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Show 8 THE ACORN father said, "There is Clarence, one of our best men. He is but very little larger than I, yet he is holding out as well as any of the fellows." Mr. Sharp felt a kind of pity for his son, yet he must remain steadfast, partly because it was Jean's mother's desire that he should not play football. The father remembered his college days when his chief delight was in helping the boys keep "the gridiron" warm, and even yet he enjoyed a good spirited game as much as anybody. With a few more words, Jean turned and left the room. The day was very cold. This was the first Thanksgiving for many years where Thanksgiving had won in the race with first Snow Fall. Four o'clock was approaching when Mr. Sharp arose from his chair to go to the football game. Jean had long been gone, as he always was when a game between such rival colleges as these was played. At four o'clock Mr. Sharp could have been seen sitting in the first row of seats in the grand stand. Horns were blowing, students of the rival school were yelling, flags were waving, occasionally flapping in the face a less enthusiastic neighbor, and everywhere were signs of true school spirit. The game was called; and with every nerve strained,the spectators watched and cheered the losses of the visiting team with as much joy as they did the gains of the home team. Mr. Sharp, thinking of his son, watched a fellow who played guard. He was very much the same build as Jean yet Mr.Sharp thought him a trifle larger. Paying particular attention to this player, he noted two expert plays made by him and heard the megaphones shouting words of approval to the right guard. Through one very brilliant play, made by Mr. Right Guard, the ball was passed and a touch down made. Mr. Sharp sat watching this, and when the game was over and he was seated easily in the car, his thoughts were, "If a boy apparently the same size as Jean can play so well, perhaps it is foolish in us to deprive Jean of the pleasure." That night he and his wife held a long discussion. It was not until about two days after Thanksgiving that Mr. Sharp and his son found time to discuss the merits of the game; the father predicted a brilliant football career for the little right guard. Jane listened with amusment to the comments made by his critic, and then drawing a letter from his pocket read the following: Dear Jean: I write to congratulate you for your brillant plays Thanksgiving. Good for you old boy, the college should be proud of you and I know they are. Their right guard is all right, few could have done better. Your friend, Jack. Mr. Sharp sat and listened in THE ACORN 9 amazement while Jean explained that he entered the game through necessity as Bob Henry was unable to play. His father was so surprised to think that "he know not his own son" that he sat for a few moments in dumb wonderment. He then burst into a hearty laugh in which his son joined with equal merriment. Proofs from Nature of the Existence of a Creator In looking about us in nature, we become conscious that some supreme power is over-ruling all. The power that causes the tiny plant to spring out of a hard dry seed and grow into a mighty tree has filled many with wonder. Scientists have never been able to tell the difference between a seed that will grow, and one that will not. The composition is exactly the same; but that element which gives life is not to be found with a microscope. It is almost incredible to believe that the kernel of a peach stone can exert strength enough to crack open its hard shell and grow into a tree. Another thing that scientists have never been able to explain is how the immense column of sap in the large California trees is upheld. Some of these trees are from 450 to 500 feet high, and sap is found in the topmost leaf. Atmospheric pressure sustains water no higher than 30 feet. What then, holds the remaining 470 feet? The fibers of the tree are all porus, so they could not hold up such a weight. Some scientists have tried to prove that gravitation from the top holds water up, but it has been proved that the adhesion of one particle of water to another is not sufficient to stand the strain thus caused; therefore the column would be ruptured. It is almost inconceivable the amount of water absorbed by plants It is said that the common sun flower, in hot weather, evaporates from its leaves, in a single day, over one quart of water. About 3,800 gallons of water evaporates from an oak tree during its active season of growth about five months. The expansive force in trees is also very powerful, as shown by the great cracks in their thick bark. The open grave in Hanover is a marvelous example of this. There was once a German woman who would not believe in the resurrection and said that when she died she wanted her grave made so secure that no earthly power could open it. This was done, a large stone slab being placed over her. Some way a little seed got in the grave and finally sprouted, growing out one side of the stone. As it grew, the stone was gradually lifted, until it was finally turned completely over. |