Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
Won Der Abe and Latham.


Tho news that has just been spread
broadcast over the land of the bank
ruptcy- of Chris Won Der Abe, the one
tine owner OF the 81. Louis National
team. brings once again into the lime
light of public notice this good-hearted.
though highly eccentric. old German.
When Chris was running the club in ST
Louis man then in the public eye re-
Ceived half of the free advertising tha'
Won Der Abe did. He was fruitful SUD
jet a. all times for the sporting writer's
and though much of the notice he re-
ceived AT the hands of the scribes was
not Of nature 20 make a man puffed
up. vet IL can be- said to the credit of the
eccentric German magflate that he never
tired tn cause trouble for any one.
Won Der Abe. who talked like a como
dian Of tho Weber & Fields type had
IL volcanic temper. and he would go up
in the air on the slightest oroVocation.
His hall players Wore the bane or ms
life He had bard OF Indians working
for Him who. when they got their wal
paint on would have made Sitting Bull
and his warriors resemble the infant
class in any weIl-conductcd Sunday school
Alie Latham. who was a crack third
baseman. Il steady batter and perhaps
the trickiest man al stealing bases that
tho game has ever produced. was the rec
ognized hunorist OF ma jor league ball IN
his day, and the jokes and gags he USED
10 WOrE at Won Der AnS - eNpcllSt'
were the talk of tine newSDa per wori1
though Chris would get roaring mad
with -\rle. vet down In his kind old heart
he cherished a genuine affection for the
gay cut-up. and twas said at the time
that Latham was The closest confldant
that Chris had. But Arlie with his ready
reparjec. used to Sorely try the patience
al his employer
one morning Chris came out To the ball
grounds. and when he approached the
Ir,<r
selves i'll front of the clubhouse it was
seen that he was in IA terrible state Of eX-
element. Coming I'D to where Latham
was sitting. Chris asked. i'll voice that
fairly trembed with anger:
Say Airlie I.addarn. did You hear
about mine brudder's robbery"
Why, no. Chris. replied Latham. as
his face took on decided look OF inter-
est. Whom did he rob-"
The next moment Arlie was heading
for the exit gate. with Chris a poor sec
ono in the race, but Il willing worker just
the same.
mother time. and on an afternoon
when it looked as if rain might be soon
due. the ST. Louis fellows were out on the
clubhouse steps. when Latham turned to
the pitcher. silver King and remarked:
Gee. I wish it would rain this evening
80 We wouldn't have to play ball
And just at that moment Chris Won Der
Ahe stuck his head out of the clubhouse
door. and in shrieking tones asked:
Vat VOS dot YOU wish for Arlie Lad
DAM
why. | said that I hoped that ii would
not rain this afternoon, Chris. as I feel
like playing d great game of ball" re-
piled Latham glibly.
Dot vos lie shouted Chris: YOU
wished for rain. Airlie Laddam and if
rain come you vos fined $40 for Your
wish Der idea of You Wishing der money
out of mine pockets" went on the angry
Won Der Abe: but I will see der day
ven yOu tam pail players Will he glad TO
get pread und putter vidout any putter
on IT." added Chris. with an angry snort
ana then because Latham rolled on the
ground in merriment over the Dutchman's
bad break Chris fined him 81 for Con
duct unbecoming d bail player ana gen.
tleman''