Morris tribune., 1895-08-07
John wilkes, the famous catcher,

John Wilkes, the famous catcher,
was captain of the nine that year.
Johnny" said Bangs, 1--WE brought
my brother over. He wants to try for
the nine"
If Capt. Wilkes had not been leaning
on bat he would have fallen down.
He had heard of Lawrence Bangs as a
grind of the bluest description. Also,
it must be remembered, Paddy was
made up to fit that character. He wore
spectacles with perfectly plain glasses),
and had withal the studious air of a
young man who meditates studying
for the ministry.
Ct I'm delighted" stammered
Wilkes. H
Then he grasped Paddy cordially by
the hand.
"rm mighty glad you've come out"
he said. 1--WE want every man who
plays ball to show up here, and do
it right now. Harvard is going to have
a mighty strong nine this year, and all
Yale must get up and hustle if we're
going to beat them"
Eyes," said Paddy, in that calm and
studious tone which he had learned
from Lawrence.
1t was all he dared to say-all he was
permitted to say under the contract.
Neither the reply nor Paddy's manner
impressed Capt. Wilkes as being per-
meated with that enthusiasm which
should characterize a candidate for the
nine.
"What position do you play?" asked
the captain. This question could not
be answered by yes or no, and Paddy
tnrned an appealing eye upon Bangs
He pitches-a little" said Bangs.
''Good," responded Wilkes. "Were
weak in the box. I'll give him a trial
now. Get into the box, Bangs, and I'll
have the fellows bat around"
Paddy removed his spectacles, and
wiped them carefully as he had seen
Lawrence do. Then he handed them
to Bangs for safe keeping, and went
to the pitchers position. The can
didates for the nine looked at him and
smiled. His face still wore the alb
sorbed and ministerial air which he
had copied from Lawrence. He looked
like anything else on this terrestrial
sphere more than he did like ball
player.
Capt Wilkes put on his mask and
gloves, and got behind the plate.
"Beef" Edwards, who had led the bat
ting of the nine in the previous year,
stepped up and prepared to drive the
first ball pitched through the side of
the house. Wilkes threw the ball
down. Paddy rubbed it on the leg of
his pantaloons, while he looked up in
to the air with an expression which he
had seen on Lawrence's face when a
line of Horace was puzzling him.
Then he sent in the ball. 'sBeef'
Edwards never knew when it went by
him. He didn't see little piece of it.
He saw Paddy's arm wave and that was
all The ball hit Johnny Wilkes on the
center wire of his mask. He did not |
even get his hands up. Johnny is a
pretty good catcher, as everybody will |
admit, but he is not fortified against |
all the surprises of this mortal life. !
And. if a Calling gun had opened fire
on him he would not have been more
than he was then. The
mask protected him from injury, but
he saw more stars than are set down on
any reliable astronomical chart.
He walked slowly toward the ball,
which had gone to the roof and then
come down in a corner. Without say
ing a word he tossed it back to Paddy.
But he was ready next time.
'sBeef" Edwards struck out. They
all struck out. Wilkes took turn at
the bat, and he had seven strikes called
On him before he found the ball.
But this triumph did not make Paddy
lose his head or forget his part. He
continued throughout the practice to
wear the look of one whose daily food
IS Greek roots. And, faithful to his
agreement, he did not open his mouth.