Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-01

town that a pitch q bal within fouI
feet of the plate. Centerport knows II
too-thats just why they've run this
challenge on us"
Round up Tom. He a get In
shape" Potter said confidently.
Colonel snorted: Round nothin'!
Toms a holy terror when he's on a
spree-besides, he's gone. Maybe the
Lord knows where he isl don't, for
slre. It's the very cussedest luck-Id
rather lose a hundred dollars than
have them fellows come and wallop us
land we've got to play 'em. Il we re-
fuse they'll crow over 1t forever and
the day after"
Great mud!' said Potter-he never
said anything stronger-"that mustn't
happen. Can't we import a pitcher7
What's the matter with Stevens of the
Riversides? He's q bird-no mistake"
Colonel shook his head. Never do
IN the world" he said. "'Twouldn't
be q square deal for one thing; for an
other, they'd be sure to get on to it
and then
"Well, we've gotsto accept the chal-
lcnge," Potter said. "Do 1t right away
and throw In q big bluff. Tell 'em
we've got q new pitcher that will take
all the kinks out Of 'em. Then we
must rustic for q pitcher-we've got to
that's all"
4Lord, Pot, It makes me sick abed
thinkin' OF the luck OF those Center
port Scrubs" Colonel said. They've
beat US and beat US on f1ukes this way
we've not had q fair show in the
longest time. And now, just as Tom
Jordan was pitching in such great
shape, of he goes and gets full again.
Wish the old man Jordan would pitch
him in the river, neck and crop-it's
less than he deserves"
well. whining nor cussing don't
help us, as / see. I'm going back to
talk with the preacher" Potter said.
Preacher be hangedI Colonel said
irreverently. Are you going to set
him praying against the C~enterports?"
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 a military man. He had
been baptized that way and was the
'son" of Roodsen & Son. Moved by
an impulse he did not understand, he
told also Of the challenge and Of Gallia
City's predicament. HARDWOOD listened
drumming softly on the strings OF .
fine guitar. At the end he said:
I'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, parsonl Do you play
ball?" Potter asked.
II did at college, also at the semina-
ry, whenever I had the chance" Har-
wood answered. Potter whistled.
Dickson almost had hts II 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 e you"
Colonel stared a little at 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. III 1t gets too hot,
I'll put 'em on. but I reckon there won't
be any long whiskers on the balls you
PITCH"
Harwood's eye twinkled wickedly,
but he said nothing only stripped OF
coat. vest and collar and began to toss.
He played lightly. but easily. Colonel
caught with an air OF condensation
and returned the ball with q great
show OF consideration for the minis
ter's soft hands. After q little Har-
wood asked II Colonel would mind
catching a BIT while he tried his hand
at pitching.
sBlaze away. parson." grinned Colo
mel. In q minute or two o square box
cover was In place as o "home plate"
and Colonel behind 1t, caricaturing the
man at the bat. Harwood 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, parsonr Colonel
laughed, still pa~tronizingiy. you've
got the bail under bully control, sure"
Harwood 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:
EDO you mind II I pitch g few sitter
ones? l want to see IL I have lost the
hang Of It"
let 'em come, parsonr" Colonel
shouted back. almost conyulsed that q
little man, whom he could ding over
his shoulder. should be SO considerate.
HARDWOOD nodded, saying:
THANK you. OF course I would not
put twist In them unless I knew you
did not object. I wish you'd put on
gloves. though. I hate to pitch hard
TO q man IN bare hands"
Gloves, nothin'v' Colonel said. al
most nettled. Maybe I don't look
contagious, but you a bet your last
nick you'll find me catching"