Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-10-15
MARTY BROWN,
MASCOT"
BY RALPH H.

MARTY was a small, s~nub-nosed,
freckle-faced youth who had been
adopted as a mascot by the Summer
vile Baseball club, and whose chief
duty was to care for the bats. After
many victories, there came a day Of
disaster for the nine, with an injured
left fielder, and nc n to put in his
place.
Boy Aver meanwhile had searched
unsuccessfully for a player to take
the injured Webster'S place, and had
Just concluded TO apply to Vulcan's
captain for one Of HIS substitutes, when
he turned TO hHd Marty at his side.
"Are yer looBin' fer a Teller to play
left feld?"
Eyes" answered Bob, eagerly. "Do
you know Of anyone?"
Marty nodded.
"Who?"
"Me."
Bob stared in surprise, but Marty
looked back without finching. 81 can
play, Bob; not like you, of course, but
pretty well. And. besides, there amt
no one else, is there? Give me a show,
will yer?"
Bob's surprise had given place to
deep thought. "Why not?" he asked
himself. OF course Marty could play
ball; what Summerville boy couldn't,
to some extent? He turned and strobe
20 the bench, and Marty eagerly
watched him comforting with the 9TH
ers. In a moment he turned and
nodded. The last half Of the last in
ming began with the score - to 9 in ia
vor of Vulcan.
'Play carefully, fellows" shouted
Vulcan's captain, as Hamilton went to
bat. "We've got to shut them out"
eff youse can" muttered Marty,
seated on the bench between Bob and
. Wolcott.
It looked as though they could. Bob
groaned as Hamilton popped a short
fly into second-baseman's hands, and
the rest Of the fellows echoed the
mournful sound.
lift it, Will; lift tit" implored Bob
as Pickering strobe to the plate. And
lift it he did. Unfortunately, however,
when it descended it went plump into
the hands of right field. In the stand
half the throng were on its feet. Boz
looked hopelessly at Warner as the
pitcher selected a bat.
"Cheerup, Bob!" cried the latter, grin.
ming. SIN going to crack that ball OF
know the reason whyl"
The Vulcan pitcher was slow and
careful. They had taken the wearied
Baker out and put in a new twirler
Warner let his first effort pass unno.
ticed, and looked surprised when the
umpire called 1t a strike. But he re.
ceived the next one with a hearty vel
come, and sent it speeding away for q
safe hit, taking first base amid the wilt
cheers Of the little group Of blue-and
white-decked watchers. Hamilton hur
RED across to coach the runner, and
Bob stepped to the plate. His contribu
ton was a swift liner that was too
hot for the pitcher, one that placed
Warner on second and himself on first
Then, with Hamilton and Sleeper boil
coaching at the top of their lungs
the Vulcan catcher fumbled a ball a.
which Howe had struck, and the TIVE
runners, moved on. The FESTIVE audi
ence had overfowed on to the field now
and excitement reigned supreme. An
other strike was called on Home, an,
for a moment Summerville's chance
appeared to be hopeless. But a minut
later the batter was limping to first
having been struck with the ball, ant
the pitcher was angrily grinding hi
heel into the ground.
"Webster at bati" called tn.
scorer.
"That's you, Marty" said Wolcott
@If you never do another thing, m,
boy, swat that ball"
Marty picked out a bat and strod
eourageously to the plate. A roar o
laughter greeted his appearance.
"Get on to Blue Jeansl" "Give us
home run, kid" "Say, now, sonny
don't fall over your pantsl"
It needed just that ridicule to dispe
Martyrs nervousness. He was angry
How could he help his pants. bein
long? he asked himself, indignantly
He'd show those dudes that pants
hadn't anything to do with hitting
BASEBALL lie shut his teeth hare
gripped the bat tightly, and faced tn
pitcher. The latter smiled at his al
versary. but was not willing to tax
any chances, with the bases fun. An
so, needless Of the requests to "Tos
him an easy one joel" be delivered
swift, straight drop over the plate.
"~strikel" droned the little umpir.
skipping aside.