Evening star., 1894-06-30
TED NOLAN'S OFF DAY
Report at once to Cleveland"

"Oh, dear, papa, you've got to go away"
exclaimed sunny -hairei Daisy ,n dismay
But do you feel all right yet?" asked his
wife; ARE you fit to go into the box
again?"
Ball players wives are glib with the ver-
nacular Of the profession.
I've got to go anyway. However, I'm
fit enough. The soreness is nearly all out
Of my arm, and I'll get stiff If lie around
much longer"
Il do wish you could sign with the Phil
lies," his wife remarked discontentedly;
you would be at HI me so much more"
wish could, too. I would get five hun
drei more for the season, but Brown will
never let me go; at any rate not unless the
Phil,ies will pay more for me than they
seem inclined to-"
why won't they?" with spirit. I'm
sure they need a good pitcher ba dy enough.
They can't expect to win all their games
with batting. and they throw away more
money on trying amateurs than would get
one first-class man."
"Oh. they think Brown will weaken; but
Brown knows they want me, and he sticks
to his price. In fact, he wouldn't have
peen willing to rut price on me If he
wasn't stuck on that kid he's just picked
But he really relies on you"
well. perhaps; but get hustle on you,
little woman, and throw some Of my things
together in a grip
The Nolans lived in the pretty little Phil
adeiphia suburb. Mt. Pleasant on the
Chestnut Hill brarch of the Reading road.
Ted had "salted his salary" as a ball
player, and his home was the result. 1t
was an attractive little place. and when
ever his club played in Philadelphia Ted
nad always some of them out at his
tarm This occurred but a few times
during the season. for Ted belonged to the
Cleveland club, and his longest stay was in
that city. 1t had long been their grievance
that he had been unable to secure posi-
tion with the Philadelphia team, but th,, laws
ana customs of base ball life are different
from those of other professions. Thus he
Is held year after year. until his day is
over and no club wants him. Then ne is
released and is free. He can be discharged
at ten days notice. but he has not the re-
cipfocai right of giving his employer ten
days notice If he sees an opportunity to
better himself. His only recourse is to
leave the business. He must take the sal
ary offered or not play No other club in
the coui.try can engage him.
TED was college man with a leaning
toward law. but the choice of reading In a
lawyers Office or pitching for q profess
sonal base ball club for 81, 500 for the sea-
son me. him on his graduation. The law
yefs ofilce seemed far away from marriage
with the yellow-haired girl who had won
taken the clubs offer and had married
within year. In time there came golden
haired baby Daisy. who was Teds idol
Come, Daisy. come and be dressed to
90 10 the station with papai We won't
see papa again until the summers over"
Win the kisses on his lips of his wife
and Daisy, Ted Nolan, pitcher, was soon
on tne train. rushing to Philadelphia He
o. MI
burg and settled himself for a hot and un-
comfortable ride to the other end Of the
state. Late the following day he Joined
his comrades.
Glad to see you. Nolan" puffed Manager
Brown, who was also the owner of the
club; we need you badly. Our men are
getting knocked out Of the box right along.
.Itn do"
His companions welcomed him heartily.
Tor he was a favorite. and the evening was
passed In their relating their experience
during his absence.
me motel clerk the next morning.
wohder who wants my services now"
IauSned Ted to himself. as he broke the
Daisy is i'll; come"
Whats the matter. Nolan, bad neys?,
Mr.. Brown, I'm sorry, but l woulS rke
TO return home at once. My little e.rl is
was serious" -
don't see how we can spare you Our
Pitchers are In no sort of condition. We're
losing right along. The people are kicking
SVu Wo.u ,ne attendance is falling off 500 day.
wen oe paying to empty bleachers soon"
"and 1 will CO."
Then you go on the bench without nav
for the rest of the year. / think + mn
this club. You've already lost two weeks
we can't carry lot Of idle players. The
papers now are roasting us for not playing
you, anu ! am catching it for pitching
will do. You stay here today. and if Won
win the game ] will give you a leave"
leo thought that he was justified in taxi
ing the risk for the sake Of the salary, and
sgreed
The morning papers had announced that
the only Nolan was to be In the box for
the home team and the tickle public was
attracted to the bail grounds win the hope
OF seeing the disastrous tide of I'M Iuck
turned AS Ted pulled off his sweater to
take his place in the "oox." he caught a
glElpse Of child's curly head peeping
from the front seat Of the grand stand
ana thought flew back to the home where
Daisy lay on bed of pain, perhaps
pshaw, 1t might be nothing. But he couldn't
help the uneasy feeling.
But the umpire has called play" and
the fever of winning. which never leaves a |
has played, has seized on Ted. His rest had
done him a world of good He had all his
speed and absolute control of the ball. It
became pleasure to pitch. The half in
ming was short and wholly satisfactory tn
the gathering. Two batsmep struck out:
the third retired on popped up bali.
Cheers rang in Nofan's ears as he re.
turned to the bench: Brown nodded ap-
provingly. His associates found new heart
and two runs were batted out before they
took the field again. Ted's heart was now
wholly in the game. Pttsburg's heaviest
hitter had two strikes on him when Ted
glanced toward the managers bench, One
of those blue-suited, brown capped bows,
who carry Western Union kilograms. was
approaching the mana6er, Daisy was-the
boy stopped and handed Brown something.
The latter nodded toward the diamond. A
shivering seized Ted. He had lifted his
foot to deliver the ball. Away 1t sped Wild
ly, hitting the batsman. The bleachers sent
up howl. The catcher glared angrily at
him. Gould 1t be about Daisy?" was the
question that came again and again to him.
But she was well two days ago. What could
happen in that time? AS healthy a child
as ever lived. zone ballv' shouted the nm
pire. Ted glanced at him disdainfully. AND
his thoughts went back to the Mount Pleas
ant home. Could it have been an accident
to her? Could she have been hurt? He
had cautioned her about going down to the
unprotected railway crossing. But then the
fagman was fond Of her and ALWAYS care
full. Ball two!" Ted shook himself to-
gether The Pittshurg coachers We're dane
Ing like fends on the coaching lines.
Well, we'll we'll! He can't get 'em over!
good eyer These were the words Of nee
eSSary direction to the base runner'' allou,