The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-08-12

ing first on one foot then the other, like
turkeys in poultry yard. At one cor
ner stood man holding blank book.
who called out every few seconds
foul
"A rude bit Of candor," thought;
seven if they are like fowls he need
not tell them so"
He was doubtless a newspaper re-
porter. Standing on one foot seemed
to be restful prelude to some grand
coup d. etat. So, eager to use my
newly acquired knowledge, / whispered |
to my teacher: "This IS wasting time,
why don't they playp"
A half amused look from him and the |
answer: "They are half through the
game"
"You do not mean" began.
81 mean," he answered with elabor-
ate precision, ''that they have mover
ceased playing"
terrogate my left hand guide. A
woman would be less clever in the
intricacies of this modern puzzle. She
would be lenient and patient. Just
then Blue started on run and after
a furious race he suddenly fell sprawl
ing, with arms outstretched and legs
extended.
"Great heavens, he is killed!' I cried
in an agony of dread. Surely his head
struck square stone which happened
to be at that corner. l trembled from
head to foot and convulsively grasped
the arm of my friend.
Hush" she said. she only fell in
order to touch his base"
| "But such criminal carelessness as
to have stones in the way" I answer
back Indignantly.
''The stone is the base and he dropped
to touch it," said the laughing voice
of this woman-wholly equal to base
ball
"Then why not stoop and touch itP"
/ asked with the blood consciousness
of right.
A lightning glance from her and I
continued: Fgs
HE looked like lizard after q
wagon has run over it. f"
This brilliance was lost in . new
commotion. To me it was pande-
monium; to others clear as MONDAY.
They smiled, and clapped hands, and
nodded knowingly to each other; and
the great crowd cheered like madmen.
One ball multiplied to six. The Blues
and Athletes darted here and there
! without system, some running to one
corner of the little foot-path and some
to another, while few remained in
one spot and continued to alternate
their feet in spite of the man with the
book and his derisive shout of ''foul. y
At that moment ..put him out! put him
QUIT" was yelled by hundred voices.
sis there thief about?' | inquired
timidly.
No answer to my question, but
another shout from the spectators, wild
racing, furious yells, intermingling of
the brown and the blue uniforms when
in a twinkling the Athletes darted away
and left the Blues to ''go it alone. "
Among artists this blurred chaotic
mass might be called an impressive
picture, so startling was the resemblance
to some great work of the modern
school. s.See Naples and die ought
to be changed into ''Paint baseball as
it is and die" Put quantity of paint
on great canvas. let four giants bring
it down suddenly and expertlv; and
presto! the impressionist has the pict-
ure and frame too. Such were my
infantile and not very elevating
thoughts when the voice at my left
exclaimed delightfully."-: "Athletes
eleven to four" Her fair face beamed
with satisfaction and her hands clapped
softly together / seized the propitious
|, moment of her restored good humor
to seek information on what was to me
the most vital and perplexing part O
the game.
NY DEAR" / asked earnestly, "tell
me how such young boys learn this
difficult game?"
1t will be understood that by this
time was eating goodly share o1
humble pie. My friends sole answer
was look after the manner of Il city
belle to her rustic cousin, and then she
turned away from me. Not to bt
snubbed, I boldly plucked the sleeve O.
a mild-faced old gentleman who stood
near me, and said:
.'Sir, will you tell me how these ten
der boys acquire such dexterity and
strength"
"Boys?' he asked.
"Yes,n answered with fine enthusi
i asm, "this is marvellous for such youn!
fellows"
! A smile leaped into his eyes and he
too, turned to watch the game.
3 Base ball is not conducive to goo
manners" l unused, whatever it i
' for muscles.
, THE pitcher is out of his box,
, shrieked a small urchin near.
, sWhat does that mean?" I asked.
: "It means this" came the patien
' explanation from the forgiving teache
/ at my right, 1.-THE person standing i
: the center is the pitcher; there is q
: imaginary line around him called tn
!. box. He has no right to get outsid
t this imaginary line. "
! .sYes, yes. see, he pretends TO be
q pitcher in bowl-or box
J. This pitcher in his box (p) was
' conspicuous Individual Heperforme
e marvellous feats in throwing. and B
' held the ball ohi SO tenderly. II
! caressed it full moment each time b
It fore sending it from him. It was th
:. old smila al tbe cat and mouse. q