The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-21

hours to make the other fellows feel sore,
and it was quite late in the evening before
had fully explained to her why the um.
pire was wrong in several OF his decisions.
AS matter OF fact, / hadn't given so
much heed to the fight OF time as a fellow
should do who has q special to write for
the first edition, and / might have stayed
even longer il the old man hadn't yelled
from upstairs for Jennie TO start the
breakfast before she came to bed. AT that
got out pretty lively and found that the
last car had gone into town, so it was a
case OF walk or stay.
81 heard Tom say that when he was in
hurry he took short cut down the track
to the left OF the cemetery, and tried the
same plan. l missed my way twice, and
when finally came within sight OF the
glistening marble shafts of the silent city
IL was time for the first edition TO 90 TO
press. walked along leisurely, keeping
close to the fence, because the footpath
was muddy, until the sound OF some one
talking, with such queer, claclking noise
that, while the words could be plainly dis
tinguished, il seemed as ii they were pro-
duced by the bones OF an end man at a
minstrclshow, came TO my ears.
Creeping on fow PAGES further /
looked through and saw--now this may
be hard to believe, but there should be no
doubt about It'll saw skeleton sitting on
one of the headstones, while gathered
around him were twenty or thirty other
fleshless forms. THE game Of ball in sew
eral forms was known when took an act
i've interest in the affairs OF life,' one well
worn skeleton was saying, reflectively, as
he stroked his lower jaw-bone; but am
10th to believe that, however degenerate
this age has become, men can be found
who win spend either time or money in
such childish sport
Nevertheless II is true, the polished
parts on the headstone replied, in an earn
est tone, 'and as proof can only say thai
for two brief, and oitentimes unhappy
years l was paid TO pass judgment on tho
game, or, in other words, acted rs umpire.
What caused you to come hereT one o
the Oldest residents asked.
at was chiefly owing TO a decision which
/ made. You see, the second basemar
muiied ball for the evident purpose o
making a double. But, gentlemen, yol
can hardly understand the causes which
led me TO this very quiet retirement unles
you are conyersant with the game. II 20,
choose, we can amuse ourselves with th,
national sport this evening, after which
you will better appreciate why so much in
terest is taken in Il by those who yet rctaiI
their heritage 70 so many Ills
"During some seconds no jaw moved
and then ensued most noisy discussion
which would probably have ended IN IL
discontinue OF the form on the headston,
but for the younger members OF the paIt'
who were strongly :, favor OF learning tn
game.
"The most active opponent the schem
was the oldest inhabitant and he did no
hesitate 10 inveigh against II in the strong
| est terms.
"lie paused for a moment to arrange
fractured bone, and there was no oppor
tunity for him TO begin again. Even Will
he was speaking the younger members O
ex-umpirc, formed two mines, and when h
would have continued his remarks tn
audience had adjourned TO that portion O
the cemetery where the ground was un
broken.
"The new conner, who proposed TO in
struct his neiglibors, claimed 10 have
prejudice against actingin the same capaC
ity as when in the flesh, and IL was som
moments before any one could be foun
who was willing 10 accept tho responsible
position. Then a skeleton whose bone
were in very poor repair stepped forward
rather. than, ms he said, see the schem
fall through. The protector OF the spor
looked at the elderly party who thus o.
iered his services as umpire in peculia
manner, us lac remembered his last day i
the flesh, when he rashly proposed 10 d
the same thing. and the pain OF yiolen
death was vet green In his memory. Cor
trolling himself with an evident eiiort
which came very near unjointing his vei
tebre, he replied, with q peculiar intonf
ton and emphasis:
"'since the gentleman obliges MS s
kindly, and perhaps on this occasion only
| will now briefly explain, II, indeed, tbs
lie possible, the revised rules governing Oh
game; but first allow me 10 say that an
Kicking ON the part Of the players ina
cost even their headstone, for In man
cases the umpire-herc ! quote the printe
text-must impose fines, rs much Tor III
welfare OF the clubs ~ TO lessen the salar
account nj the end Of the season.
Then the gcntlemanly skeleton entere
into detailed explanation Of how Ill
game should be played.
''The details had hardly been decide
upon before the spectators began 10 gaihe
They came singly, In twos and threes, (
PARTIES OF dozen. Some Of the audien'
brought their footstones with them
seats; others, more neglectful, had nothir
and pcrchod on the monuments or ienc
in the immediate vicinity.
at was not until both mines were on u
ground ready for practice that the skeletc
who had proposed the game realized u
important fact OF the utter absence
ANYTHING like bail, and for some m
ments Il seemed very much as II the woul
be mcrry.makers must be deprived OF the
anticipated sport. disappointment VI
visible In the attitude Of every one prcser
until the rash party who had volunteer
20 act ~ umpire said 10 the new conner;
al am slightly acquainted with We
estimable maiden skeleton who came ho
some years ago, owing TO druggists M
take. She seldom joins our social gaih'
ings, and Il Is possible she may be Wilt
, TO obligc by loaning her skull
'This proposition or suggestion was 9
I cepted unanimously by general clappil
Of bones on the part Of the spectators, ~
|, while the proud umpire was absent on
GRAND, some OF the younger members
the PARTY searched the Enclosure for Z
discarded thigh bones 10 be used rs bal
, In these efforts they were 70 far succesd
that both mines had a fair supply when I
shaky skeleton returned with beautiful
/ polished skull.
J "In order that the clubs might have
! regular standing In case the organiEati