CHAPTER X

WHEN THE GREAT GAME OPENED



It must be Marshall's great field day, that was evident. Business
would be almost suspended while the game was in progress, only the
most necessary stores keeping open. The grandstand was already filled
to overflowing, newly arrived crowds trying to find seats anywhere
they could, but with small success. Those who had the affair in charge
must have underestimated the immense throng that would be attracted to
the field by the fine Fall weather, and the prospect of a rattling
good game.

As usually happens, the Chester crowds kept pretty much together. They
could be picked out as a rule by the swirl of waving school colors,
for every Chester girl and boy who had journeyed to Marshall to see
their team win the game, made sure to carry the favorite combination.

Of course Marshall did likewise, and as this was their home town, they
possibly outnumbered the Chester young people two to one. What they
lacked in numbers, however, the visitors seemed able to make up for in
noise. From time to time songs rang out over the field, that carried
the sentiments of the confident Chester girls, over there with the
sole purpose of encouraging their team to carry off the prize.

At one place a large number of boys from the other town seemed to be