The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-04
Casey at the Bat.
(Revised Version. }

(Revised Version.)
1t looked extremely rocky for the Boston nine
that day:
The score stood two TO four. with but an
inning left to play.
So, when Cooney died at second, and Bur.
rows did the same,
A pallor wreathed the features Of the patrons
Of the game.
struggling few got up to 60, leaving there
the rest,
With that hope which springs eternal within
the human breast.
For they thought: 'If only Casey could get a
whack at that"
They put up even money now. with Casey
at the bat
But Flynn preceded Casey. and likewise SO
did Blake.
And the former was a pudd n, and the latter
was fake.
So on that stricken multitude a death. like
silence sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey s
getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive "singlc," to tho won.
derment of all,
And the much-despised Blakey "tore tho cover
OH the Dali.
And when the dust had lifted. and tbcy saw
what had occurred,
There was Blakey safe at second, and Flynn
ahuggin' third.
Then, from the gladdened multitude went up
joyous yell.
1t rumbled in the mountain tops, il ratified in
the dell;
1t struck upon the hillside and rebounded on
the fat;
For Casey, mighty Casey. was advancing to
the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he
stepped into his place.
There was pride in Casey's bearing and
smile on Casey's face;
And when responding 70 the cheers he lightly
doffed his hat
No stranger in the crowd could doubt twas
Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed
his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he
wiped them on his shirt:
Then when the writing pitcher ground the
ball into his hip.
Defiance glanced in Casey's eye, sneer curled
Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came
hurting through tho air,
An Casey stood a-watchin il in naughty
grandeur there.
Jlose by the sturdy batsman the ball unheoded
sped
That amt my STYLE" said @ sey. "Striko |
one, !" the umpire said.
from tho benches. black with people, there |
went up a muffled roar,
ike tho beating Of storm waves on tho stern |
and distant shore;
Kill him kill the umpirei" shouted some
one on tho stand:
md it's likely they'd have killed him had
not Casey raised his hand.
gith smile of Christian charity great Casey's
visage shone
Ie stilled the rising tumult, he made tho
game 60 on
70 signalled to tho pitcher. and onco more
the sphoroid few
ut Casey still ignored 10, and the umniro
said "striko two"
Fraud" cried tho maddened thousands. and
the echo answered "Fraudi"
ut one scornful look from Casey and the
audience was awed;
hey saw bis face grow stern and cold, they
saw his muscles strain.
nd they knew that Casey wouldnt let the
ball 20 by again.
10 sncer Is gone from Cascys lips, his teotb
are clenched in hate.
, pounds with cruel vengeance his bat upon
tho plate:
I'd now the pitcher holds the bail. and now
he lots IL go.
I'd now the air Is shattered by the force q,
Casoy's blow.
!, somewhere In this favored land the sun is :
shining bright,
g band is playing somewhere. and some.
whore hearts are light:
d somewhere men are laughing, and some.
where children shout,
there is no Joy In Boston: mighty Casey
has struck out