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

an extent tnat even Tile payers were Curi-
Gus to know the cause, and after some
difficulty owing to the inability of the
! aggrieved one to make herself under
stood, it was learned that the owner of
the ballhad crept up unobserved, being
naturally diflident about showing herself
while in headless condition, arriving just
as the umpire called foul. Not under
standing the technical terms Of the game,
she was quite naturally indignant because
such word had been applied to her
| skull.
q 1T was in the best possible condition,
with the exception of the jaws, which had
been considerably worn by long use, so
her friends reported her rs saying, and
she would not allow any one, much less
the skeleton, who was acting rs umpire
TO insult her grossly
"Of course every member of both clubs
deeply regretted having panied her whom
they looked upon as a beneiactress, and
the most ample apologies were offered
after the terms OF the game had been fully
explained.
"During the next ten minutes nothing
occurred to mar the serenity of the pro-
ceedings. The Rattlers had three men on
bases, with two out, and home run would
4
The fleshiest party who introduced the
sport was pitching very well; but somehow
the thick end OF that thighbone would
catch the skull whatever curve he might
give it; but could see that he wss bracing
himself for mighty effort. Again he
was unsuccessful; the batsman caught it
Tor over the fence, but it proved instead
beauty for the fieldeis. | was certain
the center could take II easily, but he
muiled II in the most disgraceful manner,
and the Rattlers were all in motion.
Before the skeleton from third could
reach home the skull was sent to short
stop, and from there TO the catcher, when
the runner was in twenty feet OF the plate.
The fellow must have known something
about ball playing in his day, for he made
n dandy slide; but the shock OF falling was
too much. His lumbar vertebre parted al
the fourth joint, and when his fingers
touched the plate the remainder Of him
was fully three yards away.
Now, / leave IL to you II player can
rightfully be declared on the base when al
least one-third OF his bones are nine feet
from II? OF course. according TO the rules
IL is only necessary for him 10 touch the
plate with any portion OF his body; but
that applies 10 whole man, and not e
! one liable 10 be disjointed by n blow
, should have ruled him out, and the othel
! players were of my opinion; but that
thick-headed umpire declared that so Ions
! as one OF his bones was home II made nc
difference II the remainder were scattered
all the way back 10 first.
'There was the biggest kind OF row IN
} n second, but the umpire remained firm
} He fined the Silent club until, had they
paid the indebtedness, not one would have
, bad grave TO 60 into, and when he
threatened 10 call the game II the uproal
} did not cease, the whole party came dowr
/ on him with n rush. For moment
could see nothing but bones In the air, rs
the possibly well meaning but certainly
/ stubborn old skeleton succumbed before
: the shower OF shoulder.blades and femurs
D or phalanges, he who had introduced th,
{ game murmured. rs every joint ratified IL
} appreciation of what 10 the lady behind the
, monument seemed very like bloodlcs
. murder:
I "'When / was in the flesh | foolishly
: iancied umpircs could not err, but now
: the players and spectators should be al
A lowed TO wrcak a Just vengeance
: "At that moment the cries OF the anna
a teur Judge died away. The fate he -
4 rashly courted had oycrtaken him. Tn
o moon hid herself behind a cloud In fear
: or because she couldn't prevent vngran
clouds from drifting wherever they listed
3 and hurried home 10 do what | coul'
/ toward explaining why the special ha'
! not boon written. "-NeiD York Ners.