The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1901-12-28
CASEY AT THE BAT.
By ERNEST L TuAYER.

hlookrd extremely rocky for the Boston nine that day:
The score stood two 70 tour, with but an Inning lett 10 play.
So, when Coouey died at second, and Burrows ind the same,
A paror wreathed the features Of the patrons of the game.
A straggiug few got dp to 90, leaving there The rest.
With that hope which springs eternal within the human bressl.
For they thought: "It only Casey could get a whack at ths,,'
Toeyd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat
But Flynn preceded Casey, and likewise so did Blake,
Aud the former was a pudd'n, and the latter was II fake.
SO on that stricken multitude a doathHSe silence sat,
For there seemed but little chance of CNseys getun' to the bat.
But Flynn lie, drive a "single, - to the wonderment of all,
And the much despised Bakey 'lore the cover off the ball"
And when the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred,
There was Blakey safe at second, and Flynn abuggin' third.
Then, from the ]gladdeued multitude went up a joyous yell,
1t rumbed in the mountain tops. 1t ratified IN the dell;
# struck upon the hillside, aud rebounded on the fiat;
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing TO The bat.
There was ease IN Casey's manner as he stepped into his place,
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Caseys face;
And when responding to the cheers he lightly dotted his hat,
No stranger IN The crowd could doubt twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt,
five thousand tongues qpplnuded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then when the writing phc ~r ground the ball INTO his hip
Defiance glanced in Casey's eyr' a sneer cuded Caseys lip.
And now he lesther-cover~d sphere came hurling through the air,
An Casey stood a.walchin' i. IN naughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy bstsman the ball UNDECIDED sped:
THAT amt my STYLE" said Casey. "Stuke one,' the umpire said.
FiOu Tue oeucues' OiaeA Win PeoPe' heI - up n muiheu oal
Like the beating g of storm waves on the stern and distant shore;
Kill him! kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
Andits likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hsnc
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's vtage shone;
He stiled the rising tumult, he made the game 90 on;
He sIgnaled to the pitcher, and once more The spherod Asw;
But Casey still ignored ii, and the umpire said Strike two"
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered
'Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed;
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
Aud they new that Casey wouldn't lie. the ball go by again.
The sueer is gone from Casey's lips, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel vengeance his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now be lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force Of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band Is playing somewhere, and somewher hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, aud somewhere children shout,
But there is no JOY in Boston; mighty Casey has struck out.