El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-05
BASE BALL TOPICS
CURRENT NEWS AND NOTES OF
THE GAME.
Tom Lotus Tells Story That IL q
"Corker"-The School for Umpire's
Idea-The Wilmot Case-Punishment
Said to BE Too Light.
Tom LOTUS Side Splitter.


Tom Lotus adds the following story
to the comedies of the baseball pro-
fession:
I'm the spring of the year managed
the Cincinnati team some well-meanine
friend wrote to me that he had discov-
cred veritable wonder of a pitcher
in a young fellow who lived in an Ohio
village, and had never played profess
sionally. 1t so happened that 1 needed
new pitching material that year and
thought we'll enough of the tip to send
a railroad ticket to the rural youth,
with instructions for him to report i'm
med1ately. The next day a tall, long
armed boy materialized at the Cincin-
natl ball park, and told me that he was
my new pitching wonder. I rather
liked his looks, although he was as
green as the emerald nesting in our
friend manndngs scarfpin and told
him 10 take of his coat and give me a
sample of his ball-playing ability. In
ten minutes that country boy con-
WINGED me that he had the speed Of a
Rusfe, and as pretty a break in his
curve as ever gladdened the heart of a
manager. To be sure, he was as wild
as hawk, and nervous as debutante,
but I decided that he had the making
of great pitcher, and determined to
hold him. He practiced with the boys
for week and showed improvement
every day. Finally, just before the
team started on it's first eastern trip,
called the lad aside and told him that
was willing to pay his board and keep
him supplied with pocket money, if he
would agree to remain in Cincinnati
and practice every day until the team
returned home.
I don't care for any pocket money,
answered the rustic, and III be glad
to stay here, but, you see, it's this way:
One or two of my relatives be comm
down to Cincinnati for a few days rest
am want to know if you 'uns will pay
for their keep while they be here. If
you do I'll be glad to stop here an
throw twisters till you come back
AS a matter Of course I agreed to the
boys proposition and started for the
East, convinced that my new pitcher
would cost nothing but his board bill.
When we returned from that long trip
1 found the youngster out at the park.
Saw dL glance lu<4I ue udU Decu
working hard during the absence Of
the team, and I complimented him on
his fine condition. Yes he answered,
you see, pa and ma and Sister Jane
and RUDE Martins sister have been
putin up at that tavern of ours ever
since you 'uns have been away, an
they made me practice. Pa and ma
said as how it wasn't right for me to
loaf when you was payin' the keep for
my folks at the tavern, and Abe Mar
tins sister allowed as how she'd break
off the engagement if I didn't get a
steady job with you 'uns. So you
see, Mr.. Lotus, 1 had to keep at it.
Well, the folks went home yesterday
expectin' to get a letter from me
tomorrow, as I will tell 'em that you
intends to let me pitch in a real game
before all the people, To make long
story short, I went over to the hotel
and asked for the bill. I found that it
cost me exactly $14S to keep my untried
twirler and his numerous relatives in
board and lodgings. 1 would give you
the names and dates were it not for the
fact that the country boy developed
into one of the best pitchers in the
business and is now a valued mem
Der Of National League club