The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1882-08-12
IN THE CRANBERRY SWAMP.

~
IN THE CRANBERRY SWAMP.
"What do you keep him forP' queriod
Ned Edwards M his companion fastened
the dog kennel With n wooden button,
after having given It's occupant his even
ing meal and u goodnight potting-
"He's certainly Of no use, and must be
good deal Of trouble
Eyes. he's Of no usc," replied Jim
Harrington, "but the time was when
old MAJOR was my best friend and could
well earn his living. and It's only fair to
care for him In his old age now. will
not give him AWAY for fear that hc may
be- abused, and | never could get up
enough courage TO shoot the poor fcl.
lows
but why do you lock him upp'' con-
tlnucd Ned. "No one viii steal him."
"That's true" laughed his comrado,
but strange Us u may seem the old
rascal has lately taken n notion ~ run
away. and ~ 10 keep him out Of danger
built that kennel and shut him In"
~ Iheiboys were nj the gate now. and
Ned turned down the road toward
home 7
"You won't forget the match Satur-
day afternoon" called Jim after him;
ION the lower meadow nj two o'clock
sharp. The Swampvillc Club have got
a new pitcher, and we've got TO work
hard to beat them"
"All right I'll DO on handr' shout
cd Ned. in reply. 'and the Bccchcn
Hill Stars will beat the Swampville
chaps two to onel You'll sool Good
night"
Thursday, Friday. Saturday. School
nj last was over. and IN the warm juno
sunlight the rival bali players gathered
IN the lower meadow forthe long talked
Of game which should decide the rc.n-
tive merits of the adjoining, towns.
Upon this momentous occasion the
Swampyille Rockets wern' alfred In
suits Of white, with brilliant rcd belts,
reminding ono of c~ircingles. while tho
redoubtablc Bccchen 1Hm STARS
wore simple blue. With tho players
came a great crowd Of spectators and
camp followers upon either side, botl
boys and dogs; and after tho usua|
skirmishing for innings, the nccc ssar,
amount Of shouting. aud the issuance o.
innnmeiable orders from the respective
Captains TO their "men," tho gams
began.
II was a long aud hard fought battle.
The question was not IN this case, as II
some champion tournaments, how small
ascore ono party cQdrd limit the oihel
10. but tho rather how great anumbeI
Of runs each ride could make bciorp 70
II was during the first Inning that
new spectator appeared upon the field
IN old Major. who had somehow es
il' card frum his kennel. and. attracfe,
NJ Tho distant shouting. camc slowl,
troiiing down tho road- Ills msste
obeefved him and called to him. but tn
old dog vas wary, Tearing 10 lose HI
freedom Just gained. and took position
a. one side o. the2 ncld. within Sigh
IL the pInyen, but also within ens.
reaeh OF the cranberry swamp wlie'
lay back Of the meadow, 50 that rctnca
might bc open 10 him In case he wa
putsuvd. But bis young master Ia,
wciGhticr maitcfs alpn bis mind tina
the capture Of tho runaway, and Majo
remained u~ndisturhed 1t his post rs IN
play went on.
Tho final struggle began. Every NOV
1T the ono party vi q snxiously watchc
by tho other, and n soon became cv'
dent 10 the sins'' that whatever run
they made must be earned. One. tw
men were Out. and not q single tall
had hesn scored when Jim Harringto
veal 10 the bah He was one Of N
best members Of the s.Stars,' and ii
entire club took heart rs they saw m
v~sp,ute look upon his lace m he grnspe
The heavy pine club and raised Il owe
his shoulder In waiting for the comm
jim Won't nlwf' cried some OF h
morn ~en(hudastic friends. cagerl,
He's surc "a make one run. anywa,
There ehe roesis
1r,1 en6l>1h, u that instant Harm,
b ~ knoukgh. snd the bali was, d,
iuR hlRhI through the air. fairly pazsln
The limits Of the meadow, and fallin
II last among the gnsrlcd and matte
buuhss that frinxed the crauberr
swamp.
A srsas shout arose. hall a dozs
"netkets" shot away IN pursuit IN
fined back and forth among the TAI
eled vines searching IN hot hast for Il
hidden ball. while Harrington, wi
wonderful speed. ran from base TO b.
44nmefl ~ ha.( x.~rk~I ske f,,II l,,o.f !.