The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-07-10
HE WAS A BALL PLAYER.
The Little Old Man, and His Great Act
Left Field.

INC Little Olu MAI, ana Ills OFchL lAcb ~
Left Field.
"Play ball, old man?"
"Waal, scrter think l ulster, young
ster."
"Will you? We want another man to
make up the Sides"
"My legs are little kinky, young
ster, but guess kin ercommerdate yer
just Their same"
"All right, old man, Gomez
The little old fellow scrambled to his
feet without more ado, and with kind
of song-and-dance shuttle ambled into
the midst of score or more boys on the
common.
The veteran was assigned to right
field and the game began. The oppo-
sing nine came in for its final inning,
and that to which the old man was as
signed went into the field with the score
ten to eleven in favor of the latter.
Can you catch f1ies?" asked the cap
tain.
Kin err duck swim?" was the grim
answer of the veteran.
"All right. Play left field this in
ming" sang out the boy behind the bat,
at the same time motioning to the others
to hasten into place.
"Sorter out n this drection,'' num-
bled the little old chap. as he struck a
prancing gait for his old place in right
field.
''The other side" shouted a score or
more voices in chorus, while the specta-
tors convulsed themselves with laughter.
"Know'd it, but sorter wanted to take
Their kinks out err me legs. Them yer
legs kinder want loos'n up, see?"
The last inning began.
Two boys went out, one on strikes
and the second on a wild fly, but the
third boy managed to send sky scraper
into left field. This was the deciding
point of the game, for the two heaviest
batters Were to follow.
Get on to it, old mani" shouted the
boys in the field and the spectators in
one voice.
The little old man vouchsafed no re-
ply.
He could not if he wished, for he was
all activity. Gliding out of his tatterred
coat as though the arms were creased,
he brushed his hat from his head almost
with the same motion that he sent his
shoes flying into the air.
With single ''whoop," such as Co.
manche might be credited with, he
shook the knots out of his limbs and
struck out with vim in the direction
the ball was taking.
1t was yet sailing through the air
peacefully but swiftly, and at a great
height 1t seemed nip and tuck with
the old man.
Only once did he look upward as if to
guage the flying sphere, but with the
result only of increasing his speed.
The ball descended and as it was
about to strike him in the neck he
turned.
''Thump!"
The ball did not hit him in the neck,
but the chest, and
Not OUT shouted the umpire
Amt, hey" screamed the old man,
waving the ball to and fro in his right
hand.
CONSERVATION reigned supreme. The
day was won, and that, too, through the
experiences of the left field.
Out corrected the umpire; and thek
the entire mob, school-boys and specta.
tors, broke into rousing cheer. The
left fielder, with the walk of conquer
ing hero, kicked his hat into the air,
gathered up his coat and with the noise.
lessness of an Indian on the war trail,
| glided into his well-worn shoes.
Glow did you do it?'' asked a by.
stander, as the little old man ambled
from the field with purse of SO in his
pocket and the boys cheering Justify.
dropped inter me shirt-see?"-
ton ulobe.