The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-31

the rude little grandstand. and pair
of slender hands that applauded him
every time he came from the field. And
he was simple invincible. In all the nine
innings the Brooks team made but one
safe hit. and that was a scratch. the
final score standing five for the town
and naught for the coiicge And of the
towns five runs John made one run on
a long hit and daring Dase running. and
had batted in another. No wonder the
town boys took him up and carried him
on their shoulders while the townspeople
went quite daft over the result.
You see can play ball" he said to
Laura Haskell, as they strolled up to
road after the game she nae waited to
congratulate him. and it had seemed
quite natural for them to take the home
ward route together THAT is. when l
have the proper inspiration"
1T Is but one Of your accomplish
ments,' said Laura. ~ had another
letter from jamie yesterday and she in
closed one from Arthur There was A
little about you and your standings
and your prize grafton"
Bother Arthur" said John. and was
silent a moment. See here. Miss
Laura he presently cried. you've been
awfully good to me can't tell YOU
how much I have enjoyed your society.
And now I'm going to put myself under
obligations To you still more am 20
ing to ask you to help me to a decision.
j am going TO tell you that little secres
of when I spoke. May burden youc-'
Il am patiently listening" said the
girl.
1T oblges me TO talk about myself"
said john, and III do it as briefly a.
possible 1 am poor boy. that's true
enough. Life for me has meant hard
work and no holidays For a long time
all that 1 got out of it was bread ana
butter and a poor roof But I didn't
lose sight OF the fact that 1 must get
an education 1 worked my way through
school and into college. 1t meant many
sacrifices 1t meant constant self-de-
NAL But 1 didn't slip back Perhaps
You can imagine what a little moaey
meant to me--what it means ID me now.
Bear this in mind 1 go on. Last year
they cOaxed me to go into baseball.
This year 1 went on the field with an
established reputation as a player. NV
success drew the attention of the pro-
fessional managers They bid against
one another for me- They were impor-
tunate. They wanted me the moment I
left college. 1 realized what tbis meant
1t meant a complete change in all my
plans. 1t meant the sacrifice of my
dearest ambitions. 1t meant my asso-
citation with business that to me had
been only a pleasant relaxation. IL
meant more money than 1 had ever
dreamed OF earning" He paused and
moistened his lips. The highest bid
der, the manager of a great metropoi.
tan club, wants me to sign a two-year
contract to pitch for his team for $4,000
a year You can't realize what this
means TO boy who has rarely known
what it was TO have dollar ahead 1t
means afiuence. little work, and an
agreeable popularity. I promised to
send the manager definite answer on
the 6th-tomorrow. He paused again
There is no one, he said, with some
difficulty. whose opinion 1 value as
highly I do yours You understand
what I meant by saying I WIS running
away from myself. You understand the
temptation and the dilemma. Miss
Laura. will you tell me what TO do7'
She paused in the roadway and looked
at him steadily. Then she slowly shook
her head
NO. John Hanan,~ she said. very
softly. yet firmly. you must decide this
for yourself
But looking into the clear gray eyes
he seemed TO find sudden prompting.
II viii write to the manager tonight
he said. and tell him I cannot accept"
The girl quickly extended her slim
hand
That's what 1 expected from you."
she said.
And then he was suddenly buoyant
again. The load was of his mind.
I'VE are partners in this deal. you
know" he cried. Il am coming to con-
suit you about my future plans and
opportunities-and-and
Come to me after you graduate she
gently said
And there was something in her tone
that made him very happy.-Cleveland
Plain Dealer.