Cinder Path Tales

A VIRGINIA JUMPER 143 So Dick settled down to regular work and practice at the " running broad," and ap­ peared each day as surely as the clock struck the hour; not even Frost, aveteran offour years, was as much to be dependedon. Now, there is no more practicalschool than that of the cinder-path; with given athletic material, a certain amount of work should bring exact results. We look for them just as confidently as the farmer looks forhis crops in the autumn, after the planting of the spring and the cultivation of the summer. There may be accidents, just as the farmer has a hail-storm, or like fruit under an untimely frost a man may go staleat the last moment. But, barring accidents, weexpect a gradual growth and development in just proportion to the natural ability ofthe man. Now, strange to say, Dick Fairfax con­ tradicted allknown laws; his style improved, and his physical condition as well, but his jump was the same old jump after several weeks of practice. He worked up to an average of nineteen-six, buthere he stuck, and no handling, instruction, or care could pull him on to the even twenty feet. Encour­ agement, blame,the incentives of trial con­ tests, and even ridicule wereall the same to Dick. I did all I knew, —and a bit well-in­ formed I claimed to be, — giving him more