The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-10

bllOulu bldllNl upllHlb vi Dtuu NtIY
slightly, and hold the end of your bat
at 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 a 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 toll
cradle batsman. His old timidity dis
appeared and he began To be looked
upon as 'sluggcr." At the end of the
two years he returned to Halifax with
an excellent record as batsman and
with his dentists diploma in his poclt
ct. He wasn't long in calling upon Le-
titia, when he saw with relief that the
coast was still clear But Lctitia 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
adins. "Wcll, are you?' said Letitia,
demurely. Jack did not answer this
question but went to the captain of
the Paladins and was reinstated as Il
member of the club.
He then strollcd out to the grounds
and watched the club practice, and his
eye quickly detected in some of the
players the very faults that Tyncr had
cured him of. There was Il cricket
mattel soon to come off between the
Paladins and the Officers club. which
latter was then a remarkably strong
one. The clubs were daily out on the
common practicing, but just before the
match was to come off one of the best
batsmen of the Paladins fell sick Jack
saw his 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 of? Bishop is a first
rate man, and you aren't even third
rate. The thing is nonsense"
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 talk
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
warn you the boys will cut up rough
when they hear you are on the team"
SO the matter was settled. But it
turned out as the captain had said, and
| there was much grumbling all around,
especially from those who were candi-
dates for Bishops place. Some in dis
gust predicted wallover for the Off
GERS club, and many uncomplimcntary
remarks were passed about Jack.
The eventful day arrived. All Hall
fax, civilian and military, was present
| to witness the most important match
that for years had been held on the
common. Ladies with gay parasols
and officers in scarlet uniforms were
| mixed through the crowd Letitia was
there and stared in astoniShmcnt when
| she saw Jack take his place with the
Paladins in the field. The Officers had
their first inning at the bat, and they
rolled up large score. When the last
wicket fell they had 2G7 runs to their
credit A cheer went up from their
| sympathizers in the crowd and the
faces of the Paladins looked grave
THE only chance we had was
| Morrison when Bishop caved in, ="
| said Peterson, one of the eleven. and
Sugden has put that jaclass of ii Willl-
ins in his place. He'll get ducks
egg before he knows what he's about.
A fine hat to put up against such bowl
ers as Jones and Coulthorpe. It's not
particularly my funeral, but I'll venture
| to bet we don't see hundred
The Paladins went to the bat, and
Jack and Sugden, the captain, went to
the wicket. A litter ran through the
crowd for they remembered what a
| disgraccful failure Jack had been two
years before. Coulthorpc was bowling
for the military at Jacks wicket. The
| ball came dead on the wicket and lack
stopped it clevcrly.
''Well done, Jack" shouted some of
| his friends, encouragingly. But what
was their amazement and Joy when
Jack took the second ball with a full
p sweep Oh MS DdL ana drove IL TO a lar
, corner of the field. The crowd almost
| shouted themselves hoarse. -Four runs!
ard Jack came painting and happy back
t,.his wicket.
by Cad, where did the fellow get
hLs form" exclaimed Peterson. NO
bot = ever saw him knock the ball that
way before. He stands we'll, too
| NAV 'layc to alter nv my opinion"
Jac.: gained two and three runs more
before the over was finished, lie was
playing in splendid form, and he knew
that lstitia was somewhere in the
crowd LlnlIing on. In the next over
Sugden las clean bowled, and Peter
son took y is place. Jack and he rolled
up fifty, md then Peterson retired
amid thAyler of applause, All eyes
were fixed "pon Jack as one after an
Other of tho Paladins went back and
left him still standing bat in hand
He's mado fifty" said the captain,
chewing a sty@w as the sixth man
dropped his bat, ~ made no mistake
in putting him C. .. But iHs the biggest
mystery that {, ~ tackled in cricket. 81
Jack still stuc.: to his wicket, and
drove, cut and slipped the balls, in
spite of every effort Of the Officers.
Along came the eighth man, wiry
little fellow called Irving, and he arc
Jack made a splendid defense ant