Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-22
MARTY BROWN.
 MASCOT"
By RALPH H. BARBOUR.

adopted as A mascot by the Summer .yille Baseball club, and whose chief duty was to care for the bats. After many victories, there came a day of Sisaster for the nine, with an injured Ssft fielder, and no one to put in his place.
 Boy Aver meanwhile had searched unsuccessfully for player to take the injured Webster's place, and had just concluded to apply to Vulcan's captain for one of his substitutes, when he turned to find Marty at his side. Are yer lookin' fer feller to play left field?''
 'sYes," answered Bob, eagerly. "Do you know of anyone?" t<.
 Marty nodded. sssT -.0-. : 'sWho?''s /. seMe' .s -.% -ss - -s <--- < Bob stared in surprise, but Marty looked back without finching. 'T can kplay, Bob; not like you, of course. but lpretty we'll And, besides, there ain't Tho one else, is there? Give me show, twill yer?''
 Bob's surprise had given place to I.deep thought. "Why not?" he asked slhimself Of course Marty: could play hball; what sunmeryille boy couldn't. Eto some extent2 He turned and strode ito the bench. and Marty eagerly lwatched him couferring with the oth- Eers. In moment he turned and nodded. The last half of the last in kning began with the score 12 to in fa- Eyor of Vulcan.
 sNu1can's captain, as Hamilton went to tl. 4I 2 eff youse can,' muttered Marty, !seated on the bench between Bob and EWolcott.
 \ It looked as though they con1d. Bob Egroaned as Hamilton popped short Efiy into second -baseman's hands, and 1.-the rest of the fellows echoed the Emournfu1 sound:
 lift it, VIII; lift itl" implored Bob t'as Pickering strode to the plate. And Hliftit he did. Unfortunately, however, Ewhen it descended it went plump into F:the hands of right field. In the stand Hhalf the throng were on it's feet. Bob Hooked hdpeless1y at Warner as the Ipitcher selected bat.
 E "Cheerup, Bobt" cried the latter, grin lining. 'ssI'm going to crack that ball or gknow the reason why!'
 The Vulcan pitcher was slow and acarefl1. They had taken the wearied kBaker out and put in a new twirler. EWarner let his first effort pass unno- hticed, anda looked surprised when the umpire called it strike. But he re- Eceived the next one with hearty well lcome, and sent it speeding away for a ! Esafe hit, taking first base amid the wild lcheers of the little group of blue-and- awhite-deckedw watchers. Hamilton hur- tried across to coach the runner, and hBob stepped to the plate. His contribu- ktion was a swift liner that was too khot- for the pitcher, one that placed EWarner on second and himself on first Then, with Hamilton and Sleeper both Pcoaching at the top of their lungs, 1.-the Vulcan catcher fumbled ball at (which Howe had struck, and the two Erunners moved on. The restive audi ence had overflowed on to the field now land excitement reigned. supreme. An other strike was called on Home, and ffor moment Summerville's chances appeared to be hopeless. But a minute Elater the batter was 1imping to first. shaying been. struck with the hall, and 1.-the pitcher was angrily grinding his hee1 into the ground.
 \ "Webster at bat!" called the tgcorer.
 s.That's you, Marty" said Wolcett hssIf you never do another thing, my kboy, swat that ball. l.~<
 Marty picked out bat and; strode Ecourageously to the plate. A roar of iqaughter greeted his appearance.
 tsGet on to Blue Jeans!" sGive us khome run, kid!" Say, now, sonny, stdon't fall over your pantsi"
 E It needed just that ridicule to dispe1 EMarty's nervousness. He was angry. EHow could he help his pants" being ldong? he asked himself, indignantly. EHe'd show those dudes that t.pants'' lhadn't anything to do with hitting a iibaseball! He shut his teeth hard, gripped the bat tigh8ly, and faced the s;pitcher The latter smiled at his ad- iversary, but was not willing to take any chances, with the bases full. And Eso. needless of the requests to ssToss shim an easy one, Joel" he delivered a tswift, straight drop over the plate.
 4.Strske!'' droned.the little umpire, skipping aside.
 Marty drowned, but gave no other fisign of the chill of disappointment fthat had travelled down his spine. Or 1.-the bench Wolcott turned to his next neighbor, and said, as he shook hish heao gorrowfully.
 .sHard lucki fit had only been some ,ene e1se's turn now, we might have scored. I guess little Marty's not ul to curves.''
 Marty watched the next delivery carefully and let it pass ssBaIl!" called the umpire. Again he held himself in, although it was all he could do to keep iron swinging at che dirty-white globe as i sped by him.
 "Two ballsl''
 4That's right. Marty; wait for : good one,'' yelled Wolcott, hoping against hope that Marty might get tt first on balls. Marty made no answer but stood there, pale of face, while the ball sped around the bases, and a, last went back to the pitcher. Agai1