Cinder Path Tales

PADDY'S PROBATION 87 ness on the twenty-five yard line, for they had worked him in as the rival claimant for " that job." He had set himself in a desper­ ately earnest attitude, and was acting his part to perfection, for Tom of all men dearly loved a joke. Now, Tom was the best "quarter-miler" in college (there were not many better anywhere), and he ought to have given Paddy fiftyyards at least to en­ sure a race, Paddy knew nothing about Tom, for he never appeared on the track until later in the season, and this made the decep­ tion easy. The plan was for Furness to let the Irish­ man pass him, open up a big gap, and then Tom was to run poor Paddy off his feet. None of the boys questioned its accomplish­ ment, and were anticipating a good laugh when Paddy camepumping down the stretch with "bellows to mend." There was quite a crowd of spectators gathered at the start, andthey were giving Paddy such fool advice as to "Start quick, and run the heart out of him," " Push the beggar off the track,"and I know not what else, for they were all talking together. George Mitchell was the most conspicuousof the advisers, and as he talked Paddy would nod his head, and say, "Thank youkindly, sir," or" Faith, 'tisright youare."