CHAPTER XXVI
FRANK WITHDRAWS
Tense and anxious faces looked into those of Holly and Kindlings as theathletic committee drew closer to the platform in the gymnasium. Thedoors were closed. The Exter lads had been taken in charge by someRandall fraternity members, but it could not be said that there was aspirit of gaiety observable. Only those of whom it was absolutelyrequired attended lectures. The others, not charged with the extendingof courtesies to the Exter lads, hung about the gymnasium, waiting forany news that might leak out.
"Well, boys, what's to be done?" asked Holly, rather helplessly, as hefaced his committee. Tom, Sid, Phil and Frank, of course, were present.
"Who's got anything to suggest?" asked Dan Woodhouse.
It seemed that the two trainers and managers were all at sea, as,indeed, were most of the others.
"I suggest that Frank tells us all he knows about this case," said Tom,finally. "We're with him to the last. I guess I needn't say that,though," he added.
"That's right," chimed in several others.
Frank arose, all eyes turned toward him.
"Fellows," he began, "I can't tell you how sorry I am that this thinghas come to you. It's like a bolt out of a clear sky to me, and Ineedn't say that I never dreamed of such a charge being brought."
"We know it," said someone.
"If I was surprised when the charge was made against Shambler--and headmitted it was true," went on the Big Californian. "I was completelyastounded when they named me as the second man. I hardly know what tosay."
"Did you really take part in those games?" asked Holly.
"I did, but there was not the least hint of professionalism. No onedreamed of such a thing. As I recollect it, a number of college fellowswere asked to compete. I was at Stanford University at the time. Ientered. It was for some charity. I've forgotten just what now, but ahospital, I think. A business men's committee was formed, and I was toldthere were to be several prizes offered for contestants. We didn't careabout them, for we only thought of doing our best and winning. We allsupposed the prizes would be medals, cups, or something like that.
"Then there was some talk of money prizes being offered. But I don'tbelieve any of us thought anything about it being professional tocompete for money, but I know we college fellows held a meeting.
"We decided unanimously that whatever prizes we won we would donate tothe charity for which the contests were run off. None of us wanted them.Then came the meet.
"I don't know just how many events I took part in. I think I won thepole vault, as well as the mile run, but I'm not sure. Anyhow, I knowthat after the games a man came up to me, and some of the other winners,with envelopes. I realize now that they must have contained money--theprize money.
"Everyone of us waved him aside, and the general order was: 'Give it tothe hospital,' if it was a hospital for which the meet was held. I knowI never accepted a cent, and none of the other college fellows did.That's all there is to it."
There was a short period of silence following the statement by the BigCalifornian. Then Tom arose in his seat.
"Mr. Chairman," he said, "I move you that we take a vote of confidencein Frank, first of all, and then that we send word to Exter and BoxerHall and Fairview, that the charges of professionalism are groundless inthis case, and that Frank will take part in the games."
"Second it!" yelled Joe Jackson.
"One minute," began Holly calmly. "I appreciate the spirit in which thatmotion was made, and I'll put it at the proper time. But, before I do,I'd like to know if anyone here has a copy of the A. A. U. rules bearingon professionalism. If he has will he see if they bear on this case?"
"I've got a copy!" said Dan Woodhouse, "and I know 'em pretty much byheart. I don't believe that Frank would be barred under the rules. Theymake the 'acceptance' of money a bar, I think, and by his own evidenceFrank didn't accept it."
"Not that I want to seem to believe for a moment this charge, butbecause I think we ought to be very sure of our ground, I make thissuggestion," spoke Phil Clinton. "Of course Frank didn't take, oraccept, the money. But might it not be said that by tacitly turning itover to the charity after winning it, that he had it? I'm afraid they'llsay--the committee I mean--that when he competed for a money prize hebecame a professional."
"No! No!" cried several.
"Well, that's one way of looking at it," said Holly Cross. "That's whatwe're here to decide. Shall we fight this case, and have it threshed outin a general meeting, or----"
"Fight! Fight!" cried a number.
"Frank isn't a professional, and never was," declared Sid Henderson,jumping up and excitedly waving his arms. "I say let's defy Exter andall the rest."
"And maybe break up the meet?" asked Dan.
"Fellows, let me speak once more," begged Frank. "I have thought thismatter over carefully in the last few minutes, and, while I don'tretreat one point from my position, perhaps a compromise would be betterthan a contest."
"No! No! Contest it!" was the general cry.
"Wait!" begged the lad who had most at stake. "This comes at anunfortunate moment. Shambler confessed that he was a professional.Fortunately it came in time to save the honor of Randall. Now, what Ipropose to do is for the further honor of our college."
"What's the matter with Frank Simpson?" demanded Bean Perkins.
"He's--all--right!" was thundered out.
"Thank you, boys," responded the Big Californian, when quiet had beenrestored. "I appreciate all that, but we must face the facts. As soon asit becomes known that Shambler has confessed, there will be a lot oftalk. Fortunately Randall can't be scorned. We have done our duty. Nowthere's this charge against me. There are some complications in it. Ibelieve----"
"A fair committee would never bar you," broke in Tom.
"Perhaps not," admitted Frank. "But we don't want any question raised.Boys," he went on, and his voice was solemn, "we have to think of thehonor of Randall before we think of ourselves. It's the college and notthe contestants who will be exalted, or dragged down, as the case maybe.
"I fully believe that I am in the right, and that no charge ofprofessionalism would stand against me. But, for the honor of Randall Iwant you to let me withdraw. I----"
"No! No!" came a storm of protests.
"Stick it out!" urged Joe Jackson.
"We're with you to the end," added Phil.
Frank raised his hand for silence.
"It's very good of you to say that," he went on, when he could be heard,"but I know how these things sometimes turn out. There is talk afterward.You don't want the success of Randall questioned, in case she should winthis meet."
"But can we win with you and Shambler out?" someone asked.
"Boys, you've got to--for the honor of Randall," said Frank quietly."You've just got to! You've got to let me drop out, and someone musttake my place. It can be done, easily. Someone must run for Shambler,too. I know it's going to be hard to get someone with his record, butwe'll do it. Boys, I'm not going to take part in the games. That'sfinal!"
In spite of the fact that they all expected this as a climax to whatFrank had started to say, it came as a shock. There was a tense silence,and then someone asked:
"Isn't there a way out? We need you, Simpson."
"There is no way out, except my resignation," answered Frank, "and Ihereby tender it now, formally, and ask that it be accepted at once.Then you can go into the games with a clean slate, and--win!"
For the Honor of Randall: A Story of College Athletics Page 26
