The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-25
THE STRANGER BOUGHT
Ran UP AGAINST .LI1vrLE JIMMIE
WHO MEONLY TOOK. ADVAN-
TAGE OF HIS >GUILELESSNEsS.

Little Jimmie" Latourelle, the mu-
slcian. one of the best known charac-
tiers in Minneapolis, is, an inveterate
joker, and his favorite Josh" is to re-
late TO some unsuspecting stranger a
long series of mythical experiences as
|! professional baseball player.
For the benefit of those not ac-
quainted with Jimmie-tho their num-
Der is comparatively few-it should be
explained that the point of the joke
lies in the fact that Jimmie weighs
somewhere in the neighborhood of 500
pounds. His embonpoint is Of such
proportions that it ceases to be a sub
Ject for mirth, and inspires the be-
holder rather. with wonder and awe.
Yesterday morning Jimmie encoun-
tered Perry Werden, manager of the
Fargo baseball club. in we'll known
down town refectory. =.
I'm ready to sign contract to play
with your team, Perry he said, "but
L think l ought to have a bonus,
A stranger standing near looked his
aston1shment, and Perry responded to
his cue. "Can you get your release? %
from Comiskey he asked. eff you
can, I'll give you the same money he
did and hundred bonus for signing"
sure [ can get my release replied
Jimmie. II told him last year I
wouldn't stand for a cut. I'd rather
play bench.''z -
The stranger was swelling visibly
with curiosity. He saw a K. P. badge
on Jimmie S coat, exhibited one of his
own, gave the high sign and asked
Perry and Jimmie to join him.
Were, you talking about playing
baseball?"' he asked. g You look too
TAT to play the game, L should think
Not a bit of it, said Jimmie 'I
only weigh $40 hounds now. You see
| play shortstQp. 1 was with Comiskey's
team in Chicago last year, and I'll
probably go UP to Fargo to play on
the Northern league team this sum
mer. l play between second and third
base, and the batters can't get. a ball
past me-. If. it hits me in the stomach
it bounces back to first base and the
mans. put out. If it hits me on the
leg, the second or third baseman
gets it, 49, - ~, .. ~
:. The stranger looked .incredulous. He
searched 'Jimmie's face for some indi-
cation whether he was "joshing."
Jimmie's features, however, were as
bland and innocent as those of a new
born babe. -. SO. ...
why if you think Tn heavy now
he. said, you ought to see me in the
fall when. play football with. the
university team. I'll have to put on a
lot of weight before I'll be in shape
for the season. l expect to weigh
pretty near 900.' ~,
That's a game I don't know much
about" said the stranger. SWhat do
you do?'' .. ..,~..-r- .-.-..-
We'll you see, in this game of foot
ball. the idea is to hold the ball as
long as you cam explained Jimmie
The stranger remembered having
heard something to this effect.
!, Well" said Jimmie, when my side |
gets the ball, they give it to me and
lie down on it. Before the other team
can roll me off, the games over, and
they lose"
Perry and the clerk each had a Sc
we're coughing spell at this point, but
Jimmie still looked as childlike and
guileless as an agent who has just sold
you a bunch of mining stock.
The time was with Barnum's cir
Gus in the sideshow, he said, 81
weighed 1,175 pounds. ! was drawing
a big salary, but [ wasn't happy. It |
me too much to. have |
people coming in crowds that way and |
staring me in the face. I was going |
10 quit the show when the manager !
got up a scheme SO. he could exhibit /