Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-09

passion, and swept through it in tidal
wave
Still mystery lay thick and murky over
the pitcher and some other things. One of
them was, why, not one of the nine had
showed his face at Mike Grogan's saloon.
which heretofore had been base ball head
quarters. Beyond that there were incred-
ibe rumOrS of no beer on the groundS-not
even the customary two kegs for the team.
The Dutchman who had commonly owned
that profitable privilege had been warned
of. There was talk also Of swearing in
extra deputy marshals, whose business 1t
should be to suppress swearing and all
sorts of riotous language.
The visiting club was amazed at its re-
ception. There were no whitehead players
in wait to drag them off to Grogan's for a
social guzzle. Instead Colonel and Bill
Reed met them and took them to the hotel
while the Gallia City band went along
PLAYING ITS loudest. The strains came to
HARDWOOD as he was slipping into his suit
He was not to go with the procession. but
to meet the team at the grounds.
IL was great procession-the band at
march. next the bus. bearing Centerpor-
tiers in white with blue caps and hose; after
them another bus full of Gallias, also in
white. but red on heads and feet; then
swarms of buggies. hacks and farm waG-
ons, packed with friends of both mines
last of all frayed-out drtzzle Of small
boys, intent upon finding cracks or knot
holes in the fence. through which they
II would be hard to say whether there
was more curiosity or anxiety in the glances
which Gallia City folk bent upon their
champions. Interest, of course, centered
on the phenom.' The strain was not re-
licved when careful counting showed in the
Galia bus only eight regular players and
two substitutes. Gloom deepcned percent
lhiy Those who had given odds on Galia
felt their coin already good as lost.
They began to feel also that they had been
badly scotland by their own. Without
new blood in the home team the game was
a gift to Centerport; and 50 far there was
no sign of new blood.
About minute after the appointed hour
the umpire sent the Gallias to the field.
and the Centerports to the bench. Their
shortstop spat Loyalty upon the cleaning
new ball. and rolled it in the dirt, so the
pitcher might easily grip it. There had
been preliminary practice by both teams.
Gaiifa partisans were amazed and some
what cheered to see the substitute pitcher
go to the bench, not the box Tho points
were empty. Almost before anybody could
remark 1t, out from the dressing room be-
meath the grand stand shot slight, wiry
figure in white, with red stockings and red
cap When the figure walked briskly into
the pitchers place a buzz rippled clean
around the ground. Centerports captain
seemed to kick. but at a low word from
the umpire dropped back.
Fer Gawd's sake"'
Batter up" called the umpire. A mod
ern Goliath, big Jim Bunker, stalked up to
the plate.
play ball!' cried the umpire. The ball
was passed. Brent faced the mighty slug
ger with a little irritating smile.
Say, jim bawled the captain, "either
this here phenom' is young, or 1t was
picked mighty green. Anyway, 1t amt big
enough to send a ball across the rubber.
IT oughter be set playin marbles This
amt no place for children. Now, then.
Jim. swat 'er over the fence and break
the 'phenoms' heart"
You Just watch my smoke" Jim said.
when ! hit 'er lick. she'll look like a
saucre. I'm going to knock her fiat.''
Excuse me-but thar 'aint to be no
swearin' this game" a deputy marshal
said. touching the big batsman's elbow.
IAN right. boss / didn't know this was
a prayer meetin'," Jim said, Arrangement in
every line Of his face.
All eyes were fast on the pitcher. the
phenom He certainly looked too slight
for the game he was up against. Would
he fail? HARDWOOD screwed the ball into
the palm Of his right hand, sprang for
ward. then lightly, swiftly. as an archer
might loose tense bow-string, loosed his
arm. and sent the ball kissing across the
plate to raise puff Of sand between the
plate and Reed.
lone strike!" cried the umpire
Nor shouted Jim; II didn't see ttr'
HARDWOOD silently pitched a writhing rise
that wound over the plate to the utter con-
founding Of the batter.
1.-Two strikes!' said the umpire
Thought 1t was goin' to be q low ball"
Jim said apologetically to his captain The
captain glowered. Bill Reed put on the
mask and squatted close up behind the bat.
HAYWOOD Eripped The ball peculiarly, Q sign