Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-06-18

pii tit 'atSihen anu lue Suolt-stop uiio
left-felder advanced or receded, ac-
cording to their estimate of the differ
ent batsmen. Snaggles had ceased
grinning and chuckling, but his long,
cadaverous face was even more gro
tesoue in its soberness than in its
mirth. He sent in his balls with
studied care and force, aud impaired
to them all the pnzzling curves he was
master of.
But in spite of all their watchfnl-
ness and care, the WATERSHEDS made
another run, which brought their
score up to seven.
"We must 10 some tall playing now,
fellows" sail Rodgers, gravely, as
the Hillsviews came in from the field,
sit is our very last chance"
1t was his turn at the bat, and he
made hit that carried him to the sec
ond; then Bill came with his usual
luck of foul and out.
Things began to look serious. and
Snaggles went to the bat under fire
OF admonitions.
''Just do your prettiest, old fellow, -"
entreated Andrews. "Make hit that
Will let Rodgers in, if you can. That
will tie u.s."
Snaggles nodded, and, with body
bent and nerves tense. did do
his prettiest. The two first
balls were passed, but the
third seemed to suit him, for there
was another Of those quick, sharp
strokes which sent it out into the
grass beyond the shortstop and left
fielder. But this time they had made
some preparation, for when he went to
the bat they had hurried farther ont
into the field. BY the time he
reached the second base they had re-
covered the ball and passed it to the
third, and from there it went swiftly
10 the catcher. But it came in just q
second too late. Even as it touched
the catcher's hands, Rodgers threw
himself forward on the home base.
This made the score even.
"Hooray" yelled the crowd of
spectators enthusiastically, 'hooray!
hooray."
If they could get one more run the
championship would be theirs, but it
was Andrews's turn at the bat, and
both he and Bill were dubs. How
ever, with long-legged Snaggles on
the second, there was good reason to
hope.
Andrews passed the first ball and
struck wildly at the second, hitting it
so that it flew directly into the hands
of the short-stop. Green did better,
gaining the first base, and giving
Snaggles an opportunity to reach
third.
The pitcher of the WATERSHEDS now
tried to draw the two runners into
danger by feigned pitching. Andrews
was standing several yards beyond
the first base, ready to run bacward or
forward, as occasion demanded; and
Snaggles occupied similar position
near the third. The pitcher made a
sudden step forward and brought
back his arm, as though about to
deliver the ball then whirled quickly
and threw it to the third baseman.
But Snaggles was not to be caught.
When the ball arrived he was back on
the base. Then the ball shot to the
second and found Andrews half way
between that base and the first. He
saw his mistake and started to run
back, but the ball passed over his
head, and then the two basemen
closed in on him.
But the few intervening seconds
before the umpire called "Out."
was sufficient for SnaSgles. He saw
Andrews start down the line, and had
an instructive conviction that he would
be put out. AS the ball left the hands
of the third baseman, he shot forward
like deer, and before it reached the
hands of the first, he was receiving
the congratulations of his friends,
amid the vociferous 'hoorays" of the
spectators.
"It was a close game" said the cap
tain of the WATERSHEDS, grimly, as he
shook hands with Rodgers, "and if it
hadn't been for that doerhound Of
yours, would have ended differently.
As the hilarious crowd moved away
from the ball ground, tall, portly
gentleman approached Snaggles.
"Ar'n't you the fellow who asked
me for job in my factory the other
day?" he asked, graciously.
eyes, SIR"
"Well, suppose you call round in
the morning. I think I can let you
have job in my factory, and as soon
as there is better place You can have
it. Jove! but you played good game. I"
New York Ledger.