Over the Line   By: Harold Morrow Sherman (1898-1987)

OVER THE LINE

BY

HAROLD M. SHERMAN

Author of

One Minute to Play Touchdown! Hit by Pitcher Bases Full, Etc.

The Goldsmith Publishing Co.

Cleveland, Ohio

COPYRIGHT 1929, BY

THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO.

INTRODUCTION

When a new fellow moves into the neighborhood, you look him over, strike up an acquaintance and sort of go around with him, but not until he shows the sort of stuff he's made of do you take him into the gang and make a real pal of him, or else let him alone, as the case may be.

It's somewhat the same with a new book. You look through it, read it and if it's good stuff, the author, like the new chap in the neighborhood, becomes one of the gang. And when such an author keeps on producing sure fire stuff, like Harold M. Sherman has been doing, there is no doubt at all that his books will be read.

This book deals with the mental hazard that has been the downfall of so many chaps. But Judd Billings overcomes his obstacle while still at high school and how he later makes a name for himself at college, makes this a book that will be instantly liked by all who read it. In fact, all one need say is that it is a Harold M. Sherman book.

J. D. V.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I THE STRANGE CONTRACT II JUDD GRITS HIS TEETH III A KICKER Is DISCOVERED IV FIGHTING SPIRIT V FOR A SCRAP OF PAPER VI ILL NEWS AND A NEW ARRIVAL VII THE FIRST NIGHT VIII JUDD PRACTICES FOOTBALL IX AT THE FAIR X THE ATTEMPTED HOLD UP XI BENZ BROODS XII ONE KIND OF LOYALTY XIII AN IMPRACTICAL JOKE XIV THE CONFESSION XV JUDD GAINS A PROMOTION XVI BEFORE THE GAME XVII THE FIRST HALF XVIII THE SECOND HALF

CHAPTER I

THE STRANGE CONTRACT

"Judd, I'd rather a fellow would be anything else but a quitter!"

Judd jumped to his feet, eyes blazing.

"I'm not a quitter ... but I'm not gonna go back to school!"

Bob Billings, older brother, stared for a moment, unanswering. Judd had come on to the city to visit him during summer vacation. Since the father's death and Bob's attending Bartlett College, there had been little chance for the two to be together, especially with Bob employed in the Star Sporting Goods store, miles away from Trumbull, the little town near which the Billings family lived.

"You've got to get a hold on yourself," Bob said, finally, "I'd no idea you'd gotten this way. You're babying yourself out of everything you'd really like to do. And here I'd counted on your taking up on that Trumbull High team where I left off! No reason why you couldn't either ... you've got a much better physique than I have. That work on our farm has given you the muscles of an ox. You've got a grip in those hands that would make most fellows yell for help. Only trouble with you is you don't know your own strength and you're afraid to use it. Right now a much smaller guy could tie you into bow knots!"

Judd's face flushed. He had a great deal of respect for his older brother, Bob. It was Bob who had written the greatest athletic page in Trumbull High history by his feats in baseball, football and track. And then, when the war had broken out, it was Bob who had enlisted in the air service and come back from abroad with the Croix de Guerre and a distinguished service medal with several citations for bravery. And now, as a senior at Bartlett College, it was Bob who was heralded as the outstanding member of the football team. Yes there was no question about it Bob was a he man!