r a winter
in the gym., young men and women could form outdoor squads for
running and other outside training. Altogether, sir, we think
we might make Gridley famous as a place where all who possess
any real energy go in to keep it up through public athletics.
And such classes of young men and women could have the use of
our athletics field."

By the time that recess was over the submaster certainly had enough
thoughts to keep him busy.

That afternoon Dick and Dave took Mr. Morton around to "The Blade"
office. Right at the outset Mr. Pollock jumped at the idea.

"Prescott," he cried, "you've sprung a big idea. 'The Blade'
will feature this idea for days to come. You may have a column,
or a column and a half every day, and 'The Blade' will also back
it up on the editorial page. Now, go ahead and get your stuff
in shape. Above all, have interviews with prominent men, especially
employers, setting forth the benefit that ought to come to the
young people and to the city at large. Take as your keynote the
idea that the city's duty is just as great to provide physical
education as it is to supply learning out of textbooks. You'll
know how to go ahead on that line, Prescott."

By the next day Gridley had something new to talk about. By the
time three days had passed the matter was being discussed with
great seriousness.

Employers saw, and said that the time young men spent in a gym.
would not be spent in billiard rooms or other resorts of a harmful
or useless character. Young women who went to the gym. would
be home and in bed early, instead of staying up most of the night
at a dance. All who entered the gym. classes would begin to think
about their bodily condition and plan to improve it. Improved
bodies meant a better grade of work and increased pay.

Dick wrote splendidly on the subject. "The Blade," editorially,
gave Dick & Co. full credit for springing the idea. The Board
of Education, at its next meeting, authorized the superintendent
of schools to throw the High School gym., open evenings for the
purpose indicated. It also voted Mr. Morton an increase of pay
on condition that he take charge of the evening gym. classes for
young men. One of the women teachers was granted a like increase
for assuming charge of the evening gym. classes for young women.

Dick Prescott, on behalf of the High School boys, guaranteed that
the most skilled in athletics among the High School boys would
be on hand to