Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-09-11

poise, the exquisite finish, the grace of
the curves and lines. That's q bat, sir,
that an enthusiast might give his soul
for" re- - mi ..ssse8G
"I felt it and poised it. It was
in appearance all that he claimed it
to be. -,ts} .ts.a 3
"It looks like an excellent one," I
said; what's the price?' a fe
"s I don't sell it," he answered.
sa". Then said I, why did you bring
it to me if you didn't wish sell to itY
"s It isn't for sale,' continued my
guest, but I don't mind lending it to
you for year and q day. You see I
want to introduce the article, and
But ] made answer, If that is
your object, why not select good and
well-known playerY @ ~
"s Because, he said, in reply, If I
do 80 the player would receive much of
the credit due to the bat. Itake it that
you are not brilliant player. Now, If
you, by using my bat, are at once trans
formed into famous player, what more
convincing testimonial could be de-
sired ?" 70 -. ~. ae4.
"sTrue, true,' I responded.
every well, then, said he; Just
sign this receipt and he pushed me
over paper that 1 signed without look
ing at. i 't as a
"'I guess that I've dipped my pen
into the red ink by mistake said ]"
Never mind, never mind, said he;
that1l do. Would you oblige me with
the time-my eyes are not as good as
they used to be p .ss s
''I arose and went to the clock.
When turned round there was no one
in the room. My strange visitor had
vanished as suddenly as he had en-
tered. seh .t .f.
6" Devilish odd,' I soliloquized, 'dev-
ilish odd. The bat was there, however,
and once or twice when I awoke in the
night saw it CLEAN in the flashes of
lightning. A +-7.. 5-9
"I awoke early on the morning of the
fateful Fourth, and at first thought the
odd events of the night only dream.
The bat, however, stood where had
loft it overnight. Taking it and my
traveling-bag, started for the train.
Hullo. said I, as I tried the door, the
doors locked. How did my friend get
in last nightP Perhaps, though, /
locked the door after he went out.
That must have been it. A few min
utes later was on the train with my
companions and we were flying toward
Somerville. 'ra t'-
"The new bat came in for notice
and favorable comment. OF course, I
told them nothing of how I came by it.
Good bat that said Thompson, our
short-stop, good bat; now Smithers,
just you get player to match and at
this small wit they oil laughed. Sorry
you won't have chance to use it, said
Morton, our Captain and catcher. (As
usual, I was only substitute, the
spare man, kept in case of accidents,G'
% It was nearly 9 O'clock when tha
cars glided into Somerville. just as we
were stepping from the platform some
one behind pressed too closely upon
Thompson, and he fell forward heavily,
trying to break the fall with his hands.
A cry of pain broke from him as we
picked him up; he Ind sprained his
wrist. I" ''' 60 ''''
This is pleasant, said Morton.
Well, Smithers, ii let's you in, and you'll
have chance of using the new bat
after ALL" ''~i. %"
I" It was little after 3 o'clock when
the game opened, the Actives at the
bat. 1t was o lovely midsummer day.
I can see the whole picture, bright and
lifesome, even now; the long level field
intensely green, lined thickly at end
with gazers; the groups seated dispers-
edly here and there upon the grass;
the boys seated on the fences; the
people standing up on the carts and
wagons; brass band, horribly out Of
tune, braying Hail Columbia;' a re-
freshment tent with long queue of peo-
pie pressing up to d sloppy counter
made of board on two beer-kegs;
behind, all the white town, over which
streamed flags innumerable; before
stretch of smiling champaign with here
and there tall tree whose branches
streamed gracefully before the wind.
"Dead silence as the first of the
Actiyes stepped to the plate. You
could hear the strident crick-crick' of
a grasshopper or the mufied tapping
of q lazy flag. I was at center field.
Put him where he'll do most good
or least harm, said the Captain fiatter-
ingly when it was debated where
should be stationed.
"There ia always nervous period at
the beginning OF a ball or cricket match
or game Of billiards that characterizes
no other sport, except perhaps an exc
cution. It becomes relief to hear the
first click OF the bat on the ball; with
the first rush Of the fielder the spell is
broken.
Low ball. called the umpire. A
couple OF deliveries - then came the
warning cry, One striker GALL the
emphasis on the 'one') then vicious
blow, and the baseman started to run,
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