suddenly cut away in the pride of his manhood, he was barely 30 years of
age. He was greatly lamented, and his handsome figure is missed from the
football field.

John's death reminds me of a young and promising forward named Smith,
who used to play on the left wing of the Cedargrove in company with a
smart companion named Seward. Young Smith was a very enthusiastic
football player, and missed few, if any, practice games. Poor lad, I met
him twice in one season in matches with the Cedargrove, and it took all
my master knew to prevent him from getting clean past the Conquerors'
backs and scoring. He was a nice dribbler, and like Fred Adamson (an old
member of the same club), went straight ahead with a splendid hold of
the leather. Talking about Fred, I remember that player, in company with
Johnny M'Phedran and James Wilton, going for big Thomas, who was then
the Conquerors' captain, and played at half-back. Thomas was an awful
fellow to meet in a charge, and a hundred to one was sure to send his
opponent to grass. Johnny, however, who was a little bandy-legged, held
tenaciously to the ball, and while Thomas was eagerly watching his
opportunity, Fred sent him flat on his back, and the ball was close on
goal in an instant. There was a hard scrummage, and in the nick of time,
Joe Sayler (who was then the crack sprinter of the Conquerors), dashed
up and got the ball clear before it reached the keeper. Poor Smith, he
caught a severe cold one evening, and eventually succumbed to a painful
malady. The Cedargrove were at one time hard to beat. In fact, in the
early history of the Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, they
pressed my master's club hard for the trophy, and were only
vanquished--after three games--by one goal to none.

The Red Cross were also dangerous opponents, and possessed not a few
capital players. There were John Huxter, Sandy Kenneth, Jack Williams,
Joe Drummond, and Bill Millins. They were not easily beaten. Sandy
Kenneth, though rather a quiet-looking customer to meet in the street,
developed into one of the finest half-backs that Scotland ever produced.
He was always cool and collected, and, although by no means a very hard
kicker, could judge the ball to a hair-breadth. Sandy was especially
clever in tackling, which he could manage without deliberate charging.
If the ball got up close on the goal which he defended, he would follow
the dribblers, and with a clever manoeuvre on the left foot, obtai