Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-06-18


course. he's got TO go with them. He's
Just "a much cut-up about II a. we
are
They looked at each other with
blank. lengthening faces. They had
been working hard for three years 20
win the county championship. and
had always been scored out OF the
contest before the season was hal.
over. But this year the fortunes Of
the dillviews seemed 70 be- on the
rise. They hal played better, aud
one by one had beaten all the clubs
except the WATERSHEDS. and with this
crack. champion club OF the county
their score was even. No wonder that
every Hillview heart thrilled az the
4th Of August. and OF possible vic
tory. and no wonder that there was
Consideration and dismay ON every
face when IL was learned that their
oulv good pitcher was going % leave.
Might as well give mp. gruu-ed
Bill Grove. as be spitefully kickel
stone from his path. I've cant do
anything without "a crack pitcher 90
put up against Hopkins. OF the Water
sides" and most of the members
agreed with him
who Is the best pitcher among
U.S. asked Rodgers. feeling that his
position as captain demanded am ex-
ira effort 70 rally the club. I'VE want
a hard-handed. quick-oved fellow.
who can send ia a ball l-Ae thunder
bolt "
Bill grunted derisively.
If you'll drop the harl-handed
and thunderbolt. he said. Il guess
maybe the club can furnish a few
quick eyes. But what's the matter
with Snaggles2 I've seen him split
an inch board with his fist
Most OF them laughed and glanced
at queer figure sitting on the fence
few yards away. Snaggles hal come
down from remote part Of the noun
tains a month or two before. and as
vet had apparently been unable %
assimilate all the wonders around him.
for his month was continually open.
as though trying 10 grasp the Hood of
new ideas thai was surciug toward
him He was very tall aud ungainiv.
and very prone 20 make himself the
laughing-stock of whoever he came IN
contact with. but he was gentle. obhg-
ing. and invariably good-natured.
None of the boys associated with him.
except occasionally as Joke, ami O.
make him the butt Of their ridicule.
The idea that he should be admitted
TO the select membership of the Hill
view Baseball Club was something
that none of them had ever enter.
tanned
Now, 1 wouldn't wonder II he was
just the man YOU want. Rodgers. 81
Bill went on. sarcastically. He cat
throw a stone straighter than some OF
rs can shoot I've seen him knock .
squirrel OF the top OF tvee hun
dred feet high. and as for running -
gee whiz, once he gets them legs I,
going, nothing short of a rifle ball ca,
catch him. And lie would be a prim,
al We could have a baseball clul
and circus all IN one
As he expected, most of the bow
laughed again. only Jack Rodger
seemed 10 take the banter seriously
for a sudden CLEAN came into his eve
and he glanced across 70 where Snag
giles was intently watching them
4 believe you've struck the nail OF
the head this time. Bill, if you neve
did before" he exclaimed, emphati
cally. III I'm not mistaken. Snaggle
Is just the man we want"
"Oh, pshawi' Come. now "Ge
OUT You're joking" ''Why, he
regular scarecrowt" rose an indig
Anant chorus on all sides.
Cant help it, fellows" Rodger
said, sturdily, were in a tight place
We've worked for that champion shi
three years, and now that it's IN sigh
it would be bad policy TO let it sli
away 1 don't know fellow who ca
take Blake's place, unless it's Snag
giles.
but he don't know how, "proteste
the disconnected Bill
I'm not so sure. He's been o
that fence watching US every practiC
day for the last six weeks. If he hs
never played. he must have "a prett
good idea how it is done. Hello
Snagglesi"
The caricature on the fence sprsn
lightly down, and came toward then
with IA peculiar, Looping gait that ca
ried him rapidly over the ground. BI
he paused six or eight yards away, q
though suspicious of their intention