Mexico weekly ledger., 1907-08-15
A Man OF no bad Habits and One
Tha. is Liked by All Who Know
Him-Has a Lovely Family
and Makes an Ideal Father
Wife an Athlete and Col
lsge Bred Woman.

this city "Our Jimmie" Is recogniz ed
as one Of the most gentlemanly Of the
professional ball PLAYERS led the writer
to get the opinion OF Wilbur Herschel
Williams, the well known Chicago
writer on this question.
Some eminently respectable peo-
pie believe that all professional base
ball players are stepped In lniquity."
said Herschel Williams, author Of
"Uncle Bob and Aunt Becky at the
St Louis exposition now in this city.
1.-THE average slave OF the diamond
may be lacking In morals, because the
great, sinful world makes 1t so allur-
ing for him TO be naughty; but there
are many of these professionals that
lead sober and upright lives.
my friend, Norman EIberfeld, the
star player of the New York team,
American league, is one Of the model
base ball players. Much notoriety
las been attached to him, not only
because Of his brilliant performance
on the field, but on account Of his
aggresiyeness and promptness to self
defend. Ii he had not been the pos
SCISSOR in q large degree Of these very
necessary qualities, he would not have
smashed the nose Of q certain Detroit
reporter, nor would be have strangled
q bulldog to death. 1t has been proven
however, that both these poor Great
ures deserved the punishment meted
out to them; for the reporter had mis-
quoted Elberfeld 50 grossly that, des-
pite bis married facial beauty, he after
wards humbly ~apologized, and the
bulldog was strangled because 1t was
mad. Learn from this mention OF
the dog and the reporter the possible
fate Of the vicious.
"Elberfeld has no bad habits. Al
though given luxurious apartments In
the Lexington hotel, Chicago, during
his last engagement In that city, be
spent most OF his time with old friends
who had outgrown the thirst for the
frivolous amenities OF life. Every
night at eleven found him in bis bed,
where he was rubbed and soothed into
~quiescence by the traiher, who always
occupies the same room with him.
Ana Indeed, poor little Elberfeld,a al
belt as cool and pluckyas a north pole
exploring party, needs the most care
full treatment. No one, TO see him
nimbly leaping about the field OF ac-
tion, would suspect that his agility
often caused him e~xcruciating pain,
which, however, Is secondary at the
time to the excitement that consumes
him. The cruel hob-nails Of his ad-
versaries leave ugly wounds on his
limbs, and bis arms and hands become
30 sore that be cannot participate In a
hand-shake. 1t is one Of the privileges
OF the professional player to main bis
antagonists. il possible provided he
does it in q nice, sneaking, gentleman
ly way-that is, in q way that will not
be noticed by the ladies in the grand
stand. Elberfeld never complains at
the sly thrusts and malicious kicks
that constitute his share, but calmly
bides his time to get even.
ut may be interesting for you to
know something about Elberfeld's
home life. He saves nearly all OF his
big salary, and has bought him a farm
Just outside OF New York City, over
looking the palisades Of the Hudson.
One OF bis strong and well defined
ambitions is to retire there when he
has outlived his days Of usefulness up
on the diamond. He takes the keen
est pleasure in improving his ideal
tract Of land, and is now ~perfecting
plans for . house which is to be made
OF boulders.
Fortunate, indeed, was this brave
hero OF the rooters when be married a
coliege-bred woman who shares all his
dreams Of future U~topianism. She,
too, is an athlete and a daring horse
woman who fears nothing but a soli-
tary balky mule,a veritable "Hee-haw
Maud" that occupies a place OF i'm
portance on the Elberfeld farm.
"Elberfeld has educated one OF his
brothers in the ministry and mas plan
ned to educate his children to the
best OF his ability. 1t is his supreme
desiIe that all his future male heirs
shall dislike base ball as a profession
and shall choose vacations Of the
highest dignity. His wife intends to
teach her children, probably until
they are ready for the high school.
-Four bright and pretty little ones
bless their happy household. AL
though quite young, they are carefully
disciplined. Each day the older ones
take vigorous exercise at the appoint
ed time, and as 9 result they have
healthy, rugged little bodies that give
TO the fond parents opportunity for
hours Of mutual congratulation. While
travelling, the father Of this animated
|quartette occasionally voices his ap-
prehension that their indulgent bach
elor uncle is sur 10 spoil them and
might possibly break the rules that be
has strlyen 50 hard 70 maintain. For
example, when the youngsters have
had their after-supper romp and
should be in their beds, it frequently
happens that they cajOle their uncle
into permitting them to hear his
"phomy graps'' or into telling them
the bracing tale Of civilian Hotel.
The devotion that exists between
Mr.. and Mrs. Elberfeld is another
beautiful illustration OF the Basque
saying that, with the advent Of each
child into the home, the love which
the parents entertain for each other
becomes ripper and fuller. Grace
Elberfeld has crossed the continent TO
for her husband during severe ILL
ness and is always prepared 10 DO so
gain, should be need her services.
Like her husband she shares the
anne rigidyieBs Of the ethical code. It
S well known that Elberfeld will not
20 TO any drama or opera In which