The Portland daily press., 1898-11-14
OF Rookland, Me-, in July of SO. !
arnad khao oxa0f niranik sxhinh xuae

to adopt, in October, and we started in
with i've cities, Rockland and Bath, and
Portland and lie iston pairing off, and
Augusta serving admirably as centri-
fugal attracting force in the other four
oities, for which we returned the compli-
ment in the capital city.
HConnecticut had had long rest from
the game, and in February, 1885, I pre-
dicted tho formation Of the Nutreg
League which did undertake business last
winter, as reasonable outcome OF the
enthusiasm stirred up by the Maine
league. Business makes business, and
this year we find q considerable number
of minor league acquisitions throughout
New England, and the sporting writer's
in New York giving the great game
holesome "boost' along national lines
The association which takes first rank
this year is termed by it's founder the
National League. but 1t hardly attains
that distinction yet, ,.as it differs from it's
makeup of last season in but two cities OF
the eight. Six of the cities are in Con-
necticut, namely, Hartford, New Britain,
New Haven, Meriden, Bridgeport and
Waterbury, while Springfield, Mass and
Providence, r. l., are the new adjuncts.
The club had frst-rate good luck under
its old, successful title-Connecticut
League-and 1t is really more seemly
one at that. This league ls splendid
one, from location point Of view, all the
cities having fine ranks in wbich to play
The game, and from mileage standpoint
it is marvel of compactness. The best
players in the business, for the most part,
have emigrated to the different cities
forming the association, some of the boys
doing hair-raising stents last winter from
the Maine League to bssk in the smile OF
livelier sunshine and shekels than was
afforded In the land OF pine trees. The
Connecticut league people were IN no
wise at fault last winter in importuning
the ser Woes OF the Maine League recruits,
in view OF the fact that the Portland
manager tried to separate some OF the
Connecticut league PLAYERS from their
allegiance to the land Of delusive nutmegs
early In the season. This kind OF business
has redounded to the extreme disad-
vantage of the Maine League cities, as the
Connecticut League. Though force OF
superior strength and fnesse, took all
the players 1t wanted at one fell swoop
this year from the Maine leagne, and
then ma the latter sign national
agreement, = just as If they We're thankful
they were living. However, the National
and Maine clubs are now agreed to not
disagree on the player question, and they
must be fair and above board in their
dealings to each other.
'sIhe Maine league. the same as its
bigger but younger brother, has under
gone two changes in circuit this year.
Augusta has again been Omitted, after
Its two previous failures, and GARDENERS
place, and Bangor makes It's first entrance
In the game. The cities Of Portland and
Lewiston, Augusta and Bangor, Bath
and Rock1and, pair off IN this six club
league, and it ir even better circuit than
the Connecticut league In it's alignment
and capabilities.
Tommy Murphy will join tine Rooklaud
team the 1rst OF the week. and he will
strengthen the club materially.
The Maine league b not yet appointed
its member OF the board of arbitration
with the National league, but will
probably do SO at the next meeting
A good story is going tho rounds about
q well known Augusta man who is q
polo crank Of the worst kind. He talked
So much Of polo at home that his better
han insisted OF going with her husband
to see game. He took her and obtained
seats in the gallery fer the occasion. The
game became exciting md the polo crank
forgot wifey, and jumping down from the
gallery helped the fans on the bleaohers
swell the chorus OF applause Tor the home
team. Her hubby staid during the entire
game and then started home without his
wife, excitsdly talking polo on the way.
Half way up River hill and the man
stopued. .sWhat did take with me to
that hall and forgetf" he asked himself.
Suddenly he romem b6red MS WlIo WnOm
he had left in the gallery and he ran all
the way back to the hall to find it closed
and wiley not to be found. Becoming
alarmed be hired hack and rode to his
home as fast as the horses could 60.
There he found his indignant spouse
awaiting him and she goes to no more
polo games with her husband.
City hall in Portland will be ready for
polo in two weeks more. The floor Will
be laid by that time and then the fans
may sec the game to better advantage.
Lewiston opens the season here on Mon
day night. Manager Kelsey, Portland
boy, has been keeping his team together
at practice in Southern Massachusetts, and
as they are all new men In this state
there may be surprises in store for some
one. Seats are to be had for this game at
Oh lndler's.
A PRECIOUS CARGO.
Liverpool, November IL. The Cunard
line steamer Lucania, Capt. okay ,whish
sailed from this port today for New York,
had on board as passengers Tod Sloane,
the American jocRey and Mme Melba
and Zslie DeLussan, the operatic singers.
"I owe my whole life to Burdock
Blood Bitters. Scrofula sores covered