The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-10

to-day, thank you I've got to see Doc
Johnson about them things"
Il m very sorry" HARDWOOD said demure-
ly but you wouldn't put on gloves for
parsons pitching, you know. Soak your
hands in very hot water-iL will set them
all right. Now, is there any other gen
tleman who cares to play ball?"
In the soft warm twilight of that
eventful day Harwood sat coatess and
comfortable in the parsonage study. He
was smoking and trying hard to keep
cool. He was also very lonely, and it
alone in the deserted house. So he was
genuinely glad to hear heavy steps upon
the gravel, and a little later to welcome
Potter Colonel, Reed and some more men
he did not know.
This isn't exactly a social call" Pot
ter began, yet we can't exactly call i,
busness-and the fact is, were all afraid
to begin"
20 Ho! somebody going TO commit
matrimony! Who is il? Colonel or my
friend Reed?" Harwood asked, his eyes
twinkling. Reed grinned broadly. The
day before he would have thrashed the
man who had named him friend TO par
son. But man who could play such ball
that was another matter altogether
you're dead wrong. parson. That sort
of thing comes right in your line-and
ours is way off it, Potter said. I'VE are
in a hole; we want your help-but we
don't know how you'll take our PROPOSE
ton"
But you do know, at least you ought
to- that if 1 can legidma;ely help you
or any one in this town, 1 shall be both
proud and happy to do it," said Har-
wood.
But this is clean outside ministerial
duty" Potter began HARDWOOD smiled.
Il am a man as well as a minister" he
said.
Bill Reed broke in: Now, looky here,
Amt no use chawin' longer on that rag
Parson has give out fair an square he
wants TO be took on the dead level-a man
same as we are, only damn-sight-ex-
cuse my French, parson-it gifts the best
o. my United States before l know it,
The case is this-we want you to help us
lick them da-er, them neatly Centerport
chaps. We can do it if you pitch fer us.
Nothin' in this county aint in the game
with you. If you'll do it every man Jack
O. US II stick 10 you like lean tick to a
hog. That's whuts the matter with us,
and there we be-"
Harwood's face was a study. He was
amused, pleased, beyond everything
touched, by this recognition of common
manhood. It was The passion of his life
to help men realize their own possibilities.
He yearned to preach manhood rather
than dogma His heart was warm and
he smiled as he sad:
II thought you had come for that. and
am glad you came. If you had not
should have volunteered-that Is, If you
had agreed 10 my conditions"
Wen fix all that, parson," two or
three began eagerly.
Harwood held up his hands. you don't
understand l don't want money" he said,
~ do want-yCurselves. If l do some hing
for you-something on which your hearts
l,f 10 a H,gt Fa,-
me That is TO say If l play ball, You
come to church. Is ii a bargain?"
"You help us everlastingly lick them
C1enterports," Bill burst out, You can
say, Boys come roost on the church steps
from sun-up to shutdown, every sunday
and gamble on our doin' livery dam one
OF US. Hey, boys? o do excuse me- parse !.
I've been a tough sort all me life-3ut be
damned IL l don't quit swearn' right
now"
"Ahv' said Harwood, gentlemen, this
brings up something else. You know, ard
/ know. how i'll l can afford to have IL
said / belong 10 an organization OF toughs
/ want to belong to-en organization of
gentlemen in the best sense Of the void.
II l am to be "A club member you must
give me your word that drunkenness and
swearing shall stop. Now we understand
each other. There's my hand. II you shake
IL l shall know you take me-condidons
and all
Every man in the room gave MIN a
hearty grip. then talk began to buzz
about Saturdays game. All agreed he
new pitcher had best be kept dark. Also
that Harwood should wear a baseball suit
II have my own with me-a G. 90 he
shirt will make IL all right" Harwooi
said, and so the little company went
away exuliant beyond words.
Saturday was fair and hot-the ve.y
,tanthar for urouf hall Ilut Hot ~.
sun shone 1t was mild compared to the