The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09

Ing the news, 50 that by the time three
o'clock came, there were several hundred
ranged along under the shadows Of the |
trees to watch our performances.
The little rascal also pointed me out |
IS former professional, who had refused
offers from all the clubs IN
The country, so that great expectations |
were formed concerning me.
! grieve to say, however, that ! over
heard several disrespectful Temaks con-
eerning my ponderosity, as I moved
about among my friends, picked up the
bats, and tried them with the of handed
ness OF professional.
I was not without misgivings, tor there
was nothing but my former skill TO count
upon, and that was an exceedingly elem
er thread.
In throwing the ball, before the game,
I tried my best to hold it, but muded
every one, with single exception, and
that I held by accident. But it made
my hands tingle and smart, though I
didn't let any one see it.
My great relief, however, was, in, OBJ
serving that all the others were about az
deep in the muffin bueiness as was;
and there's nothing like company when
you're scared or miserable.
I tried little with the bat, and did
little better, forgetting that in this case
the balls were pitched precisely as I
wished them, while in the game it would
be exactly the opposite; that is, if the
pitcher knew anything about his bust
ness.
I 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 I stepped up to
the home-plate, and took up the ash in
my old-time style.
A good many remarks from the crowd
were audible: "Knock the stuffing out of
itp' He's George Wight IN disgulsel'
"He's Dickey Pearce grown stouterl'
'Try Anti Fat!' and similar express
sions reached my ears.
Ball players must be accustomed to
such annoyances, for they are often utter
ed for the very purpose Of influencing the
game. But I was angered, and seeing
the ball coming fairly over the home
plate, I banged away at it with all my
might.
, I 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 of and my
self almost to stagger over on my head
with sudden dizziness. sa~
A general laugh followed this failure,
and nv cheeks burned with chagrin, for
7 was sure that the hasty glance which I
cast down toward the grove, showed my
particular friend of the gentle sex smil-
ing at the figure I cut. ........
Before l could get in Storm" as they
say, the second bali was pitched. The
umpile yelled "Strikel" Just az the cube
struck me In front and nearly took my
breath away. u.
There was another laugh, and the
pitcher called out, "Beg paahrdonl' Ut
tered just as you will hear it about a
hundred times when couple of college
clubs are playing for the championship.
I told him it was all right, but if it
was repeated it would be his last pr
Torrance, and I scowled terribly, and
griped nay bat in a suggestive way.
drove away at the third bali, and
caught it fairly on the end Of my bat.
There was sharp crack like pistol
shot, and a roar Of applause went up
from the crowd, as started like a buf-
falo for the first base.
didn't see the bali, and when cur
captain shouted, "Come homel come
homel'' made desperate effort to COM
plete the circuit OF the bases.
At the first my hat went of. But what
Of 1tG No professional would mind such
thing. Before l reached second, one
Of my shoes shot up in the air behind nae
and dropped down on nay head, and I
heard laughter mingling with applause.
BY tho time reached second, began
to feel tired, and wanted to sit down and
rest, but about all our nine were chasing
after me, clapping their hands, dancing
and screechlng like lunatics. -
"Run it outl A home runl The best
hit you ever made! This'n win the game
Run hard; all the ladies are watching
your' =
couldn't think of stopping with such
Indictment in my ears, though was al
most out of breath, and a sudden kink
in my left ankle caused me to limp and
nearly fall. 49,.
I went painting by second with bulg-
ing eyes, and my other shoe went up
like rocket over my head.
Forging by third with the whole pack
at my heels, while all the other nine were
shouting to the oenter-felder to throw
it IN, I struck tor home.
"Get out of the roads, called the
crowd. "That chap can't stop: He'll
have to go around three or tour times be.
fore he can put on the ,brakesl Let the
band play" etc.
Well, I reached home-plate second
ahead Of the ball. which, being thrown
in from long distance, struck me and
helped me forward somewhat.
Seeing how close the contest was, the
captain shouted to me to slide in, and I
did SO. I thought if could slide few
inches it would serve to rest me. I sue
ceeded, though 1t played havoc with my
trousers, though the damage was not If
reparable. 4
When it was seen thatI had made a
home run, the applause was terrific and