The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-16
Player in the World.
By HENRY M. BLOSSOM, Jr.

gT, scratching his head pcrplexedly,
hes done chawed his tag
''Metaphorically, / had 'chawed my tag
and finding myself in Edinburgh it struck
me ono afternoon that I'd like to see the
St Andrews course, and perhaps have
u try for some sort of a score.
It's only n short run and I arrived
about seven o'clock in the evening. You
know, over there, it doesn't get dark I'M
til after nine o'clock. L put up at lit
tie inn-The Sign of the-sonthin or 9TH
er-I forget the namo of it now; very
quaint though and primitive, and near the
golf course. had a couple OF good stiff
drinks, for there was a fine mist falling,
and it was colder than a Boston heiress.
Then 1 sailed forth, as they say in the
story books, for a look at The links While
my dinner was being prepared. There
was quite a bunch of players at work,
in spite of what we would consider the
beastly weather. and I followed two griz-
zled old Scotchmen, the last three holes.
They We're playing crackln good golf,
for Il couple of old has-beens and play
ing for blood. apparently. Never saying
a word, except to call fore to their cad
dies talso old mem when about to drive.
So. Of course. I didn't know how they
stood. But at the last hole. one of them
made a phenomenal putt from the edge
of the green and heard his caddy say to
the other, under his breath, that's the
match The other old chap went down
in one more picked up his ball without a,
word paid his caddy and started of in
silence his friend trudgins along be-
side him.
.'They were going my way, and I trailed
in behind them, more amused than l
can begin to tell you I could see that
one correspondngly 'swelled,' but still
not word from either of them until. I'M
der the lee of the inn they stopped to re-
fill and light their pipes, when I heard
the winner say that wis a gcy guild putt
at the last hole, Dauvit.' y
Oh ye for a garruous old fule.''
said the other one, .'ye maun be aye
clattern'.' Wouldn't Heinz jar that
If he had it? Dead in earnest you know
and on the level. Well. as I vas
Hold on, Fresh - exclaimed Bob, .'be-
fore you go any further. have we got to
listen to dialect story? Scotch dialect,
at that?"
mo. that will be ALL" replied Fresh,
'All right said Bob, ''then we'll so
through with YOU
well. as I was saying continued
Fresh lit was awful cold. although it
was July, and soon as finished my
dinner, l pulled up before the big open
fireplace lighted my pipe. and started to
read a book I CHANGED to have brought
with me. The landlord was fussing
around. buster than hen with one chick
en-. serving drinks and talking small
talk with half a. dozen customers. The
talk was all golf. of course and heard
some funny stories. but it is impossible to
give you more than a bare idea of them.
Two Draw lads'-excusc me. Mr.. Howe
were i,raZenly Joking and drinking over
their mutually unsuccessful attempt to
cheat ono another that afternoon. 1t
seems that one had lost his ball and the
other was holding the watch on him.
ready to call time at the five minute limit.
In desperation. No. / quietly drops an
other ball from his pocket and as No. .
is about to claim the hole. he finds it,
All! here's my ball +" he says.
&c You're a liar says the other, I've
had your ball in me pocket these three
minutes past -
Somehow fell into a dose. but I
awoAc with a sudden start the notion
strong in my mind that. if T expected to
play golf in the morning. I'd better per-
suade mine host to fix up a match for
me. and arrange to borrow or buy some
clubs from somebody. l discovered. as
I looked about that there was no one left