Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-19

"Well, we've got to accept the chal.
lcnge," Potter said. do it right away
and throw In n big bluff. Tell 'em
we've got n new pitcher that will take
all the kinks out of EN-. Then we
must rustic for a pitcher--we've got to
that's ALL
Lord, Pot, 1t makes me sick abed
thinkin' Of the luck of those Center
port Scrubs" Colonel said. They've
beat us and beat us on flukes this way
we've not had fair show in the
longest time. And now, just us Tom
Jordan was pitching in such great
shape, off he goes and gets full again.
Wish the old man Jordan would pitch
him in the river, neck and crop-its
less than he deserves"
'Well, whining nor cussing don't
help us, rs see. Pm going back to
talk with the preacher" Potter said.
Preacher be hangedw Colonel said
irreverently. "Are you going to set
him praying against the Centerports?
Potter did not answer-the last word
caught him half way across the street.
"Who is your military friend?" Har-
wood asked, smiling.
Potter explained briefly that Colo
mel was not military man. He had
been baptized that way and was the
"son" Of Roodsell Il Son. Moved by
an impulse he did not understand, lie
told also of the challenge and of Gallia
City's predicament. HARDWOOD listened,
drumming softly OH the strings of n
fine guitar. AT the end he said:
"1'm feeling pretty dull and blue this
morning. DO you think your friend
Colonel would let me toss ball to him
long enough to set my blood circulat-
ing"
Great mud, parson! Do you play
ball?" Potter asked.
II did at college, also at the semina-
ry, whenever had the chance" Har-
wood answered. Potter whistled.
Dickson almost had fits If you nam
ed baseball to him." he said. "Why,
he preached against 1t and came near
losing his job. He did lose half the
congregation. But come on. I want
Colonel to see YOU"
Colonel stared little ut Harwood's
request, but invited his two visitors
out into the alley back of the store,
where they might toss balls to their
hearts content and not a soul be the
wiser. But to Harwood's suggestion of
gloves he only said, "If it gets too hot,
I'll put 'em on, but reckon there won't
be any long whiskers on the balls you
pitch"
Harwood's eye twinkled wickedly,
but he said nothing, only stripped off
coat. vest and collar and began to toss.
He played lightly. but easily. Colonel
caught with an air of condescension
and returned the ball with a great
show Of consideration for the minis
ter's soft hands. After little Har-
wood asked If Colonel would mind
catching bit while he tried his hand
at pitching.
"Blaze away, parson," grinned Colo
mel. In minute or two square box
cover was in place as a "home plate"
and Colonel behind 1t, caricaturing the
man at the bat. HARDWOOD pretended
not to see the implied satire. He step
ped into the pitchers place, which he
had marked at the proper distance. A
ball or two went over the plate true as
an arrow.
"Good enough, parson!' Colonel
laughed, still patronizingly. you've
got the ball under bully control, sure"
HARDWOOD said over his shoulder to
Potter: "Open your eyes and get right
behind me. You'll see something. SO
will Colonel" Then In louder voice:
do you mind If pitch n few sitter
ones? want to see If have lost the
hang of it."
LET 'em come, parson" Colonel
shouted back, almost convulsed that a
little man. whom he could fling over
his shoulder, should be SO considerable.
HARDWOOD nodded, saying:
THANK you. OF course would not
put twist in them unless knew you
did not object. wish you'd put OIL
gloves, though. l hate to pitch hard
to man in bare hands,"
"Gloves, nothin'w Colonel said, al
most nettled. Maybe don't look
contagious, but you can bet your last
nick you'll find me catching"
l. Very well, my Christian friendn'
HARDWOOD called back. Catching as
you may be, you are not entirely i'm
mune. Mind out! Here goes!'
Biff sizz! the ball went out of the
parsons right hand like rifle shot.
Tipping off the ends of his fingers with
a crack like whiplash. 1t started Ia
the right of Colonel so fast the eye
could scarcely follow 1t. Colonel dart
ed to get behind 1t, when suddenly it
changed Its mind, plunged to the left.
passed him entirely and writhed, hiss
ing, far down the alley.
"Sufferin' Jimmy! What was that?"
gasped Colonel.
"oh, only one Of the things you
didn't catch-not exposed enough,
fancy" HARDWOOD grinned. Now let
me give you another"
Whizz! A great outshoot went
whistling through the air. Colonel did
his little dance agaln-only this time
he reversed. AS he brought up stand
Ing, empty handed, he said in awe
struck tones:
For the love O. God, parson, nobody
but crosseyed man could catch those
DUN things! Get one right at me-
right here" folding his hands in front
of his stomach.
"That's right where they would go If
you didn't get out of the way. Stand
still and keep your eyes open," Har-
wood commanded. "Now!"
Biff! Another sizzling inshoot. Crack!
Colonel was in the air dancing like n
wild Indian, trying to blow on his
hands and rub his elbows at the same
time. The ball had gone as Harwood
said. The conclusion of 1t had Jared
Colonel from finger tips to shoulder
hlaIau