New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-22
Name. lob BITIP. IA. E.
S0ithers. jOIOIOiO IOI6

At homo never was trusted to play, but
often better players. could not afford the
], who had both leisure and funds, was fire.
4uently enabled to crafty the darling am
bition Of all the young men of Wapanseh,
and figure in the nine.
The fourth of July had almost been
reached, oand We were engaged to play q
match at the town of Somerville, some 100
miles away. S0merville b6asted its club, of
course. for there Is not q town or village IN
the country that has not its base ball club
and literary society. 1t was famous club,
and players spoke almost with awe of its
members, who had graduated into profess
siOnsl mines and were winning-and sell
ing-hist0ric games daily in eight of all
men. And had it not been recorded even
in the World that once the Actives, of
Somerville, had defeated the mighty Mu-
tuals by three to two! We had often played
with this club, but never defeated il, though
once or twice victory had barely eluded our
grasp ut tho supreme m0ment-thanks to
me. whom the irate Excelsiors would GER
tsinly have lynched had not their disgust
been too excessive for deeds as we'll as
words
The eve of the great match had arrived.
and was sitting gloomily in my bed room.
The door was locked, for it was nearly mid
thunder storm. with ftful dashes of rain,
was raging without. i was meditating,
need hardly say, of ne1t days game. just
my luck, of course" said, half aloud,
1.-The bigeeet match we ever played in, and
i have no chance Of playing But" l
Continued bitterly, "what difference does
that mako after all! If played, should
only play badly. Upon my word, think I'd
give my soul to be crack player just for
one year."
There was at that instant q fearful
crash Of thunder and blaze of lightning
go intensely vivid that for few seconds l
was literally blinded. The little clock on
the mantel piece tinkled twelve. At that
moment l. heard . voice saying "Excuse
me-" and felt hand laid lightly on my
shoulder. Looking round l saw a stranger.
aspect soberly dressed in black. I noticed
that he had two club feet, but gave this no
more than momentary attention. He had \
. long paper covered parcel in his hand.
Excuse me-" he repeated, II knocked
twice. but you must have been deep in
thought; possibly, too, that last peal of
thunder drowned my tap"
l was too much surprised at his sudden
appearance to speak for Q moment, and he |
continued:
Thinking that probably you might want |
something in my line have ventured to
call on my way through your town." So |
saying he removed the wrappings from the |
parcel in his hand, and disclosed to my view
y bat.
There" he said with enthusiasm, ethere,
sir, is my patent H. r. bat, warranted to fit
want to place it, makes anything you want
from an earned base to Q clean home run,
never gives q chance, and never was known
to hit . foul. Feel it. Light as feather
in the hand, but heavy as lead when it
strikes. Observe the perfection of the
poise, the exquisite finch, the grace of the
curves and lines That's bat, sir, that an
enthusiast might give his soul for
felt aud poised it. 1t was in appear
snce all that he claimed it to be.
ut looks like an excellent one," said:
''what's the price p
Il don't sell it" he ans wered.'
Them said ], why did you bring it to
me il you didn't wish to sell it!'
ut isn't for SALE" continued my guest,
and day. You see want to introduce
the article, and"
But" made answer, '.if that is your
object, why not select good and well
known plsyerw
Because" he said, In reply, eff / did so
the player would receive much of the
credit due to the Dat. take it that you
DO uVU q VAhAA0AU RA0yCAs ANOWs II yOu, Nv /
using my bat, are ut Gnce transformed into
, famous player, what more convincing
could be desired"
Very true" responded.
Every well, them" said he, '.iust sign
his receipt" and he pushed me over pa
Der that lsigned without looking at.
II guess that I've dipped my pen into
he red ink by mistake" said I.
Never mind, never mind" Bald he,
'that'n do. Would you oblige me with the
ime. Ny eyes are nor ~ good as they used
o bew
l arose and went to the clock. When |
urned round there was NO one in the room.
~ strange visitor had vanished a. suddenly
10 he had entered.
"Devilish odd" soliloquized. ''devilish
DID," The bat was there, however, and I
nee or twice when ] woke in the night l |
awic CLEAN in the flashes of lightning.
Iawoke early ON the morning of the fateful
,urth, and ~ first thought the odd events
the night only dream. The bat, how o
yer, stood where had left it overnight. n
akinG it and my travelins-bag, started \
Y the trAin. 'Hullo," saia 4. q / tried
10 door. rho doors locked. How did MY p
lend ret in lat night Perhaps, thoudk, II Il
locked fhoInr a6W ovent ct. That
ust have Abendt.1a A1uO1n1Dnoou4 latuod Z
. Ion. on the ! Rsaaiee4s, and :,
u1.n - g. ~~S Ea~a~ I ~