Smyrna times., 1893-09-27
The Married Mems Contest.
THE MEN BECOME BOYS AGAIN, ON THE
FIELD OF sPORT-FOR SWEET
CHARITY's SAKE" THE MONEY
Is HANDED OVER TO THE
pFNUNyoT rrNrr, e,oCY,r,,,v


BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
At o'clock Friday afternoon.
bright cOngenial day, the citizens of
our town began to gather one by one
on the schoOl-hOuse lawn until the
number had reached two or three hum
dred. 1t was the event of a great con-
test in base ball, which had been Cos
siped between the married men of
South and Mt. Vernon streets for near
ly week. Every thing was put
ting on grave situation, people stood
on TIP toe with excitement, as those
big, stalwart, able. bodied married men.
gladlatOrs of the base ball arena, en-
tered the grounds. "WhO will be the
vlctors 7" was question which agitat-
ed that animated crowd.
High up in the blue atmosphere.
soaring in graceful curves, was a large
bird of the buzzard variety. 1t would
sweep down over the base ball arena.
ana then, with a noiseless flap of its
wings, 1t would float serenely to the
breeze. Evidently this monster bird
was taking in the gravity of the situa-
ton, for after soaring around in series
OF concentric circles, it perched itself
upon the roof of an adjoining house,
and there, with a feeling of content
ment, it cast its eagle eye upon the
proceedings of that fierce contest.
We have read of the gladiators of
Rome, big, massive men of bone and
slnew; how they entered the arena be.
fore the eyes of Royal families, and
thousands OF spectators, each gladiator
intent upon winning the laurels.
Bloody, bloody contests, in which the
vlctors have slain their antagonists
with remorseless cruelty. We have read
OF the bull fights, and the terrible scenes
connected with it; but never before.
had the spectators of this base bali
game realized these antiquated stories
OF Rome until this day. "Who will be
the victors ?" was again asked. Each
side began to feel what would be the
deep humiliation, the lowering of pride
if they should be the losers.
MT. VERNON STREET.
Every one was in readiness. when
umpire, William A. Fleming, called the
game. The South street nine took the
field. Harry Beck, with bat in hand
stood in the box. He squared himself
with little fear of the ball, for he had
drawn out an accident policy before
the game, and was preparing to hit the
ball heavy blow. The pitcher raised
his arm, and with mighty force, sent
the revolving sphere toward home
plate. Beck, with herculean strength.
sent the ball flying to right field where
John P. Hudson, with the agility of a
squirrel, got the ball and drove it to first
Sipple braced himself like a stone wall
and it was stone wall, for the ball re-
bounded with tremendous force toward
the shortstOp. Beck got his first.
John Cosgriff stood in the box
next. Ball after ball passed the home
plate, when to all appearances he
seemed to be striking fair blows. After
few vain attempts he looked at the
end of his bat, and discovered to his
surprise, that he had tile in the end
of it, for invariably the ball went
through. He struck out.
David Stewart looked all the world
like a phenomenal player. He wore a
stripped cap and belt, and put on such
bold front that he actually scared the
members OF the South street nine, for
they expected him to work wonders.
But poor David, he didn't amount to
much at the bat, for he added a great
big naught to his record. He did excel
in one thing, however, and that was
his supurb coaching He could alwavs
be seen where the runner was. In the
field he surely surprised himself when
he caught POstles out on a fly. This
feature will immortaliZe his name in
the base ball world.
Prof. XOcum was Rp ideal player.
he could always be depended upon, for
home run; his pedagogism had taught
him how to use o club. He worried
those South street fellows more than a
little, so much so, that they kicked
against his playing.
Joe HUM was prodigy, He stood
up at the home plate, q perfect gladia.
tor, shaving the ball so clean that the
pitcher was afraid to touch it. He in
Yariably made fouls, while his pre.
deeessor, Tom Davis, got his base on
balls,l
Merritt Fowler aud Lewis Price
made a ereditable showing, at least
they made the pretension, although
neither made a run during the whole
game. Price excelled himself in climb.
ing fence, for the minute the ball
was knocked over he was there, as
nimble and active as a cat.
When the next gladiator stepped into
the box, he received a round ofapplause.
SO stalwart and'braYe looking was he.
that every one seemed TO rest The vic
tory of the game on him. This was
none other than John z. Hudson. AT
this instance, Constable Weldon 40.
preached the athletes presence. and
presented paddle" on behalf of the
ladies Of NJ, Vernon street. The athlete.
who had bad semo experience in the
lumber business, knew at q glance il
was made Of good stuff, and was heard
" make the remark: "Look at me
knock thia b9ll oyer to Ransom's field y
Ihe pitcher squared himself for an in
curve, and Sent the sphere plumn |
against Johns" paddle The baiI |
whizzed through the air and landed |
over the fence intO Filghmsp's yard. /