Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-22

safe hit would bring Sleeper to the bat. But as he looked at the pale-faced odd-looking figure beside the plate, he realized how hopeless it all was. The pitcher, thinking much the same thought, prepared for his last effort. Plainly the queer little ragamufin was no batsman, and a straight ball over the plate would bring the agony to an end. Up went his hand, and straight aud sure sped the globe.
 Now, therewas one kind of ball that Marty knew all about, and that was a nice, clean, straight one, guiltless of curve, or drop or rise, the kind that ssWhitey" Peters pitched in the vacant lot back of Keller's livery stable. And Marty knew that kind when he saw it coming. Fair and square he caught it, just where he wanted it. on the bat. All his strength, heart and soul were, behind that swing. There was sharp crack, a sudden mighty roar from the watchers, and Marty was speeding toward first base.
 High and far sped the ball. Center and left fielder turned as one man and raced up the field. Obeying instruc- tions, they had been playing we'll in, and now they were to rue it. The roar of the crowd grew in volume. Warner, Bob and Howe were. already racing home, and Marty, running as hard as his legs would carry him, was touching second. Far up the field the ball was coming to earth slowly, gently, yet far too quickly for the fie1ders
 YtA home r1.ni" shrieked WoIcott. "Come on-oh, come on, Marty, my bowl" 1.- -.-.- .2'..-> :.
 Warner was home, now Bob, and then Howe was crossing the plate, and Marty was, leaving second behind him.. Would fhe fielder catch it? He dared look no longer, but sped on- ward. Then a new note crept into the shouts of the Vulcans, a note of disappointment, of despair. Up the field the center fielder had tipped the ball with one 'outstretched hand, but had failed to catch it! At last, how ever, it was speeding home toward second base. ,.
 ''Come on! Come on, Martyl'' shrieked Bob.
 The boys twinkling feet spurned the third bag and he swung home ward. The ball was s@settling into the second baseman's hands. The latter turned quickly and threw it straight, swift, answering toward the plate.
 ''Slide!" yelled Bob and Warner in a breath.
 Marty threw himself desperately forward; there was cloud of brown dust at the plate. a thug as the ball met the catcher's gloves. The little with B grin, and picked up his mask again.
 'fSafe, here!"
 The score was 13 to 12 in Summer ville's favor;- Marty's home run had saved the day! .s.s- ..a
 sI In another moment or two it was all over. Sleeper had popped high fly into the hands of the discounted center fielder, and the crowds swar1ned inward over the diamond.
 It was tired, hungry, but joyous little group that journeyed back to Summerville through the soft, mel low summer twilight. Marty and the leather bat case occupied a whole seat to themselves. Marty's freckled face was beaming with happiness and pride, his heart sang a paean of tri- umph in time to the clickety-click of the cac wheels, and in one hand, tightly ,clenched, nestled te1i-dollar gold piece. ..-<
 It was his share of the hundred purse the nine had won, Bob had ex- plained, and it had been voted to him unanimously. And next spring he was to join the team as substituted! And Marty, doubting the trustiness of his pockets, held the shining prize firmly in his fist and grinned happily over the praise and thanks of his companions. assIt wasn't 1nothin', that home run; any feller could have done that!'' And, besides, he explained, he had known all along that they were going to win. ''Why-don't you see?-the other fellers didn't have any mas eoti'-St Nicholas. |. n