Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-02-13

bunker. 1t was going to be close
very much too close to be comfortable,
said Mr.. Gasket. He himself played
brilliant game when he did his best.
But what with coaching one, manag
ing another, welcoming everybody,
home folks and visitors alike, it is not
strange that he could not give his
whole attention to the game.
1t was fine course, with water
hazard in the shape of spring branch,
excellent putting greens and beautiful
ly close turf. 1t was by Tommy's
suggestion that the turf on the Prior
share of the course had been graZed
down with the flock of sheep only two
days before. Tommy indeed had been
wonderfully active in all manner of
good works for the match. Mr.. Gas
ket knew hazily how his nickname
had stuck and stung and repented hav-
ing given it, but was unwise enough to
think he could smooth over matters
by particular complacence to the lad.
"We shall beat them by scratch.
We shall certainly beat them. Master
Thomas he said, watching a particu-
larly clean drive by Alison. Tommy
looked bored ''Don't strike me your
games as good as those other peo-
ple's,'' he said, nodding toward the op-
posing players.
Mr.. Gasket tried to look panied.
"Why don't you say our game, Tom
my?" he asked reproachfully. "We
must pull together, every soul of us, If
we are to win"
"Oh, you've got all those other fell
lows to root for you" Tommy said sar-
castically. 81 couldn't do a thing but
roar. 1 amt nothing but a whelp, you
know"
This time Mr.. Gasket really did look
panied, though he tried to mask it as
blank innocence. 1t was his turn to
play, and the game was so even that
the fate of it hung most likely upon
his next three strokes. His ball lay
both we'll and ill-in a place that if he
could successfully loft it would mean
almost certain victory, but said lofting
required a position neither ministerial
nor dignified. 1t was in a little cuppy
turf hollow not far off the boundary.
A low fence marked the bounds.
Across it sheep hustled and rummaged
peacefully through weed grown stub
BILE. The minister took no note of them
nor of anything indeed save the little
white ball lying so snug in the faded
grass. Half STOPPING, half crouching,
he grasped his maShie firmly in his
hand.
The rest was chaos plus earthquake
at least to the Gasket inner con-
sciousness. Friends and foes in watch
saw woolly, horny headed streak as
sail the STOPPING figure, send said fig
ure over upon its head, then, with vig-
orous thumps, roll it over and over
across six yards of turf. Nobody knew
just what might not have happened
had not Tommy bravely rushed to the
minister's rescue, caught Blinky by
the horns and forced him, struggling
and bleating, back over the fence he
had leaped like fash of lightning.
In spite of doing all that Tommy
was the first to assist Gasket to his
feet. Il hope you're not hurt TOO Dad,
sir" he said politely.
Gasl1et was sorry sight His trou-
sers were torn, his face scratched. the
eye upon which Blinky had landed IS
last thump rapidly going out of b +
ness. The rest, hurrying up, could -,
help laughing, Alison clearest, merriest
of them all. AS Gasket caught the
sound he said. backing away, ''The
match is Off"
1t was all he could say. Tommy went
home with him, faithful caddie in
spite of everything, but as he left the
rectory door he rubbed his hands and
softly hugged himself, repeating with
infinite gusto: Eyes, the match is off.
You bet it is. 1 know my sister all
rightr'