Ralph Henry Barbour

“ We made a good deal of Patsy. We pretended that he was very, very old and sophisticated—not a difficult task—and deferred to his judgment on all occasions. But in spite of this Patsy never became “fresh.” To be sure, he speedily began calling Fosgill “Bull,” but I don’t think he meant the slightest disrespect; every one called the big fellow “Bull,” and it is quite possible that Patsy believed it to be a title of honor. He was attentive to all of us, but his heart was Fosgill’s. ”

“ Yes, we had it all fixed up for Patsy and we’d have done it just as planned if Patsy hadn’t gone and spoiled it all. And it happened like this:
When the Dual Meet came along in June we were all to the good. We couldn’t see how we were to lose first in anything except the quarter, the high hurdles, the hammer-throw and the broad-jump. And we had enough seconds and thirds in sight to make good. If Bull Fosgill could beat Tanner with the shot we were It.
That’s the way we had the situation sized up, but of course things didn’t happen just as expected; they seldom do in athletics. ”

“ Some one mentioned Patsy, and Mosher spoke up:
“Say, fellows, let’s see that that little cuss does get into college. What do you say?”
“I’ll go you!” cried Fosgill. “He’s an all-right kid, is Patsy, and he deserves something better than spending his life on the streets. We’ll adopt him.”
“Sure thing,” said Allen. “But we’ll have our hands full. And what’s to happen when we leave college?”
“We’ll get some one to look after him. We’ll have a talk with Brother Brian about it. But, say, Bull, imagine Patsy putting the shot!” ”