As the first section of the special rolled in at the railway station
the part of the crowd that was "going" began to break up into
groups headed for the different parts of the train.
Herr Schimmelpodt went, of course, to the car that carried the
team. The boys wouldn't have been satisfied to start or to travel
without him. The big German had come to be the mascot of Gridley
High School.
Just before the train started Herr Schimmelpodt waddled out to
the rear platform of the car.
In his right hand he brandished a massive cane to which the Gridley
High School colors were secured.
"Now, listen," he bellowed out. "Ve come back our scalps not
wigs! You hear dot, alretty?"
While the cheering was still going on, and while the band was
crashing out music, the first section pulled out, making room
for the second section.
A run of a little more than an hour at good speed, and with no
way stops, brought the Gridley invading forces to Fordham.
At the depot, the local team's second coach awaited the players.
He had two stages at hand, into which the team and subs piled.
A wagon followed, carrying the kits of the Gridley boys. There
were two more stages for the band. All the other travelers had
to depend on the street-car service.
Finding the stages rather crowded, Dick nudged Darrin, then made
for the kit wagon.
"I really believe we'll have more comfort, Dave," proposed Prescott,
"if we get aboard, this rig and ride on top of the tog bags.
Pages:
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119