The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-07-15

hoticeu. III you can't run, some on
may, run for you, and you will do a
good batting as any of them. No us
OF talking, therefore. I've got you dow
for the right-feld, where you won
have much to do, but can put on all th
style you wish"
Unfortunately, suffered myself to b
persuaded.
The Fourth of July turned out TO h
a splendid day-cool, breezy, and q
just the right temperature, and we wer
ajolly party that took the cars, early i,
the morning, and went over into Jerse,
to spend the day.
, L haven't space to describe a fourtl
part OF the history of those hours dissi
pated in the country.
There were about twenty-five gentle
men, and the same number of ladies'
each OF the latter having an escort.
1t was the expectation of us all that
our party-including the family of the
old farmer who owned the grove-woult
De the only witnesses of this memorable
contest; but one of his urchins EN-.
ployed himself for two days previous to
the game in spreading the news, so that
py The time three O'Clock came, there
were several hundred ranged along
under the shadows of the trees to watc +
our performances.
The little rascal also pointed mo ,ut
as former professional, who had re-
FUSED tremendous ffers from all the
clubs in the country, s. that great ex-
pectations were formed concerning me.
grieve to say, however, that l over
neard several disrespectful remarks con-
cernlng my ponderosity, as l moved
about among my friends, picked up the
bats, and tried them with the off-hand-
edness of professional.
was not without misgivings, for
there was nothing but my former skill
to count upon, and that was an exceed
ingly slender threi d.
In throwi G the ball, before the game,
tried my. best to hold it, but muffe
every one, with single exception, and
that, think, held by accident. But
1t made my hanas tingle and smart,
though [ didn't let any one see it.
My great relief, however, was, in OBJ
serving that ali the Others were about
as deep IN the muffin business as / was;
and there's nothing like company when
you're scared or miserable.
tried little with the bat, and did
better, forgetting that in this case the
balls were pitched precisely as | wished
them, while in the game it would be
exactly the opposite; that is, if the
pitcher knew anything about his busi-
ness.
was the last striker of the nine, and
as our players were put out in one-two-
three order, it was not until the close
OF The third inning that l stepped up to
the home plate, and took UP tie ash in
my old-time style.
A good many remarks from the crowd
were audible: KNOCK the stuffing out
OF it!' Hes George Wright in dis
gulse" He's Dickey Pearce, grown
stouter" Try 'Anti-Fat ~ and SINH
lar expressions reached my ears.
Ball players must be accustomed TO
such annoyances, for they are often ut
tered fcr the very purpose of inhuenc- |
ing. the game. But l was angered, and |
seeing the ball coming fairly over the
home-plate, | banged away at it with |
all MY might.
| came within about fourteen inches |
Of it, the momentum of my own blow |
carrying me completely around on my |
feet, causing my hat to fall off and my |
sell almost to stagger over on my head
with sudden dizziness.
general laugh follow this failure
and my cheeks burned with chagrin, for
was sure that the hasty glance which
[ cast down toward the grove, showed |
my particular friend of the gentle sex
smiling at the figure l cut.
Before | could get in "form," as they
say, the second ball was pitched. The
umpire yelled, "Strike!" lust as the
cube struck me in front and nearly took
my breath away.
There was another laugh, and the
pitcher called out, beg paahrdon !"
uttered just as you will hear it about
hundred times when couple of college
'lubs are playing for tie championship.
L told him it was all right, but if it
vas repeated it would be his last per-
ormance, and l scowled terribly, and
,riped my bat in a suggestive way.
L drove away at the third ball, and
aught it fairly on the end of my bat.
There was sharp crack, like pistol.
hot, and Il roar of applause went up
rom the crowd, as / started like a buf-
alu for first base.
l didn't see the ball, but when our ,
aptain shouted, Come home! Come
lome? l made a desperate effort to
omplete the circuit of the bases. ,
AT the hrst, my hat went off. But {
Vhat OF ltP No professional would mind s
uch thing. Before reached second,
me of my shoes shot up in the air be-
lind me and dropped down on my head,
no neard laughter mingling with ap- I
lause. ,
By the time reached second, began !
0 feel tired, and wanted to sit down and
est, but about ali our nine were chasing ,
fter me, clapping their hands, dancing !
nd screeching like lunatics.
run it out! A home-run! The best ,
it you ever made! This'll win the
anne! Run hard; all the ladies are |
,atching you!"
l Icouldn't think of stopping with such l
lcitements in my ears, though was al j
lost out of breath, and sudden kink |
! my left ankle caused me to limp and /
early fall.
went painting by second with bulg- !
lg eyes, and my other shoe went up like 8
rocket over my head. s
Forging by third with the whole pack c
my heels, while all the other nine
ere shouting to the center-fielder to {
ROW it in, l struck for home. 9
Get out of the road!" called the \
rowd. That chap can't stop He'll (
ave to go around three or four times s
eiore he can put on the brakes! Let
le band play!" etc.
We'll, l reached home-plate a second '
head OF the ball, which, being thrown r
from long distance, struck me and .
elped me forward somewhat. /
Seeing how close the contest was. the '
aptaln shouted to me to slide in, and / I
o so. | thought if could slide a few
lches it would serve to rest me. / {
lcceeded, but it played havoc with +
~ trousers, though the damage was /
ot irreparable. !
When il was seen that ba5