The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-24

representatives of the two political fae- tions of the town.
 T hurried across lots and arrived at the field in time to see Watts on the shoulders of a six-footer, with wreath of marigolds and peonies the size of life preserver hanging around his neck. My blood began to run faster at the sight and I resolved right there not to root for the side to which the honored player belonged. Ball games always shatter my nerves and usually keep shy of them, but anything was acceptable just then that would drive away the megrims
 Well. the excitement created by the long hit had subsided in about twenty minutes. by which time I had taken my stand on the side of the Lincoln rooters, the ones who were bowling for Barney Watts.
 'It was about this time that I lost track of my grip containing the samples of Old Kentucky, as l did not remember any more about 1t until I saw several of the strongest rooters breathing deeply from bottle which they passed to me. The label with my name on attracted my attention, but the Incident was not worthy of notice at that critical period, so I drank to their success and passed the bot tie on.
 "The score now stood to 5. with the Lincolns still at the bat and with two men out. The next man at the bat swatted the leather and reached second, but in at tempt to make third was caught My blood was tearing through my veins at rate that was simply irrisistible now, and had shaken hands with all the good fellows in the Lincoln crowd. and I was being introduced to the women and girls just as the Jacksons made their sixth run. It was the last of the ninth and of course the game belonged to the Jack sons. expressed my sorrow to the mayor of the town who was the manager of the Lincolns.
 What your pitcher needs Is a little coaching said I, and he'll be a rattling good man. A few of those burning ones thatl singe the hair off their necks and we'll be shouting victory tomorrow even ing. But he's got to load them to the muZzle and shoot them over with all his might, mind you. He's trying to put too many kinks in the leather and that's talk ing the life out of his arm. Curves are back numbers, anyhow
 'Supposing you let him throw you a few said the mayor, who was impressed with my enthusiastic manner.
 T agreed and In a few minutes was in an alley trying to get the glove on the wabbly leather. I was really surprised to learn how much speed that young sprout had. However, l was right in my point of advice that he should confine himself to straight balls, for he could throw them to perfection. All I could see after the ball left his fingers was a dot in the air and before l could wink 1t had reached me in good style. The leather dropped on various parts of my frame, but I was so enthusiastic over the pitchers speed that l paid no attention to my stinging fingers and the burning spots on various parts of my face and body. The next morning I had to carry my right arm In a sling but the lovely hopes I was having for the sue- cess of the Lincolns made me impervious to all pains.
 Tt is needless to say that the Lincolns won the next day, for that pitcher did just as I had told him. The Jacksons could not find the ball because they were sc used to batting curves. The story got out that was member of the National league and had given the Lincoln pitcher the cue to one of the latest baseball stunts. That night fed and slept at the royal residence of the mayor, for he would not have 1t otherwise.
 "The next day second victory for the Lncolns put them on par with the Jack sons, who had won their first game the day before my arrival fin the town. The game of Saturday was to decide the championship of Scott county. I didn't close my eyes at all on Friday night for the fever was raging furiously through my veins. I gathered up all the bets of whatever odds that I could get for was dead sure that the Lincolns would come out to the good
 "On Saturday that town was simply packed with people who had come from every district of the county. The streets were lined with rigs of every descrip- ton Several fields were thrown open where the crowds might eat their lunches, as each family had brought It's basket along. It was one of the proudest mo- ments of my life when I was pointed out by an old citizen as the champion league player and the coach of the winning team