“Why, help us form the plans and back us up in them.  You are really the leader in school athletics in this town, Mr. Morton,” explained Prescott.  “I can quote you in ‘The Blade’ as to the benefits that would result in giving gym. training to workers who can’t attend High School.  And, in the spring, after 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 aid in training the young men, and in getting up sports and games for the gym. in winter, and for the athletic field in the spring.

As soon as the classes were opened they were crowded to their utmost capacity.  All of the younger portion of Gridley seemed suddenly anxious to go in for athletics.