The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-20

They had also some other clothes, bu.
we don't remember about them. The
catcher had more uniform than all the
ba ance. Over his face was a wire cage.
like q biz mouse trap. He looked ike
the Man in the Iron mask" 1t keeps
him from catching the ball with his
teeth. a similar one will hereafter be put
over the Virginian pitcher lest he get mad
and bite the Umpire. If little pitchers
have big ears they VIII pay attention
to this hint The catcher also wore a
quilted continuance like an apron or ex-
aggerated Liver Pad suspended from his
neck. 1t would lessen the perils Of the
game if the battist also wore one. A
ball struck Bently in his side. lust under
the pericardium, and Doctors Mckee and
Sexton were instantly called for. Capt
Askcw ais got a little ~love-tap that
peeled the bark in no soothing style.
Ii we were a catcher we would want
to have a whole suit Of armor on. The
bravery of n gladiator excited onr
warmest admiration. The man who
seeks the bubble reputation at the can-
mons mouth was only 4 circumstance TO
ms crit. As the striker slightly hit the bali
ON the third time OF asking, the catcher
neatly picked it red hot of the club
Then he threw his iron mask on the
gre uud and went back almost to the
fence to catch the next man out at a
long range.
1t was to be a low ball, and as Il
came like lightning Just above the grav-
81 after ticking the bat, the gladiator dug
down his hands to catch it, and catch i
he did. The ends of lis fingers were
cruelty o by the coarse gravel, but he
held 10 Tie ball like grim death, till tie
umpire cried out" Then he dropped
the ball and walked up and down as if
he were a wild mar of d circus walkiu-
back and forth in his den, swearing soft
ly to himself. lie merely seemed to be
walking up and down, trying to calm
some inward devotion, aud his pursed
up lips and thoughtful expression gave
the idea that he was ~endeayoring To re-
ccaect some tune that he wanted 10
whistle. Several times in the game did
some n get his fingers smashed, or
his ribs bruised with that demon ball.
But they stood and took their punish
isnment like heroes. The crowd cheer
ed. 1t was part OF what they paid their
money to see.
THE BATTERY AT WORK.
A grea. many of the spectators were
seeing their first game OF base ball hence
found a special interest in every feature.
Low BALI" shouted somebody.
The pitcher who stood with his left side
to the striker, kneading the ball in his fist,
seemed suddenly convinced that some
one else needed it more, and the next in
Sto1Y w,tl IN oJ,nI - vrnc ~ tho ho-J-oy
the Roman gladiator behind the striker.
"One ball !" cried a ~spry-looking citi-
zen IN blue habiliments who stood behind
the catcher.
What's that man doing there asked
a by-Stander. Hell get hurt if he don't
keen out Of the way"
''Oh, that's Sam Colev, the umpire.
Great heavens if | have to explain such
things as that to you, as well as report
this game, I'll want a vacation after this.
Two balls - shouted the citizen.
What does he mean by two balls ?"
why, ifthere are six balls the striker
makes a base run
A base rum"
Yes, gets to first base
Three balls"
What's the matter with the balls"
He's throwing wild"
And if he throws wild six times the
striker eau 90 to the first base. That
it?'
Certainly"
'One strike" cried the umpire.
did you notice that? The man didn't
strike, yet the umpire says he did"
lie ought to have struck"
Then il counts a strike '
Yes"
well, why don't he run2"
"Oh, see here. Why don't you read up
something about this game, or ask = news
bow. | really can't wrestle with such
dense ignorance as this"
GoT LEFT.
We watched the game in silence. At
last the striker with a magnificent swing
of the bat sent the ball like a rocket into
the air. As the ball curved gracefully
down a reception committee started to
meet it.
Il have it." cried Charlie Jordan as he
legged it over the turt. The rest with
drew and the next moment it nestled In
his tingling hands.
1t was a great lesson in the ambitions
aud disappointments of this life to see
the striker. He ran with all the get-up
aud-git of a candidate-then all left him
in an instant, his hands hung by his sides
and he slouched off with the air of amau
done with the ~vanitips of this world, ard
an flung himself down on the grass.
He's out, isn't be ?" some one asked
excite1ly.
Why of course he's out. How the
dickens do you expect MIN to stay In when
the balls caughtoff his hat?'
Il only ask for information" You
needn't keep him IN on my account, you
know. [ don't insist on it"
Take it all in all,-base ball is an
amusing game. But the main fun Is
behind the wire screen. You can have
our share of the battery. 1t there i
ever a draft to fill the vacancies from
death or disablement in the Base BAL
Battalion we shall do like Blaine anO
hunt up a substitute.
Still it is interesting to look at
Capt. Askew has done a good thing in
reviving the game here. The remark is
frequently heard that Raleigh this sum
mer has been livelicr than usual not
withstaudiDg the financial stringency
The various matches have brought hal
a dozen large excursions from distan'
points thereby putting a good deal o
money IN circulation. And so loug az
the game is conducted in a respectable
manner, without quarreling, drunken
ness, or gambling, it will be enjoyable
THE NEGRO VOTE. The cOloreC
people of Cincinnati organized a Cleye
land and Hendricks club last night, will
II3 members enrolled. The cleaner o
political straws should bind this in hi