The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-09-08
RUNNING AWAY.

baseball between his club, the Excel
siors, and the Plumtown club, and be
did want to have his side beat. Who
would take his place as first base. he
wondered; and the center-iielder also
would be away.
There sat the miserable center fielder
at the other end of the bench, his book
before him, and fearful frown upon
his brow.
Matt returned to his definitions, and
wrote fiercely:
Baker-One who bakes
Artist-0ne who arts
Splnster-One who spins."
"Don't care,n muttered Matt. al
won't look word out. Fingers lust
stiff, writing so long; and sides, it's So
mean to keep Teller in and make him
lose match gamer'
1hump! came something upon the
book. A piece of paper wound up
tightly, evidently thrown by the center
fielder. Matt unrolled it promptly, and
read: -
DEAR MATT: think it's awful mean; and
besides, tn morning had 10 get up and XIII
potato-ougs Let's run away. Bon.
Oblivious of stiff fingers, Matt grasped
his pen, and wrote with characteristic
brevity:
DaAR Bon: As soon as we get out Yours,
Times up," said the master. with q
look at his watch, in his compassion
making the delinquents apresent Of five
minutes.
Bob and Matt found deleoation ~
boys IN the yard, waiting for them.
ssYsho r.l
here" said Marcus Clark. Hurry M.
and you II be in time for the next inn
ing.'
The first base and the center-feld
look at each other.
Let's have the game first" signaled
play-loving Matt; and Bob nodded a
prompt assent.
Now Matt was the only son of his
mother, and she widow. The neigh.
bors said the good woman had but a
single fault. and that was a foolish in
diligence Of her son Matt; and vet thew
never suspected how far she went in
pampering that boy-how she ran mn.
stairs and down stairs at his beck and
cali. and brushed his clothes and
olacked his boots; how she got up
and gave him the most comfortable
Chair when he came into the
room; how she allowed him to rule
over the man-servant and the maid
servant, and even the stranger within
her gates. 1t was wonder that Matt
was not a disagreeable despot. in
stead OF q jolly, play-luving, rood |
tempered urchin. with but now and
then occasional moods of imperiousness
and self-will.
1t was only upon one point that Matt |
could not have his own way. That her
boy should go regularly to school, his
mother insisted with unfiinching firm
ness. Mats tears in this case had no I
effect. Even shutting himself in his
room and refusing his meals was in
vain. although it worked well in
other cases. Every morning saw
Matt, with good lessons OF bad.
IN his way to school. He felt himself
abused, and fully justified in running
away from such systematic cruelty.
His forehead ached with study, and his
fingers were lame with holding the pen.
AS for Bob, his life was made up of
lnpieasantnesses. of chopping wood, of
wedding, and hoeing, and study. All
vas somber, dark monotony OF duties:
md no baseball to speak of crept into
he desolation of his days. His back
lched with work. and his legs were ready
o drop-at least, that was Bob story:
md he was determined to live no LONGER
N the farm. Once in the city, he could
inter- some big mercantile house. like
ne smart boys he was so fond Of read
ng about. and soon become Junior
'artner and marry-no. ne wouIdn,t
marry the old fellows daughter! be
ated girls, anyhow, and he would leave
hat part out.
When the boys reached the base. bali I
round, they found the Excelsiors in a
air way to defeat. They had had but
ne inning, and already the Plumtown
oys scored six to their nothing.
Matt slipped into the game with the
examination to win the victory or
erlsh in the fray. Oh, how that bow
'orked! You would never have sns.
ected that his head was aching and his
ngers lame. To watch his stout youn0
'gs scud from base to base, who would
ave supposed that they had been too
'eary to bear him to farmer Browns
nat morning for the milk?
II was the last inning, and the score
both clubs was the same. Matt stood.
at in hand, watching for the bali. His !
yes were bright with determination.
40 ne was sure he would not miss it.
iready it was hurled through the air:
nd seeing it come towards him he /,
vung his bat-and then a faintness
ame over him, and the crowd around
le fence seemed multiplied to thou
lnds. The ball had struck him right | !;
oove the bright blue eyes. leaving q
1ge white swelling in its place. Poor.
md mother! It was mercy that she | (.
as not among the crowd that saw tho
oyish figure drop to the ground.
Both clubs flew at once to his side.
7" Bob. help me raise him." said Maj: /