St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-08-21

answer: "They are half through tn,
game"
"You do not mean" began.
Il mean," he answered with elabor
ate precision, "that they have ncvel
ceased playing"
l then made mental resolve to in.
terrogate my left hand guide. A
woman would be less clever in the
intricacics of this modern puzzle. She
would be lenient and patient. just
then q Blue started on a run and after
a furious race he suddenly fell sprawl
ing. with arms outstretched and legs
extended.
"Great heavens. he is killed. l 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 convulsiveiy grasped
the arm of my friend. aI
"Hush." she said. ..he only fell in
order to touch his base"
''But such criminal carelessness as
to have stones in the way" l 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 it!''
I asked with the blood consciousness
of right
A lightning glance from her and ]
continued:
He looked like a lizard after q
wagon has run over it."
| 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. )"
At that moment put him out! put him
out!'' was yelled by hundred voices.
..Is 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 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. ''See Naples and die" ought
to be changed into Paint baseball as
it is and die" Put quantity of paint
on a great canvas. let four giants bring
it down suddenly and expertly; 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. l seized the propitious
moment of her restored good humor,
to seek information on what was to me
the most vital and perple1ing part of
the game.
MY DEAR" asked earnestly, "tell
me how such young boys learn this
difficult game?"
1t will be understood that by this
time | was eating a goodly share OF
humble pie. My friends sole answer
was look after the manner of city
belle to her rustic cousin, and then she
turned away from me. Not to be
snubbed. boldly plucked the sleeve of
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" I answered with fine enthusi-
asm, '.this is marvellous for such young
fellows"
A smile leaped into his eyes and he,
too. turned to watch the game.
Baseball is not conducive to good
manners" mused. whatever it is
for muscles"
The pitcher is out of his box"
shrieked small urchin near.
..What does that mean?' l asked.
'.It means this" came the patient
explanation from the forgiving teacher
at my right, 1.-The person standing in
the center is the pitcher; there is an
imaginary line around him called the
box. He has no right to get outside
this imaginary line"
Yes, yes. see, he pretends to be
pitcher in a bowl-or box"
This pitcher in his box (?) was =
individual. Heperformed
feats in throwing. and he
held the ball oh! so tenderly. He
Ill oh tim ha-
fore sending it from him. 1t was the
old smile of the cat and mouse. He
pressed the ball, patted it. turned it
about, looked at it adoringly then sud-
denly and cruelty hurled it away as
one would hurl viper. A vague hope
stirred my soul at this period, that the
game was about to be developed to a
point within my comprehension. Its
wild runnings. sudden sprawlings. base
were still insolvable riddles.
Nevertheless, decided not to be a
skeleton at the feast of fun. hence the
inane smile CT an imbecile spread itself
dutifully over my face.
What have the Blues done nowe' I
modestly inquired as terrific shout
lifted the air.
.'They caught the ball on the n.y."
my friends answered triumphantly. in
one breath.
'Ah. but where's the hyT' and |
gazed vacantly about.
No one heard me, the noise was deaf |
ening; my friends forgot my existence.
felt as Insignificant as an honest poll |
tician at a convention. Even the old |
negro who stood guard over the heap |