All of the younger portion of Gridley seemed suddenly anxious to go in for athletics.
"Prescott and his well-known comrades of the High School appear to be leading in the very vanguard of athletics this year," stated "The Blade" editorially.
Dick and his friends could not, however, give as much aid to the new scheme now as they intended to do later.

They were in the middle of the football season, and that had to be carried through first of all.
Yet it was a big evening for Dick, Dave and their chums when the High School gym.

was thrown open for the forming of the gymnastic class for young men.
Almost three hundred presented themselves for enrollment.

Scores of the leading citizens were also on hand to see how the new plan would take.

Among these latter was Herr Schimmelpodt, the retired contractor, who was always such an enthusiastic booster for High School athletics.
"I tell you, Bresgott, it vos a fine idea of yours," cried the big German, as he stood in a corner, looking on, while Dick talked with him.