how many good men train faithfully for four years without getting aplace. Give him "especial care and attention"? Well, hardly, if he does not care enough about himself even to have his chart made out. I had taken the sheet of paper andwritten the "Dear Madam," when there came a knock atthe door,and at my "Come in,"it swung leisurely open. Just how I came to the conclusion I cannot tell,but I knew the