The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-10

Colonel stared a little at Harwood's re
quest but invited his two visitors out
into the alley back of the store, where
they might toss balls to. their hearts con-
tent, and not a soul be the wiser. But to
Harwoods suggestion of gloves, he only
sad; IF it gets TOO hot I'll put EN- on
but I reckon there won't be any long
whiskers on the balls you pitch.'
HarWood's eye twnkled wickedly, Sut
he said nothing, only stripped off cat,
vest and collar. and began TO toss. He
played lightly, but easily. Colonel
caught with an air of condescension, ana
returned the bail with greet show of
consideration for the minister's soft
hands. After a little Harwood asked il
Colonel would mind catching a bit while
he tried his hand at pitching.
Blaze away, parson, grinned Colonel.
In minute or Two square box cover
was in place as a home plate" and Col
onel behind ii, camoaturing the man at
the bat. Harwood pretended not to see
the implied satire. He stepped into the
pitchers place which he had marked at
the proper distance. \ ball or two went
over the plate true as an arrow.
Good enough parson"' Colonel laugh
ed, sim patronizingy. you've got tho
ball under bully control sure
HarWoOd said over his shoulder to Pot
ter: open your eyes and get right be-
hind me. YouH see something. So will
Colonel" Then in a louder voice: DO
YOU mind if | pitch few sitter ones? 1
want 10 see if 1 have lost the hang of it."
Let EN- come parsoni" Colonel shout
ed back, almost couvulsed that a little
man, whom he could fling over his Shout
der, should be so Conslderate. Harwood
nodded, saying:
Let EN- come, parson" Colonel shout
81
man, whom he could fling over his should
er, should be so considerate. HARDWOOD
nodded, saying:
Thank you OF course 4 would not
put twist in them unless l knew you
did NOT object. l wish you'd put on
gloves, though. ] hate to pitch hard 10
man in bare hands"
Gloves nothin'," Colonel said almost
netued. Maybe l don't look contagious.
but you can bet your last nick you'lI
find me catching"
Very well my Christian friend!' Har-
wood called back. Catching as you may
be, you are not entirely immune. Mind
Quit Here goesn
Bff SIN! the ball went out of the
parsons right hand like rifle shot. flip
ping off the ends of his fingers with a
crack ike whip lash 1t started to
the right of Colonel so fast the eye could
scarcely follow IL. Colonel darted to get
behind it, when suddenly it changed It's
mind, plunged to the left, passed him
entirely, and wrihed, kissing, far down
the alley.
''sunerin', Jimmy! What was that?"
gasped Colonel
oh, only one Of the things you didn't
catch-not exposed enough, l fancy"
Harwood grinned Now lot me give you
another"
.Whizz! A great out-shoot went whist
IA 4 l.
tie dance again-onlv this time he re-
vorsed. AS he brought up standing, emp
ty-handed, he said in swestruck tones:
For the love o. Godl plrson. nobody
but CROSBY man could catch those
dunn things. Get one right at me-right
here!" folding his hands in front of his
stomach.
you didn't get out OF the way Stand
sill and keep your eyes OPEN" Harwood
C mmandcd. "NowI
Bin! Aroth-r SIZZLING in-shoot! Crack!
Colonel was in the air dancing like a wild
Indian. trying to blow on his hands, and
rub bis elbows at the same time. The
ball had gone as Harwood said The con-
cussion Of IL had Jared c lionel from fin
ger tbs to shoulder blades
III you'd only put on the mitts." Har-
wood said, with a tantalizing grin, ira
like 10 throw you n few speedy ones-oth-
erwise I'm really afraid | might hurt
you"
Hurt me" Cclonel's tone was abject
"And IN m Taws (, cling Ike a full crock
cry craze had smashed en-. I'm no glut-
ton, paIson. l know when I've had
enough. But, say, you're the deceivingest
pat kage ever I struck"
"Mr HARDWOOD" sad Potter. "if you
don't mind I'll go get Eli Reed to come
and catch FIR you"
Il should ike it Il all th ngs," said
HarwooG. THE little l have done makes
me feel a new man."