Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-12-20
.xsctly that Of an ardent reformer. bu.

1PI%NAA-
THE first inning both teams failed to
score. In the first half Of the second
Williamson succeeded in getting man
around the circuit of the bases, to the
evident disgust of the deacon. In the
second half, after two Of the home
players had been retired, the third got
his base ON balls. Then Bill Medford
lined the ball TO deep left for three
bases, bringing in the man on first.
The next minute Bill scored on a wild
pitch.
"'Woh, woh, woh!' yelled the worthy
deacon, forgetting the reason he had
come to the game. Good boy, Bill
Wen show those Williamson gaia boos
how TO play ball. It's a disgusting
spectacle he added, suddenly recollect-
ing with whom he was sitting, and,
turning to the minister and the Sunday
school superintendent, "a sight to make
man ashamed Of his fellow beings.
But that certainly was peacherino Of
hit,' he added, emphatically.
"'Hsdn't we better assert our author
ity and have the game stoppedg in
quired the superintendent.
"'Well, ] don't know that there is any
more sin in five innings than there is in
two replied the deacon, doubtfully.
The game won't count if we stop it
now. Our boys are ahead. Let them
play out the five innings. Then we can
assert the sanctity of the Sabbath and
elinch the championship at the same
time
"But when the fifth inning was fin
ished Williamson was two runs to the
good. The deacon wouldn't listen to
any proposition TO stop the game.
"a man needs 10 use gumption, he
growled. in reply TO the arguments OF
the grieved minister and Sunday school
superintendent, even if he is filled
with the ambition to be a reformer and
stop an interesting exhibition Of the
national game. If you two are looking
TO do truly righteous action you'll
shoot that blind robber who thinks he's
performing the duties Of an umpire.
II he had given us half show we would
have had those NUTS from Williamson
beaten clear out Of sight by this time
'The minister and the Sunday school
superintendent were shocked at the
worldly expressions used by the dea-
con. but, as he was in charge, they
didn't like to take the responsibility of
stopping the game contrary to his d.
rections.
when the ninth inning came Will
Hanson was three runs ahead. The
visitors came first to the bat and were
retired in one, two, three order. Fer
the home team, a base hit, an error at
third and four balls filled the bases.
Then Bill Medford, the captain of the
home team, the pride of every rooter
and the best batter in the county, came
TO bat. The Sunday school superin-
tendent, who didn't understand the
game, was shocked at the shout which
went up as Bill picked up his bat.
"'oh, it's dreadful TO have the calm
OF the Sabbath interrupted by such
he urged the deacon. Wouldn't
this be a good time to stop the gamer
"But the good deacon had been car
ried away by his revived enthusiasm
over baseball, and instead of affirming
this pious plan, was enraged at the su-
perintendent's suggestion.
"'Stop the game 2 he shouted. Stop
The game with Bill Medford at bat and
.hree men on bases? Well, of all dod-
iering idiots you certainly are the
prize specimen. When you get inside
The pearly gates and the Heavenly |
hosts strike up their music l suppose |
you viii let out a plaintive beat:
Please, Lord, stop them. They are
making too much noise
'The minister and the superintend-
mt sighed over the deacon's fall from
grace and moved to other seats. But |
he deacon didn't care.
"'Swat il, Billl' he shouted, standing
up on his seat, waving his hat and
With his gray hair blowing in the wind.
Line 1t out, Bill Tear the leather off
Drive a hole through that fat center
ielderl'
"Bill waited until he found ball to
lis liking and then swung hard. As be
lit he turned a little too much and
he ball sailed in line over third base.
ar, far beyond the left fielder. All the
'unners came in and Bill made the cir
,uit of the bases. The crowd, thinking
he game won, began to pile on TO the
ield preparatory 10 carrying Bill Med
ord off in triumph.
"But the umpire, who had been vain
Y trying TO make himself heard, came
unning up TO the home plate, holding
I'D his hand for silence.
"'Foull' shouted the umpire. FOUL
10 back TO your bases
"This was too much for the deacon.
'Robberl Thief he shouted, run
ing at the umpire. Kill himl Throw
he umpire into the river!'
"when the tangle was finally
traightened out the good deacon was
sorrowful and badly bumped reform
r. l tried to console him, but he re-
used to be comforted.
"'The minister and the Sunday