The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-01-15


what's the matter with Stevens OF the
Riversldes? Hessya bird-no mistake"
Colonel shook his head. "Never do
In the world" he said. "'Twouldn't
be a square deal for one thing; for an
other, they'd be sure to get ON to it
and them
"Well, we've got to acceL& the chal-
lcnge," Potter said. "Do IL right away
and throw in Il big blum. Tell 'em
we've got n new pitcher that will take
all the kinks out OF 'em. Then W.
must rustic for u pitcher-we've got to
that's ALL"
"Lord, Pot, IL makes me sick abed
thinkin' of the luck of those Center
port Scrubs" Colonel said. "They've
bcat us and beat us on fukes his way
we've not had n fair show in the
longest time. And now, just as Tom
Jordan vas pitching in such great
shape, Off he goes and gets full again.
Wish the old man Jordan would pitch
him in the river, neck and crop-it's
less than he deserves"
"Nell, whining nor cusslng don't
help MS, as 1 see. I'm going back to
talk with the preacher" Potter said.
preacher be hanged!!' Colonel said
irreverently. Are you going to set
J him praying against the CcnterportsT'
Potter did not answer-the last word
caught him half way across the street.
"Who is yonr military friond?" Har-
wood asked, smiling.
Potter explained briefly that Colo.
mel was not n military man. He had
been baptized that way and was the
'son" of Roodscll & Son. Moved by
an impulse he did not understand. he
told also Of the challenge and of Gallia
City's prcdicamCnt. Uarwood listened,
drumming softly on the strings of II
fine guitar. At the end lie said:
I'm feeling pretty dull and blue this
morning. Do you think your friend
Colonel would let me toss bill to him
lUHg enough to set my blood circulat-
ingi"
Great mud, parson! Do you play
ball?" Potter asked.
Il did at college, also at the semina-
~, whenever l had the chance" Har-
wood answered Potter whistlcd.
dickson almost had fits If you nam
ed baseball to him." he said. "Why,
he preached against it and came near
losing his job. He did lose half the
congregation. But come on. I want
Colonel to sec YOU"
Colonel stared a little at Harwood's
request, but invited his two visitors
out into the alley back Of the store,
where they might toss balls to their
hearts content and not a soul be the
wiser. But to Harwood's suggestion of
! gloves he only said, "If 1t gets 100 hot,
I'll put ZEN on, but l reckon the won't
be any long whlskers on the balls you
pitch"
Harwood's eye twinkled wickedly,
but he said nothing, only stripped of
coat. vest and collar and began to toss.
He played lightly, but easily. Colonel
caught With an air of condescension
and returned the ball with a great
show of consideration for the minis
ter's soft hands. After a little uar-
wood asked II Colonel would mind
catching n bit while he tried his hand
at pitching.
BLAZE away, parson," grinncd Colo
mel. In a minute or two a square box
cover was In place as n "home plate
and Colonel behind 1t, caricaturing the
man at the bat. HARDWOOD pretended
not to see the implied satire. He step
ped into the pitchers place, which he
had marked at the proper distance. A
ball or two went owe the plate true as
an arrow.
Good enough, parson!' Colonel
laughed, still patronizingly. "You've
got the ball under bully control, sure
HARDWOOD said over his shoulder to
Potter: open your eyes and get right
behind me. You'll see something. So
will Colonel" Then In n louder voice:
"Do you mind If l pitch n few sitter
ones? | want to see If | have lost the
bang of it,"
"Let 'em come, parson" Colonel
shouted back, almost %convulsed that a
little man., whom he could fling over
his shoulder, should be so considerable.
HARDWOOD nodded, saying:
"Thank you. OF course / would not
put twist in them unless j knew you
did not object. I wish you'd put on
gloves, though. / hate to pitch hard
10 a man in bare hands"
"Gloves, nothin'l' Colonel said, al.
most ncttled. Maybe 1 don't look
contagious, but you can bet your last
nick you'll find me catching"
every well, my Christian friendn'
Harwood called back. Catching rs
you may be, you are not entirely i'm
mune. Mind out! Here goes"
Biff! sizZ! the ball went out Of the
parsons right hand like n rifle shot,
Tipping off the ends of his fingers with
a crack like n whiplash. 1t started to
the right of Colonel so fast the eye
could scarcely follow it. Colonel dart
ed to get behind it, when suddenly it
changed its mind, plunged to the left,
passed him entirely and writhed, hiss
Ing, far down the alley.
"Sufferin' Jimmy! What was that?"
gasped Colonel.
"Oh, only one OF the things you
didn't catch-not exposed enough, L
fancy" Harwood grinned. "Now let
me give you another"
Whizz! A great outsboot went
whistllng through the air. Colonel did
his little dance again-oniy this time
he reversed. AS he brought up stand.
Ing. empty handed. he said i'm awe.
struck tones:
For the love o. God, parson, nobody
but a crosseycd man could catch those
i IN tDr ltnI