about at his fellow Board members.

"Gentlemen," he began, "we have noticed that, during October and
November, the High School percentages, especially those of the
young men, are prone to fall a bit. There can be but one cause
for this---the football craze. There are signs that this stupid
athletic folly will take a greater hold than ever, this year,
on our High School students. I thought it best to ask Dr. Thornton
to caution the students that any such falling-off of percentages
this year might make it necessary for us to forbid High School
football."

"It was an excellent idea to give such a warning, Mr. Chairman,"
nodded Mr. Hegler.

"So I thought," replied Chairman Stone, complacently. "Yet, while
we have been in session this evening, I have been wondering why
it would not be a good plan to promote scholarship at once by
summarily forbidding football."

"Even for the balance of this present season?" asked Mr. Chesbritt,
ponderously.

"Even for the balance of this season," confirmed Mr. Stone.

There were murmurs of approval. Just at that moment, however,
the door opened suddenly, and Reporter Len Spencer, a bright-faced
young man of twenty-two, hurried in on tip-toe. Then, suddenly,
he halted, looking unutterably astonished.