The Washington times., 1907-12-23
HICKMAN WANTS
TO PLAY FIRST
FOR CLEVELAND
Leg in Shape for Regular
Job-Unique Record.
BY THOMAS S. RICE.

Charles Hickman. the eminent sales
man. stopped selling college ribbons 70
high school girls this morning at the
emporium he and Harry White run on
street. long enough to say that he
was well pleased with the idea of play
ing with the Cleveland club IN the
American League next season.
Mr.. Hickman has lovely manners both
on and of the baseball field. He has
never been known TO spike a second
sackcr or cuss under his breath at a
CiCcling female who examined all his
available stock Of goods and then an
uounced that she was only looking for
ideas and not for purchases. This
sweet disposition might lead some to
suppose the rising young merchant too
polite To make rude remarks on his
being sold as 4 mere chatteI by the
Chicago Americans. but in very truth
he is pleased.
Had Hard Luck.
Last season the embryo Marshall
EIold was put out Of business early by
an excited youth in Waco. Tex, who
colnded with him at first base. Wash
ington sold him TO Chicago as an emcr-
scncy hitter because of the precarious
prop developed by the Waco accident.
Being an enthusiastic. even IL non-prO-
fame, baseball player the chubby
Charles gricved at the idea Of sitting
On tie bench with a chance 10 pat
about once in ten days. on those spe-
,iaI occasions so great was the reputa-
ton of MS prOwess that the pitcher put
form his last remaining strength and
the emergency man naturally found il
hard 10 connect, although he did noble
service in a number Of such pinches.
With Cleveland our pillar of com
m-rcc expects 10 play every day. He
has ability and reports his legs in great
rnaDc which they have always been
for locks, and no longer mere ornaments
10 tho profession or reminders Of the
cay when tho present baby grand
had not come into use as music pro-
Queer.
Mr. Hickman has hopes cf landing a
fob at first In Cleveland and Of keeping
IL 10 the last. As an initial sacker he
displays most surprising aglHty Tor
man of his liberal lines How he can
DO this is as much OF a mystery as q
magazine poem, but he gets there Just
the same. He was making good at
TINS arduous occupation last summer
when the injured leg gave way, and his
activity was limited TO giving out CHEEKY
interviews. assuring the Washington
fans that the city had ball team which
was well worth seeing even IL 1t did
not win many games
Wonderful, Wonderful!
Mr.. Hickman holds what, in the opln-
ion of the Washington sporting editors.
is considered a worlds record. When
he left this city to join the Chicago
Sox he wrote each Of the sporting edi-
tors a letter thanking them for the
courtesy he had received at tho hands
of the newspapers, even In the dreaTy
days Of 1906. when he was the subject
or CODious cdustic comment, and e&-
tending assurances of esteemed coz
s!deratiOn-
such ar evidence Of appreciation Ia
d professional ball player was so as
tOunding that the said sporting editors
have occasionally TO dig up that historic
epistle and examine 10 over again 10
convince themselves IL IS not all an Idle
dream. like the fight fans hope that the
Philadelphia promoters would have de-
cency enough to keep Jack O'Brien out
OF the ring. so amazing perform
ance is worth cherishing and keeping
green in the public memory, wherefore
We publish herewith his picture again
that the readers OF The Times may
recognize this prodigy and gaze upon
him with proper awe. should fate pre-
sent the boon OF bringing him across
their line OT vision.