The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-10
Notes and Personals
NAMES THEM LAWMAKERS
Seedy Stranger Exploits Scheme for
Using Burns Ball Team

Can you give me the ADDRESS OF the
manager of the Chicago baseball club?'
was the query from a countryman of keen
eye and sharp tongue, but whose butter
nut clothes and unkempt whskers
smacked OF provincialism.
The big copper on the crossing stroked
his moustache contemplatively II think
he's in Cleveland today. You'd better see
Jim Hart. He's the president, you know,
and his office is somewhere down town.
Go look in the directory. Whater you
want? Going to sign yourself or got
'phenom' out in Clay county?"
mot me-" and the ruralis laughed. I'm
no bail player. I'm man of ideas. I've
delivered lectures on phrenology, given
lessons to a singing class, taught school,
worked the shell game at country fairs,
run for sheriff in three counties at differ
ent times. sold soap and been profess
sional rainmaker in Kansas. That's me.
I'm no jay, even il look it,
you must have been travelling with the
Chicago club" laughed the copper, for
it's rain Burns and his men have had about
five days out of six since the season
started Don't let Hart see you and never
so near Dahlen, Lange, Everitt or Burns.
They'll kill you. Rainmaker, Ell? KEEP Il
quiet or L see your nn1Sh.
That's all right, Mr.. officer, but it's the
ranmaking business that I'm here about
The old CRAFTS played out in Kansas. We
need something new. 1t was good while it
lasted but it doesn't work now. This bet
ting on rain. with a lot of farmers standing
about with shotguns and clubs prepared
to do things if you don't produce the moist
ure is kiner trying on the nerves. But I've
struck a scheme"
Just then the eX-rainmaker lodged
team that threatened to run him down
and the copper went to help good-looking
girl across the street. But the country
man was persistent
Say, Mr.. Officer, hope amt bothering
you, but I'd like your advice. Now, my idea
is this: Rain is worth money In Kansas, SO
much per shower, good advance money
and cash on delivery for the balance. l
want to propose that the Chicagos quit
the league and go west with me. I've a
scheme that's worth a million"
Get along there and don't block I'D the
street." interrupted the copper. You're
crazy"
The Kansan vanished for few mo-
ments and then reappeared. Handing the
officer cigar, he apologized for persist
ency
"You see, l don't know anyone in this
town. She's little big for me. 1 won't
bother you moren a minute. want your
advice
1t was an easy crossing and an easy
time of day, so the copper listened.
Say. Mr.. Officer. what do you think of
this scheme? l take the Chicago club and
work the country fair circuits In Kansas,
Nebraskas and the Dakotas. Advertise 'em
as the great and only champions Tip em off
on the quiet to the authorities that they're
the rainmakers of the world. Play the Osce-
Gala Blues, the Wichita Invincibles. the Nc
Pherson Stars-all the other country teams,
Make every county put up big fee. Cham
pion Chicagos. Rainmakers of the World
Come and See the Great Tommy Burns and
His Men Bring a Shower Eth? How's
that? Good idea for a four-sheet poster on
fences and barns? Well, / guess. Ketch
EN- sure. Make farmers and fair associa-
Itions put up $4,000 in advance. Get $4,000 If
it rains within twenty-four hours. Cinch
with the Chicagos. Play four games week
or try to play EN-. Same thing, so far as
money is concerned. Forty thousand dol
lars a week. Expenses, $1,000, including my
commission as a rain prophet Twenty
weeks season. Eight hundred thousand
dollars. Clear profit, 500 900. Doesn't that
beat national league business?"
The copper recovered his balance and
twisted his club nervously.
Get along or I'll run you in. You're
nutty, sure"
mot bit of 1t, officer, and I'll let you in
on the deal. Introduce me to the manage
ment. If they can't spare the whole team
give us Ryan, Thornton. Everitt and few
others and we'll fill in with substitutes. Let
the others go on in the league and call them
selves rainmakers and We'll go west and
work the Chicago hoodoo on rain for cool
million. If the regular team starts in on
the rainmaker proposition east of the Mis-
souri, they'll have drouth in every town on