Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-03-05


the bench Woleott turned to his next
neighbor, and said, as he shook his head
sorrowfully.
"Hard luekl fit had only been some
one else's turn now, We might have
scored. I guess little Martyrs not mp
to curves"
Marty watched the next delivery
carefully-and let it pass.
BALL" called the umpire.
Again he held himself in, although
it was all he could do to keep from
swinging at the dirty-white globe as it
sped by him.
1.-TWO ballsiH
"That's right, Marty; wait for a
good one" yelled Wolcott, hoping
against hope that Marty might get to
first on balls Marty made no answer,
but stood there, pale Of face, while
the ball sped around the bases, and AZ
last went back 10 the pitcher. Again
the sphere sped forward Now was his
timel With all his strength he swung
his bat-and twirled around on his
heel A roar Of laughter swept across
the diamond.
"Strike twol" cried the umpire.
But Marty, surprised al his failure,
yet undaunted, heard nothing save
the umpire's unmoved voice. Forward
few the ball again, this time unmis-
takably wide Of the plate, and the little
man in the snutf-colored alpaca coat
| a.
"Three ballsl"
Bob, restlessly lifting his feet TO be
off and away on his dash to third, wait
ed with despairing heart. Victory or
defeat depended upon the next pitch.
A three-bagger would tie the score,
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 ragamufiin was
no batsman, and a straight ball over
the plate would bring the agony to
an end. Upwent his hand, and straight
aud sure sped the globe.
Now. there was 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
whitley" Peters pitched in the vacant
lot back Of Keller's livery stable. And
Marty knew that kind when he saw
ii coming. Fair and square he caught
| IL. 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 well in,
and now they were TO rue II. 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 mp the field the ball was
coming TO earth slowly gently. yet far
too quickly for the fielders.
"a home runl" shrieked Wolcott
"Come on--oh, come on, Marty, my
boyi"
Warner was home, now Bob, and
then Howe was crossing the plate,
and Marty was leaving second behind
him. Would the fielder catch IL? He
dared look no longer, but sped on
ward Then a new note crept into
the shouts of the Vulcans, 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, Marty"
shriekcd Bob.
The boys twinkling feet spurned
the third bag and he swung home
ward The bali was settling into the
second Laseman's hands The latter
turned quickly and threw il straight.
swift, answering toward the plate.
"slideln 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 bali
met the catcher's gloves. The little
man in the alpaca coat turned away
with grin, and picked up his mask
/ again.
"Safe, herel"
The score was 10 to 70 in Summer
yille's favor; Martyrs home run had
saved the day.
| In another moment or two it was
all over. Sleeper had popped high
/ ly into the hands of the discounted
center fielder, and the crowds
swarmed inward over the diamond.
1t was a 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. Martyrs freckled
face was beaming with happiness and
pride. his heart sang a paean Of tri-