Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-29
STANDING OF CLUBS.

A ball player can be a Christian gem
tleman. some ministers Of the Gospel
to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Pitcher Savers, of Youngstown. IS
studying for the ministry, and if Dame
Rumor can be relied upon, there are
two twirlers on the pay roll OF
the local club who nave missed their
vacations. It is said that Coyle and
HalloweH can pray harder and more
fervently than Anthony Comstock
when he is appealing for the suppress
sion Of crime.
Claud Coyle had all kinds Of trouble
this summer. kicking and knocking,
and losing. have made mere existence
burdensome. Claud felt the spirit
move about two weeks ago. and since
that time he has been the meekeSt
ball player on the diamond. Sunday
was an ideal day. and the manager de-
cided to do some missionary work, with
a view to earning for the home cub
the soubriquet of Wheeling Saints. -
A bang-up coach was secured, and
Coyle held the reius on the pair Of
spirited blacks HallowelI. Taylor and
LYONS were chosen. presumably be
cause they were especially in need OF
the saving grace. The manager did
not betrav his reasons for planning the
little excursion. and H.. PLAYERS re-
rarded it as an evidence of pure large
ness of heart. II was a merry party
all except Coyle. whose pleasing coun-
tenance. minus its hirsute adornmeHt,
wore a look Of Christian determination.
He was soliloQuizing. The spirit
moved him to talk of spiritual things.
of the salvation which awaited even
a ball player. The coach was speeding
cheerily over the cobble stones on the
St. ClairsyilIe pike, and Claud had not
vet formulated his plan of campaign,
when a Proyidential accident occurred.
Zip, Swish, Bang,
An axle broke. a wheel rolled off, and
the quartette were precipitated uncere-
monious!y to the roadside There were
'cuss words on the lips Of Hallowell,
> Lyons and Taylor. but they were never
uttered. Coyle's face wore stern
look as he raised his hand in an atti-
tude of warning. Three sets of teeth
closed with a duh thud. and three
swear words were amputated, one-half
only rolling out on the clear June
atmosphere.
The big four Of the Wheeling team
smoothed their wrinkled fronts. rubbed
the kinks out Of their walking sticks,
and followed the lead of the manager,
who had already started on home run.
There was a lively go-as-you-please
match for the tenth part Of an hour,
when the dulcet strains of a hymn were
waited by the westerly winds. and fell
upon the tympanums in the auricu-
lar organs OF the luckless quartette.
There IS fountain filled with"
That was all they could distinguish
nor did they care to hear more. Claud
could no longer restrain his compan-
ions. and they executed a two-step
chase after that fountain. They out
stripped him in the race. and he came
up painting, to find them-pictures of
disappointmeut-bsfore the doors Of a
Free Methodist church.
Here was the golden opportunity
Tor a master sroke in the cause OF
Righteousness. and Coyle's face lighted
up like Harry Rhinehart's base ball
lamp. as he invited them TO enter the
house OF worship.
Opposition gave way before en-
treaty, AID they reluctantly entered
the usher escortipg them to conspicu-
Gus seats in the front row, just
feminist the mourner's bench.
1t was an experience meeting.
As the congregation, one at a time
told their troubles. Claud dug his com.
panions in the ribs. urging them to fol-
low the example. Finally, he screwed
his own courage up TO the sticking
point. and told the congregation how
it was. He told all about his own
temper. and the naughty knockers
waxing eloquent as he proceeded, un-
I'll he reached the climax when he told
how the spirit whispered in his ear:
BE good.
There was a chorus Of "Amens' from
all parts of ,he church, and the con-
gregaton extended the glad hand.
The green-eyed monster grawed at
the heart of Deacon Hallowen, and a:
he slowly arose. some one whispered
remove the rafters" The deacon
warmed up to his subject, tapping hi:
wings as he went, delivering in-shoot.
and out-Shoots and snake curves &C
companied by a volume Of as musical
words as ever fell from mortal lips il
coaching box. He covered himself
al! over with glory, and everybody wa'
happy.
Now IL is said that ell future game.
at Coxey park will be opened with
prayer, and that a feature Of future
ladies' days will be a song service.
The minds Of Coyle, Taylor, Halo,