New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
COLONEL GRUBER AS 4 HERO.
INJURED IN NOBLE STRUGGLE AT BASE
BALL IN HoBOKEN

Colonel Abe Grlber statesman poet and all
round utility man, yesterday added two
complshments his already long list He
peared baseball player and hero. 1t had been
decided that the inmates Of the law office Of
Eoadly Lauterbach & Johnson should play the
National game against those Of the office of Black
Olcott Gruber & Bonynge and place called the
ST George Cricket Grounds. IN Hoboken, forsaken
Of and deties had been announced as the
place. Ex-Governor Black and Edward Lauter-
bach were expected umpires.
Colonel Gruber expected be the short
stop for MS side II oninous choice. For
Colonel Gruber came TO a short stop before he
had a chance to act short stop, and then the
whole game came short stop, with Colonel
CrIbers side triun1phantly in the lead, and every
thing concerned partook Of the shortness of the
stop except the rain. which went on wearisomely-
But these are prelin1naries, and you are painting
for the real story.
The forces which were to contend the
grounds so long before the time beginning the
game that when the time they were we'll
tired with practice Some OF Colonel Gruber's
friends offered 10 bet him that he would not last
for three innings He refused take the bets,
and that II is all over his refusal seems like
one of those premonitions that some have in
supreme moments. When the hour for the game
arrived there dozens of spectators on
the grandsrand. Neither of the promised umpires
had appeared. Ex-Governor Black had been de-
tanned in Albany and Mr. Lauterbach in Manhat-
tan by business Mr.. Lauterbach arrived later,
when the strife and the glory were over.
All eyes were upon Colonel Gruber from the
first. Fate wasted time She had the weather
TO attend TO- and she had deal with the ball
game quickly Colonel Gruber's side went to the
bat and Colonel Gruber TO bat in person
first Of all. The pitcher pitched. Ball" said the
unpire-not Ex-Governor Black Mr. Lauter-
bach, but plain umpire. The Colonel cut a
pigeon wing. The pitcher pitched the ball again,
and again the umpire said that It a ball. The
Colonel danced with glee and his friends on the
grandstand appIauded. There another ball.
and the Colonel eaped half his height IN the air
that that is saying much. The pitcher pitched
the ball yet again, and It straight toward the
Colonel. He jumped back TO escape it. slipped, and
fell backward catching himself his hand. Then
he took his base
Ex-Judge Olcotr took the bat. but the most OF the
eyes were still on Colonel Gruber at first base.
Yet little wist the brains that behind the
eyes what good cause they had TO watch him.
Little visit they that then they were watch
ing a hero. Ex-Judge Olcott struck and Colonel
Gruber sped to second base The Judge struck
out. Another batsman made base hit, and the
Colonel TO third base Yet another made a
base hit and the Colonel home. and scored
the first run. Then did the pOpulace cheer and
shout for him yet knew they that
they were cheering a hero. Another run was made
the side went out
Then IL was seen that instead of playing short
stop Colonel Cruber sat aside and bathed mis- hand
IN q pail Of water. The whisper from lip 10
lip that he was hurt and that he would play
more The other side scored run, and put
out Then the Colonel came up on the grandstand
cheer>ully told his friends that he done play
ing and down to watch. Colonel Gruber's side
was again At the bat but ali! not Colonel Gruber.
Then the rain began. For time the game went
on and two were scored. Then the
players came the grandstand, too. II rained a
little less after a while and the re-
sumed. Mr.. Lauterbach had come, and he wanted
70 see a little OF it. but he did not TO be
umpire considering the mud. But II scarcely
a minute before he and all the others had to take
10 the grandstand and the rain fell in torrents.
And now came DR.. Clausen of Hoboken, who had
been sent for without the knowledge OF the crowd |
He looked at Colonel Grubers hand and said that
a bone was dslocated al the wrist He read1usted
the bone bandaged the place and slung II in a
sling He said that II might take the Colonel as
much as two three days TO get over II Then
the assembly knew that it assembled in the
presence OF a hero. for he had done all this when
he fell back as the fourth ball passed him, yet
he had held his peace and had gone around the !
bases as he might. and had scored the first
run.
The rain fell TIL half the ground under
water and there was no hope Of any more play
and then II fell and harder After a while |
It came less and less and the crowd dispersed in
exalted mood. This is the score by innings:
2-4
The otnsr SIDE ------I 1--l