Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-26
PARSON
HARWOOD'S
CURVES
s-= By Bert Estes
s-=B By Bert Estes


Still mystery lay thick and murk over
the pitcher and some other things. One
of them was why not one of the nine
had showed his face at Mike Grogan's
saloon, which heretofore had been
baseball headquarters. Beyond that
there We're incredible rumors of no beer
on the grounds-not even the custom
airy two kegs for the team. The Dutch
man who had commonly owned that
profitable privilege had been warned
off. There was talk also Of swearing in
extra deputy marshals whose business
1t should be to suppress swearing and
all sorts Of riotous language.
The visiting club was amazed at its
reception. There were no white clad
players in wait to drag them off to
Grogan's for a social guzzle. Instead
Colonel and Bill Reed met them and
took them to the hotel, while the Gallia
City band went along, playing it's loud
est. The strains came to HARDWOOD as
he was slipping into his suit. He was
not to go with the procession, but to
meet the team at the grounds.
1t was u great procession, the band
at the head putting doggedly through
Sousa march; next the bus bearing Cen
terporters in white, with blue caps and
hose; after them another busful of Gal
las, also in white, but red on heads
and feet; then swarms of buggies,
hacks and farm wagons, packed with
friends of both mines; last of all fray
ed out drizzle of small boys intent up
on finding cracks or knotholes in the
fence through which they might at
least view the promised land
1t would be hard to say whether
there was more curiosity or anxiety in
the glances which Gallia City folk bent
upon their champions. Interest, of
course, centered on the "phenom" The
strain was not relieved when careful
counting showed in the Gallia bus only
eight regular players and two substi-
tutes. Gloom deepened perceptibly.
Those who had given odds ON Gallia
felt their coin already as good as lost.
They began to feel also that they had
been badly sold, and by their own.
Without new blood in the home team
the game was a gift to Centerport, and
SO far there was no sign of new blood.
About a minute after the appointed
hour the umpire sent the Gallias to the
field and the Centerports to the bench.
Their short stop spat loyalty upon the
cleaning new ball and rolled it in the
dirt so the pitcher might easily grip
it. There had been preliminary prac-
tice by both teams. Gallia partisans
were amazed and somewhat cheered to
see the substitute pitcher go to the
bench, not the box. The points were
empty. Almost before anybody could
remark it, out from the dressing room
beneath the grand stand shot slight,
wiry figure in white, with red stock
ings and red cap. When the figure
walked briskly into the pitchers place,
a buzz rippled clean around the ground.
Centerports captain seemed to kick,
but at low word from the umpire
dropped back, saying to himself:
Ger Gawd's sakev'
"Batter up" called the umpire. A
modern Goliath, big Jim Bunker, stalk
ed up to the plate.
"Play BALL" cried the umpire The
ball was passed. Brent faced the
mighty slugger with little Irritating
smile.
"Say, JIM" bawled the captain, eel
ther this here 'phenom' is young, or it
was picked mighty green. Anyway it
amt big enough to send a ball across
the rubber. 1t oughter be set playin'
marbles. This amt no place for chill
dren. Now, then, Jim, swat Ter over
the fence and break the phenom's'
heart"
"You just watch my smoke" Jim
said. when l hit Ter lick, she'll look
like saucer. Pm going to knock the
dashed thing fat
Excuse me, but thar amt to be no
swearin' this game" deputy marshal
said, touching the big batsman's elbow.
"All right boss. l didn't know this
was prayer meetin'," Jim said, amaze
ment in every line Of his face.
All eyes were fast on the pitcher, the
"phenom." He certainly looked too
slight for the game he was up against
Would he fail? HARDWOOD screwed the
ball into the palm of his right hand,
sprang forward, then lightly, swiftly,
as an archer might loose a tense bow
string loosed his arm and sent the ball
kissing across the plate to raise puff
Of sand between the plate and Reed.
"One strike" cried the umpire.
"Thunder" shouted Jim. 81 didn't
see It'll"
HARDWOOD silently pitched writing
rise that wound over the plate to the
utter confounding of the batter.
1.-TWO strilies!" said the umpire.
Thought it was goin' to be a low
ball." Jim said apologetically to his
captain. The captain glowered. Bill
Reed put on the mask and squatted
close up behind the bat. HARDWOOD
gripped the ball peculiarly, sign to
Bill that the pitch would be wide out
curve. The ball started apparently for
Jim's stomach. Jim doubted it would