Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-08-09
How o Base Ball Club Was Beaten by
One Man.

| For the last six weeks the war between
the Climax and Valley Star clubs of this
place has waxed warm. For awhile one
club would be in the ascendant and then
the other. The standing of the games
could always DO arrived at by looking at
the countenanoe Of young lawyer on
Court street. Whenever the Climax was
successful, his face was wreathed IN
smiles, but when the | title boys cheered
the Stars, his eOuntenance was dark as a
thunder cloud aud his frOwns were fearful
to behold. The discussions between the
friends Of the rival clubs were heated,
long continued. aud frequently disturbed
the slumbers Of our older citizens during
the middle hours of the night.
Relief seemed TO be far removed, until
p. w. Msgruder, Esq, farmer OF con
siderable experience and gentleman
celebrated for his tact in solving difficult
problems, determined to take hand in
the game. The first evidence that he was
engaged in an important scheme was
noticed at home for instead of being out
before sunrise seeing that his stock were
properly fed and groOmed, and his teams
ready to 20 to work at the earliest posi-
bic moment, be was found lying in bed.
This unusual conduct created some anN-
iety in his family who were afraid that he
was sick but these forebodings were dis
spated when they learned that 1t was
not sickness that kept him in bed so long
but that It was determined purpose on
his part TO beat the Climax base ball club,
and that in the cool morning hours he lay
quietly forming a scheme to accomplish
his purpose.
Fortunately he was the owner OF lot
which has determined predisposition to
produce nothing so well and luxurantly
as locust sprouts. The writer has been
Informed that few years ago he induced
Mr.. WIN. Donaldson, on old farmer OF this
place, to put the same lot in corn, and
that after q most determined fight, Mr.
L
| d. was in quandary whether to cut out
the loeusts and save the corn or sacrifice
the corn and cultivate locust posts. The
soil seemed much better adapted to the
raising of locust posts than cerial crops
However in furtherance Of his scheme
some parties informed the club that the
Commons was altogether untitled for sue
cessful base ball playing and unless they
got some other grounds they would be
beaten everytime. Letch Burner de-
clared that it was no fair test, for the
Stars had a decided advantage on the
Commons. A committee was appointed
10 select a new ground. No place could be
found so well suited as Magruder's field.
Some one suggested that it could be easily
gotten. but the rest Of the club we're very
doubtful. They approached the owner
very cautiously and they were received
exceedingly cautiously. Phil couldn't see
how be could possibly spare that lot, b Mt
at the same time admitted that there was
no such grounds IN the Valley. lie claim
ed that his fence was different from any
other and might be injured but if he
could possibly make any arrangements he
would be happy to accommodate them
He waited until the excitement was at
fever heat and the boys were fully con-
WINGED that 1t was the only place in this
neIghborhood that would answer the
purpose. when Mr. Magruder, in his
peculiarly careless manner remarked, that
it would put him to serious inconvenience
but if they would clear off the few sprouts
and stones they could use that lot. The
proposition was at once unanimously &C
copied. Phil looked like he was going to
reconsider, but he turned away-and
smiled.
He now enjoys his morning maps, for he
knows that while he sleeps 30 peacefully,
eighteen willing hands who never worked
before, are wrestling with the stubborn
sprouts that are almost as thick as the
hair on dogs back, while "Box' Bauser-
man and his squad are removing rocks by
the cart load.