Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-05

bunker. II was going to be close
very much too close To Ice comfortable,
said Mr.. Gasket. He himself played a
brilliant game when he did his best.
But what with coaching one. manag-
ing another welcoming everybody.
home folks and visitors alike. 1t is not
strange that he could not give his
whole attention To the game.
II was fine course. with water
hazard In the shape of spring branch,
excellent putting greens and beautiful
~ close turf Ii 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 hazly how his nickname
had stuck and stung and repented hav-
think he could smooth over matters
by particular complacence to the lad.
1--WE shall beat them by n scratch.
We shall certainly beat them. Master
Thomas" he said. watching a particu-
larry clean drive by Alison. Tommy
looked bored. Don't strike me your
games as good as those other peo-
posing players.
Mr.. Gasket tried to look panied.
why don't you say our game. Tom
N.Y. he asked reproachfully. I'VE
must pun together. every soul OF us. IL
we are 10 win"
"Oh. you've got all those other fell
lows 10 root for you" Tommy said sar-
cas,ically. Il couldn't do a thing but
roar amt nothing but whelp, you
know"
This time Mr. Gasket really did look
panied. though he tried to mask 1t as
blank innocence. IL was his turn to
play. and the game was so even that
the fate OF il hung most likely upon
his next three strokes. His ball lay
both well and ill-in a place that IL he
could successfully loft II would mean
almost certain victory. but said lofting
required position neither ministerial
nor dignified. 1t was in little cuppy
turf hollow not far of 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-
seriousness. Friends and foes I'm watch
saw woolly. horny headed streak as
sail the STOPPING figure. send said fig
ure over upon its head. then. with Wig
orous thumps. roll II 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 bad.
sir" he said politely.
Gasket was a sorry sight. His trOu-
sers were torn. his face scratched. the
eye upon which Blinky had landed his
last thump rapidly going out of bust
ness. The rest. hurrying up. could not
help laughing. Alison clearest. merriest
of them all. AS Gasket caught the
sound he said. backing away. THE
match is on"
II was all he could say. Tommy went
home with him. faithful caddie in
spite of everything. but as he left the
rectory door lie rubbed his hands and
softly Rugged himself. repeating with
infinite gusto: Yes. the match is of.
You bet It is. l know my sister all
right