Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-10
Lilies and the Ringtail Roarers for the

NiihS' ~ yOd lfIldBlne lne SOrDrIS
, of the thousands who had gathered II
Lily Park for the big event when the,
learned that Cy was down to play lief
field. A guy named Lem Malone wal
slated to do the pitching in his stead.
Hey! yelled a roOter to Slugge1
Burroughs, the Lily captain, who |.
this Lem Malone, anyhow
Hanged if 1 know growled the
Slugger. But he'll be Begin us t.
lem alone before this games over
Say. I've seen some strange looking
ball tossers in my time, but never any.
one that seemed quite as much out OF
place on diamond as Lem Malone did
He was weazened-up. pasty-faced
little guy. with oily black hair brushed
up on one side, and a pair of piercing
black eyes that looked right through
you. no matter how much you weighed
As for pitching. that guy had
neither curves nor control. while as for
speed he'd have looked SLOW on a dull
day in Philadelphia. But, saw he had
a preliminary motion shat simply
/ paralyzed 'em.
when Siuggers Burroughs toed tn,
plate Lem began to size him up with
those coal black peppers of his.
| He raised his arm and whirled it
round and round in bewiderirg, loop
the-loop gyrations. Then, suddenly
breaking off into a sopoliiic, candy
| pulling motion, he threw the ball to-
| ward The plate.
THE result was a slow rainbow
| throw. The S!ugger struck wildly at
| it, though he couldn't have reached
with ten-foot pole.
Again the pitcher went through his
preliminary gymnastics. This time it
was little dewdroop that didn't reach
the plate. But again the Slugger mad :.
vicious slam at it.
1.-Two strikes! said old Doc
Quackenbush, who was umpiring.
1.-The third ball didn't go within two
yards of the plate. But once more the
Slugger swiped at it.
Three strikes and outu pro-
nOunced the Doc.
Dean Bradley was at the bat. The
first ball pitched reached the catcher on
second bounce. The Dean swung at 1t
as If it were shoulder high.
What on earth are you striking
at?' shouted the Slugger. Keep your
eye on the ball!'
1.-Two more painful attempts to con-
meet with wild ones put the Dean out
on strikes.
What are you trying to do?' de-
manded the Slugger when Braley
reached the bench. Throw the Cameo
"'Well, I'll be hanged! exclaimed the
Slugger as Bull Thompson, who was at
the bat, slashed at 4 ball that went be-
hind him. Even the Bulls getting I'M
der the influence of that guys bug
house motions. There's sonnet hing I'M
canny about this
THE Lilies were so unnaryed that be-
fore they could settle down the Roarers
managed to pull in two runs in their
half of the first.
I'VE didn't even get a man on base
until the third. Stump Greenw God on
his third strike hit at such a wild one
that he managed to reach first before
the catcher could field him out.
"In the meantime Sammie Salmon
had been staring at Lem Malone with
a puzzled expression. Suddenly his
face lighted up.
II have it," he cried, Shaping his
knee.
I'VE all seem to have it, muttered
the Slugger, gloomily.
DO you remember that time Ring
Brothers circus was here?' asked Sam /
mic, eagerly. Well. do you remember, |
in the side show. Professor Van CALI
the mesmerist mug? Do you remem- |;
Der the motions he went through to get i
EN- under his influence? Look at that |
pitcher. His names no more Lem Ma !
lone than it is-well, If he couldn't get
me under his influence then I'll be
hanged if he can now. Where's my
bat?'
"'Well. I'll be teetotally horn
swoggled!' exclaimed the Slugger |
That is the professor. as sure as live. |
And Samnnie was the only man at the ,
circus he couldn't mesmeriZe'
''As Sanmie toed the plate the,
pitcher focused his fierce black lockers |
on him. Sammie gazed steadily back
at him.
THE pitcher began his motions.
Sammie only stared. The pitcher
seemed to be laboring under difficulties
His face grew red and the veins stood
out on mis- forehead. Sammie stared
harder. The pitcher groaned His
hands fell Imply to his sides.
"'Balk,' said old Doc Quackenbush
Stump Greenwood went down to
second.
THE pitcher nervOusly raised his
arms again. Sammie stared. Perspir-
alton broke out on the pitchers brow.
Again he groaned and dropped his
arms.
'Balk,' said the Doc.
stump Greenwood went to third.
1.-The pitcher halting,y raised his
arms once more and started his hither-
to deadly motions. But once more his
eye met Sammie's steady gaze and
again his arms fell to his sides.
"'BaIk.' sang out Doc for the. third
time. and Stump Greenwood logged
across the plate with the Lilies initial
tally.
THE pitcher who was now trembling
from head to foot, cast aside his motion
for the time being and gave Sammie
his base on balls.
THE same thing happened every sue
ceeding time that Salmon came to bat,
but as no other Lily was able to over
r.Ome the nrOfessor's mower there was y