The Colfax chronicle., 1891-11-14

fessional cricketer there nsmed Tynef,
an Englishman, who had coached some
of the best cricketers in England and
America Jack went to Tyner and got
him for consideration to take him
into his club. Tyner put Jack at the
bat, who, as usual, made q miserable
failure. Jack went to the professional
man and said: II suppose you are go.
ing to drop me; don't think I will
ever learn to bat" Tyner pulled out
his pipe and filed It, looking at Jack
all the while. II can teach any man
ever saw to bat who is not born
idiot" he said. ''The trouble with you
is that you've learned bad style. You
stick your bat slant ways on the ground
and bend over as if you were saving
wood. Now that is no way to bat. You
should stand upright or bend very
slightly, and hold the end of your bat
Mt least two feet from the ground. You
are then ready to take advantage of
any ball that comes near the wicket
OF course none but sure hand may at
tempt to drive ball that's dead on the
wicket If you've perseverance I'll
make tolerable batsman of you in
six months"
Tyner took Jack in hand and coached
him continually. At first he could do
nothing with him, but at last Jack got
into Tyner's methods and made rapid
progress, and in six months was a toll
cradle batsman. His old timidity dis
appeared and he began to be looked
upon as ''slugger." At the end of the
two years he returned to Halifax with
an excellent record as batsman and
with his dentists diploma in his pock-
ct He wasn't long in calling upon Le-
titia. when he saw with relief that the
coast was still clear. But Letitia gave
him as little satisfaction as before.
Jack reminded her of her promise that
she was to give him his answer as soon
as he was the best batsman in the Pal
ndins. "Well, are you?' said Letitia,
demurely. Jack did not answer this
question bnt went to the captain of
the Paladins and was reinstated as a
member of the club.
He then strolled out to the grounds
and watched the club practice. and his
eye quickly detected in some of the
players the very faults that Tyner had
cured him of. There was a cricket
match soon to come of between the
Paladins and the Officers club, which
latter was then remarkably strong
one. The clubs were daily out on the
common practicing, but just before the
match was to come of one of the best
hafruncu ~ The d, 4 a x7scs e., n Iii. IL
saw bis opportunity and went to the
captain, an old friend of his. bishop
is on the sick list, !" he said. ''and you'd
better take me on in his place" The |
captain stared and laughed.
''What in the name of thunder, Jack.
are you thinking Off Bishop is first |
rate man, and you aren't even third |
rate. The thing is nonsense. I"
But Jack laid the case before him.
The captain had great respect for Ty- |
ner's reputation but was 10th to take |
Jack on. However, he yielded after
awhile, and said: "Now, Jack, I'm tax
ing you on your word. For Heavens
sake don't disgrace us. As you want
the matter kept mum. why, OF course
I'll not say anything about it, but l
warn you the boys will cut up rough
when they hear you are on the team. -
So the matter was settled. But il
turned out as the captain had said, and
there was much grumbling all around,
from those who were candi-
iates for Bishops place. Some in dis
gust predicted walkover for the OFF,
'ers' club, and many uncomplimentary
'emarls were passed about Jack.
The eventful day arrived. All Hall
ax, civilian and military. was present
o witness the most important match
hat for years had been held on the
Ladies with gay parasols
md officers in scarlet uniforms were
mixed through the crowd Letitia was
here and stared in astonishment when
he saw Jack take his place with the
'aiadins in the field. The Officers had
heir first inning at the bat, and they
oiled up large score. When the last
ricket fell they had 267 runs to their
redit A cheer went up from their
in the crowd and the
aces OF the Paladins looked grave.
"The only chance we had was
lorrison when Bishop caved in.r
aid Peterson, one of the eleven, "and
ugden has put that jaclxass of Wilk-
IS in his place. He'll get ducks
Rg' before he knows what he's about
fine bat to put up against such bowl
RS as Jones and Coulthorpe. It's not | 1
articularly my funeral, but I'll venture
bet we don't see hundred"
The Paladins went to the bat, and /
ack and Sugden, the captain, went to a
&c wicket A litter ran through the !
rowd, for they remembered what a n
failure Jack had been two I
ears before. Coulthorpe was bowling t
'r the military at Jacks wicket The c
all came dead ON the wicket and Jack d
'opped It cIeverly. n
"Well done, Jack" shouted some OF 9
Is friends, eucoursgingly. But what l
as their amazement and joy when o
ack took the second ball with q full q
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