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Not far from Putnam Hall was another academy kept by a certain gentleman named Pornell. The pupils at Pornell's were also great football players, and one day they sent over a challenge that the Putnams, as they were dubbed, should play them a match for the championship of the township in which both seats of learning were located.
The challenge was brought, by Peleg Snuggers, who had gone over to Pornell's on an errand for Captain Putnam. "It's for you," said Snuggers, handing the communication to Sam. "The youthful captain of the eleven broke open the letter and read it aloud: "PORNELL ACADEMY, November 18, 189-
The members of the football team were all at hand, and it did not take long to find out each was in favor of the game, and then the matter was laid before Captain Putnam. "Want to play football with Mr. Pornell's lads, eh?" smiled the captain. "All right, I know of no healthier sport, rightly conducted. You shall play them, and on their grounds if you wish.
The halves were to be of twenty minutes each, so no time was lost in putting the leather into the field. It was Putnam's kick-off, and on the instant the ball went sailing into the air, to land well into Pornell's territory. Then came a grand rush, and before the words can be put down twenty-two lads were at it nip-and-tuck to get possession of the sphere. "It's Pornell's ball!"
Then Pornell tried some heavy mass play, but lost the leather on a fumble, and it came into Tom Rover's possession. Away flew Tom, as though a legion of demons were after him, straight for Pornell's goal. The crowd began to shout itself hoarse. "See Tom Rover! Go it, Tom, old boy, go it!" "He can't carry it through! See, Conkey and Largren are after him!" "There he goes down!
Tom felt more hopeful, but immediately after came three balls and then four balls, and amid a cheer from his friends the Pornell player walked to first base. The second man at the bat went out on a foul, and the cadets cheered this time. Then came a strong hit to left field, and in came one run. "Hurrah! 3 to 2 in Pornell's favor!" "You've got 'em on the run now, boys; keep it up!"
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