The Washington times., 1903-09-20
A FAIRY TALE.
The Enchanted Baseball
By EDWIN J. WEBSTER,

people who pretend to be very wise say
they DO not exist any more. That is
only because they have not happened TO
see them themselves. Good fairies live
a long time, much longer than the peo-
pie who pretend not to believe in them.
But steam and electricity have COM
pletely spoiled the good fairyland busi-
ness, so there is no money in it, and
many a once prosperous good fairy is
now glad to work for his board and
clothes-and not gold-spangled clothes.
such as fairies used to wear. at that.
Tommy Tucker was a small. fat boy,
but he was wiser than he looked. and
always willing to learn, provided It
didn't mean too much work or studying
He was not as far advanced in his
studies as one would have supposed such
a good and willing boy would have been,
but he was the captain of the Tugsville
Tigers baseball team. which he con
sidered fully as important. Just now
Tommy was a good deal worried. The
Tugsville Tigers were to play the Ell
mer Eagles on the next Saturday af-
ternoon. Tommy WAS especially anxious
that his team should win this game,
but the Elmer Eagles had a pitcher who
could throw all kinds Of curves. and
Tommy was more than doubtful as to
the result OF the game. So he had wan
dered out into the lot back OF his faith
er's barn. where he sat down beside a
large. fat stone.
Tommy had heard OF good fairies, but
had never been sure whether TO be-
lieve in them. AS he thought of all they
had done for good little fat boys in the
past he sighed and said:
"Oh, dear, wish that there were
good fairies now, so that one OF them
could help me win that game"
And as he said this he happened IN
Intentionally to tap his foot three times
on the big fiat stone. which was said
TO cover hole that led goodness knows
where.
The next second Tommy was astonish-
ed by hearing a shrill little voice say:
Well here / am What In the world
do you want of me7''
Tommy turned around. and there was
the queerest little figure of a man he
had ever seen in his life. The little man
had a long gray beard, wore shabby
coat which reached below his knees. and
perched on his head was an old white
hat, which looked as IL 1t had seen it's
best days half century before. Tommy
was SO surprised that he could only stare
at the little old man with open eyes and
mouth.
why, thought good fairies always
wore gold and diamonds" he gasped.
cold and diamonds" snapped the
fairy. "A respectable good fairy Of my
years would look nice going about rugged
in that way. And let me tell you that
since steam and electricity came into
use there are few diamonds to be found
in Gnomeland. where the good fairies
live"
Tommy didn't think this was very
polite OF Mr.. Good Fairy, but he didn't
say so. for he was beginning TO appre-
ciate that good fairies, while they may
have good hearts. also have short tenn
pers, and he wanted Mr. Good Fairy's
aid In winning the baseball game with
the Elmer Eagles. So he explained his
fears for the coming game. To his de-
light Mr.. Good Fairy thought It would
be easy to fx things so the Tugsviile
Tigers would win.
81 don't quite understand the game
you call baseball" he said to Tommy,
after think hard for a moment. ''for when
] was young. centuries ago. IL wasn't
played. But you are the pitcher OF your
team, SO it seems to me that what you
want is a baseball that will curve so
that none OF the other team can hit IL. !
Before the game bring me the ball that
will be used and ! will enchantify IL so
that 1t Will curve as never baseball
curved before.
Now shut your eyes. turn around and
hold your breath while you count ten
commanded Mr.. Good Fairy.
Tommy did this, and when he opened |
his eyes there was not a sign OF Good |
Fairy. Good fairies always disappear that |
way.
Saturday morning Tommy went to the |
field back of his fathers barn and l
tapped three times on the big fat i
stone. Even now he was sort OF doubt /
fui whether Mr.. Good Fairy would really |
appear. But an instant later he heard /
Mr.. Good Fairy's shrill voice. There he
was, standing back of Tommy, having
appeared In that pulling manner good /
fairies always have and which leaves
a person rather mixed up as to where
they come from.
Tommy handed Mr. Good Fairy the
baseball, and he turned his back, hold
ing ii in his hand. Tommy could hear
him muttering to himself. but he
could not understand what he said or
see what he was doing. He was too
polite TO peek, and he was also a little
afraid, too, for fear Mr.. Good Fairy
would be vexed and enehantify him as
well as the baseball In a minute Mr.
Good Fairy turned around with the ball
But won't II curve Just the same
when the other pitcher throws it?" in
CURED Tommy doubtfulIy.
All Mr.. Good Fairy's good nature van
ished IN a moment.
why didn't you speak OF that be-
fore?' he fairly snarled Little fat
boys are so stupid sometimes. Now I
will have 10 change the standardization,
and that always IS hard work"
Then he turned around again and be-
gan muttering over the baseball. When
he handed 81 TO Tommy the second time
he said:
Even I. and ! am the wisest OF the
good fairies. can't fix the enehantihca-
ton perfected the second time. You will
have TO help little yourself. When you
start 70 pitch the ball you must look
very hard at the right OF the field. and
at the same time count ten backward.
! can't explain TO you why you must do
this. but 80 Will complete the enchantiA-
cation and make the ball curve more
than a baseball ever curved before, but
only when you yourself throw it,
When the time came for the game the
pitcher for the Elmer Eagles took his
place on the rubber first He pitched
Well enough for an ordinary pitcher, but
like the way a person who ,
knows how 20 manage an enchantifed ,
baseball would expect 10 pitch. So ,
Tommy didn't think much OF his per-
Torrance. Pretty soon the side was
and Il was Tommy's turn 10 7
nffrh He walked IN hts uIaco hoIafn~ ,