The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-08-11
IN THE CRANBERRY SWAMP.

"What do you keep him for?" queried
Ned Edwards as his companion fastened
the dog kennel with a wooden button,
after having given its occupant his even
ing meal and goodnight petting.
"He's certainly of no use, and must be
a good deal of trouble
Yes, he's of no use," 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. Twill
not give him away for fear that he may
be abused, and / never could get up
enough courage to shoot the poor fell
lowr'
"But why do you lock him up?' con-
tinued Ned. "No one will steal him"
THAT'S true" laughed his comrade.
:" but strange as it may seem the old
rascal has lately taken a notion to run
away, and so to keep him out of danger
/ built that kennel and shut him in"
The boys were at the gate now, and
Ned turned down the road toward
home.
"You won't forget the match Satur-
day afternoonn' called Jim after him;
''on the lower meadow at two O'Clock
sharp The Swampville Club have got
a new pitcher, and we've got to work
hard to beat them.'
"All right! I'll be on hand!" shout
ed Ned, in reply, land the Beechen
Hill Stars will beat the Swampville
chaps two to one! You'll see! Good
night"
Thursday, Friday. Saturday. School
at last was over, and in the warm June
sunlight the rival ball players gathered
in the lower meadow for the long talked
of game which should decide the rela-
tive merits of the adjoining towns
Upon this momentous occasion the
Swampville Rockets were attired in
suits of white, with brilliant red belts,
reminding one of circingles. while the
redoubtable Beechen Hill "Stars"
wore simple blue. With the players
came great crowd Of spectators and
camp followers upon either side, both
boys and dogs; and after the usual
skirmishing for innings, the necessary
amount of shouting, and the issuance of
innumerable orders from the respective
Captains to their "men," the game
began.
It was long and hard-fought battle.
The question was not in this case, as in
some champion tournaments, how small
q score. one party could limit the other
to, but the rather how great a number
of runs each side could make before re-
firing.
1t was during the first inning that a
new spectator appeared upon the field,
in old Major, who had somehow es-
capped from his kennel, and. attracted
by the distant shouting, came slowly
trotting down the road. His master
Observed him and called to him. but the
old dog was wary, fearing to lose the
freedom Just gained, and took position
at one side Of the field. within sight
of the players, but also within easy
reach OF the cranberry swamp which
lay back of the meadow, SO that retreat
might be open to him in case he was
pursued But his young master had
weightier matters upon bis mind than
the capture of the runaway, and Major
remained undisturbed at his post as the
play went on.
The final struggle began. Every move
Of the one party was anxiously watched
BY the other, and it soon became evil
dent to the ..ins' that whatever runs
they made must be earned. One, two
men were out, and not a single tally
had been scored when Jim Harrington
went to the bat He was one of the
best members of the ''Stars," and the
entire club took heart as they saw the
resolute look upon his face as he grasped
the heavy pine club and raised it over
his shoulder in waiting for the coming
ball
"Jim won't missr' cried some of his
more enthusiastic friends, eagerly.
.He's sure to make one run, anyway.
There she goesr'
True enough, at that instant Harring-
ton Knocked. and the ball was seen fly
ing high through the sir. fairly passing