Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-17

AT the beginning ol tne lourth ana
concluding inning the deputy sheriff
had come up with the prisoner. who
was not handcuffed. and they became
Interested onloo:ers. Coppcr'hwaits
nerve had been superb throughout the
trial, and he seemed to take an Intense
interest in the game.
Just after play had commenced
Hardy knocked a hot grounder to
"short," who ficlded the bail tiercely to
first base. Tie baseman caught it. put.
ting Hardy out and then quietly re-
marked:
THAT settles me! Look at this
thumbw
"See here, old man." Hardy painted.
examining It. Its broken"
"Well, never mind. Let somebody
take my place. Here, some one-you
Mulligan. Come and take the base.
I'm out of It."
"Guess not" said Mulligan, the
deputy. II ain't played ball since
"Go OH with the Gs:ne" cried dozen
others excitedly. Some one. any one'
take the base"
Here, Copperthwait, play first base.
We've only g)t to hold 'em down this
inning, and we'll beat 'em easy.
There's one out already"
Copperthwait looked uncertainty at
the deputy. then Mt the judge. and
quickly pulled of his coat and stepped
to the base. His face showed clearly
the prison pallor. and this warm sun
light and fresh air seemed wonderfully
sweet to his spirit. Taken suddenly
away from the active, vigorous life OF
the ranch, for seven months confined
In q dreary prison, the world had
seemed gradually to recede from his
life. This sudden contrast of green.
open field, ringing with the hearty
voices of his fellow men, and the
vision of the free, limitless prairie on
all sides was tragic one to the man.
He glanced ut the players about him,
pausing IN the game and thinking only
Of 1t.
Go ahead" he said quietly. "I'll
play"
The COmanches failed to make run
during the rest Of the inning, and
when the Sioux came In they made two
runs almost at once, tying the score,
amid great enthusiasm.
AS Copperthwait came to the bat II
was evident that the psychological mo-
meat of the sport had arrived. Every
thing had been completely forgotten
save the game, and SO intense was the
interest that the approach Of the court.
house janitor was entirely unnoticed.
He had come slowly down from the
steps and, after few moments OF
bewildered surprise, stood leaning
against tree near the catcher, watch
ing the prisoner as he slowly moved
the bat backward and forward over
the plate.
zone ballv' yelled Mr.. Hackett, mop
ping his neck with his handkerchief.
1.-TWO ballsw
"Strike onew
"Three balls!"
Crack!
The ball flew straight from the bat
high above the right fielder's head. and
Copperthwait was safe on second be-
fore the ball was fielded In.
The janitor began to grow very un
easy and edged slowly down the field
toward the first baseman. The crowd
yelled as Copperthwait, still painting
edged of toward third. Harvey turn
ed suddenly and tried to catch him
mapping, but in his excitement hi
threw little wild, the baseman missed
1t and Copperthwait reached third
amid much uproar. The Sioux were
all gathered now In a frantic cr0wt
between third and home, yelling lik'
their prototypes. and the Comanchei
were also noisy.
go II, Copperthwalt," shouted hi'
team mates. Get home and we'll VIII
the game! Steady, now! Look out
look out! Don't let them catch your
"Now. Hardy" plead Il the Judge