CHAPTER XXII

AMERICAN ATHLETICS

Denver, Colorado.

THE other day I travelled on the train with a
star football team on their way from some college
in the west to play an important match in
Pennsylvania. Getting into conversation with
some of the team I found them very pleasant
company and with many interests beyond football.
Physically they were all remarkably fine specimens
and obviously in high condition. With them
travelled their coach; him I found repulsive,
though I was told by members of the team,
who seemed to regard him with rather mixed
feelings, that he was highly efficient at his job*
I felt sorry to see a group of such fine young
fellows under the tutelage of such a ruffian*
There was also a doctor with them, which seemed
significant.

I could not help asking myself what good they
would get out of it all in the long run, and found
myself weighing both sides of the question with-
out being able to come to any very definite con-
clusion. Their physique certainly was all that
could be desired—for a football match, but is

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