The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-22
iful brown eyes seemed to nerve him for

OF practice or some other reason, certain II
was that Fielding had but little cause for
congratulation when the heavy hitters,
aided by n costly error, retired at the end
OF their half inning with four runs to their
credit.
Still longer grew the faces OF the wearcrs
OF the red badge when Luke Stanley, with
a pleasant smile on his face, that spoke
more plainly than words his opinion OF
the new pitcher, and his confidence in his
own powers, brought down three victims
! by his deceptive curves, closing the first
inning with the score standing four to
nothing in favor Of Batvlle.
Stanley opened the second inning for
! the visitors, and rs Lacey saw the smile OF
assurance with which his redoubtable
rival walked mp 10 the plate he bit his
lip and look OF logged determination
settled on his features.
Whiz came Lacey's ball across the
plate with speed that made the catcher's
fingers Jingle.
Strike one" drawled the umpire.
Again came the ball like cannon shot
aud 1.-TWO strikes" was called. Stanley bit
his lip and put himself in readiness for the
next ball, but he had hardly begun TO
realize the fact that perhaps the college
| dude" did know something about base
ball when he found himself inveiglcd into
striking at u tremendous out.curve, and was
| retired on II saw.Out, 10 his own intense dis
gust, and the delight Of the Fieldingites.
"Oh, that's too good for anything was
Niry's comment to her grinning brother,
and she rewarded Lacey with smile and
nod that seemed TO possess him OF new
| powers.
lie seemed TO be getting control over
! the ball in good earnest now, ANA ut the
close of the inning the Batyilcs had not
touched the ball. And when Lacey, dur
| ing Ficlding's half Of the inning, with II
man on second base, lined out u clean
base hit, the first his side had made in the
game, thus bringing in the home mines
first run, he was greeted with perfect
storm Of applause, which was rcdoublcd
rs he promptly stole second, went TO third
on a sacrifice hit aud scored Just in the
nick OF time on half passed ball. And
during the remainder Of the game how he
did pitchl How his marvellous curves
and shoots puzzled the "rcliablcs' aud
how hard those lightning balls oi his were
hit safely! What superb pick and
stops he made, followed by such wonder
fully accurate throwing To bases Was
dancing with the excitement OF the CON
test, the same pale dude Of whom Stanley
thought il so strange not TO bc able To UNI
dcrsiand the interest that was taken in
| baseball because lac didn't know how Ia
plaI The latter, ~ the game progressed,
irlt his cheeks burn as lac recalled his in
situations Of the day before, aud gazcd on
the row Of "outs' that stood credited 10
him on the scorc-shcct. II WAS now his
turn 10 east further glanccs in a certain
direction, and to grind his teeth in impo-
tent rage rs lac watched the hrcathlcSs in
tcrcst with which somebody followed
movements Of his pitcher opponent.
Did Luke Stanley pitch that day. Well,
lac felt that lac was pitching for more than
winning that game, for more than sustain
ing his reputation. Great game though II
! he, his game was greater lie pitched
with vim and skill he had never shown
! before. aud that audience was treated 10 a
! contest between him and Lacey the like OF
! which had never been seen 10y any one
| there.
Asthc game proceeded the enthusiasm aud
| excitement became intensified inning by
inning. l,atyillc had rallied but once since
the hr-t inning, aud their opponents had
added one each in the fifth and sixth t.
the two runs scored in the second. -
when, in the eighth inning, Fielding scored
the tying run, with but one more inning
10 play, the large crowd was fairly a-trcm
BILE with the intensity Of their excitement
Whiu' zipp! came laccy's balls, swiiic
than ever. but twice. after two men wcr'
out, the chunk OF baticd ball rang on
and two oi Batyillc's men were safe NJ
base, amidst the widest cheering oi thci
1 friends The faces ot the nine were aglo'
| | with satisfaction aud expectancy. Wit
= men ON second aud thirl bases. aud IA
Il reliable Luke Stanley 10 bat, IL locke
4 dubious nj least for Fielding, 4 hit or
Il passed ball might give lheir opponents III
4 winning run.
Il Luke stanley was pale With determine
4. ton ~ hc took his position at ia I a.. nm
wore a look that BODIED no good should Il
" get a fair whnck ut that little lcaih,
d. sphere that was the center oi ~ much IL
h tcrcst.
u. lie made a vicious drive at the first ha
~ that was pitched, and once mop the clc
:. trilying thud " bat against ball rang oy,
VI the grounds lIut the ball was not square,
ic hit; up II went almost straight up=up
Il until Il looked like spcck In the sky.
q. Il descended every face Was upturnc
Il every eve fastened on the little spc,
b. growing rapidly larger, with q painful an
=. icty every breath WIS held, aud only u
n. sound of the base runners broke q
silence. lacey Judged the hall to q meet
nl walked forward just few STEPS aud dow
lc came the hall at last, safely into the han
~ ol firldng's pitcher Aud how the ficl
w ingitcs did yell and howl aud stamp VIII
ri l.lrry gathered Ia that sky.scapcr, q
n. never he imagined hy one Who has ne,
iy seen the finish oi closely contested IN,
Il hall match. As 90 Why Miunadukc, :
split her Md gloves from wrist 10 fingers
NO adding her mite Ia the universal lin ahO
eli her the NEST unkindcsi cut OF all
AL Luke stanley.
I'M Now came In the home nine Tor IN
Al half oi the ninth. A run would win
rJ game, hut by the determined looks on I
rb faces 81 their opponents, Il WIS cvil'
nj that they would have To play mighty ~
lac ball 90 gct II.
lac Lacey was the flint man 20 the hat, a
a. multcrcd 81 himself through his clonch
leo teeth ~ hc picked out his iayoritc Il
"Now, then, by Gcorgc, I've got 20
m. that hail. u mover hold q bat again.
vet wouldn't have that conccitcd Stanley =
cd me out ior sen down aud he meant
ng too. lur he hal hccn q close observer Of
In. changing expressions mirrovdon a ccit
ut fair face.
nj "Now. Luke, steady OLD hoy" muitcl
that worthy 10 himself ~ lac prepared
lly deliver his lint hall, 'it's nov or ncy
I2' you've got 10 make that college dandy :
lir. wind. II YOU never pitch another hal
ere iOr he. too. had occasionally glanced 81
where than In the direction Of the ball.
her II was something that Why long rom,