The San Francisco call., 1909-06-06


in their chairs in opposite cor
ners; for all the world like
two fstic persons and the s
only echo in the room from
their sketch. STEALING Home"
was the suggestion of mel
yody softly hummed by Mabel: M
Take me out to the ball
game. take me out TO the
park"
Though Mike. the California
ball player and heavy hitter
OF the New York Giants, had
stolen into the room craftily
after the act at the Orpheum
was over, he had not beaten
his somewhat diminutive wife
whose stage title is Mabel
Hite-by more than a minute
and half. There was a
shroud OF gloom over the tiny
apartment when 1 met the
soubrette and her husband.
On his face one could read
the words. Three strikes and
back to the bench for me-" A
pennant losing expression was
fixed on the countenance of
both. Never have ] encoun-
tered so much gloom in so
small a space and never have
/ seen so much detection @
without having to pay to wit q
ness it, The bali player who
is now a vaudeville artist
wanted to go and see the ..
game at Recreation park So did
his wife. They had made their
plans TO see the struggle. and
Jack Gleason, humoring their wish.
had done his best as a host. He
wanted to take care Of them at his
bean bag park. Outside Of the down
town vaudeville theater was an auto
mobile big enough to seat 20 of the
size Of Mabel Hite and 10 as big as
Donlin. It was chugging away much
gasoline while Sacramento and Oak
land gentlemen were discussing lthe
issues Of baseball out in Valencia
street Mr.. Donlin and his wife wanted
TO go, and Mr.. Jack Gleason assured
them that all was ready, but that the
game would be over in few minutes.
In other words, the interests of vaude-
vile and the devotion Of its stars,
Mabel Hite and Mike Donlin. to art
stood decidedly in the way of an after
noon game of baseball There was no
hope for tive would have to stick in,
the little dressing room and talk. Their
act at the Orpheum was over too late.
4 The game would be a finished score
sof s to in favor Of Sacramento be-
: fore ever we could get out to the
grounds, even though the boss thereof
was in the automobile urging the
driver to his best efforts to defy the
laws against fast driving. So Jack
Gleason and I remained in the dressing
room sf the vaudeville stars and COM
rniserated with them on the misfor-
+ tunes that overtake the successful
- IKE DONLIN has surprised all his
( An friends by making good" in
is well known; as a singer and dancer
there were doubts. He dissolved the
latter and showed at the Orpheum that
he was at home on the vaudeville stage
sust as much as he was easy and com
Portable out in the field for the Giants
: or at the bat with three men on bases
and tie game in the ninth inning.
7 Suu there were many. including Jack
NGleason. who wanted to see the big
ban player at Recreation park. Hence
the auto. hence myself and Gleason
and hence the gloom which shrouded
the two players in their dressing room
at the Orpheum. It was too late to
start. and the demands Of vaudeville
had once more interfered with the
claims Of interest and association.
ll~ URE. he VIII go back to the base
bali game" said Mabes Hite. after
"a long and solemn pause wherein
we ali sighed deeply and regretted the
fact that baseball games at Recreation
park and elsewhere are subject to the
aws OF time 1T would be stupid of
him 20 neglect his own means of live
lihood He'll go back to the game in
ume.7
! can not say just when it viii be-
clipped in Donlin. without enthusiasm.
4 am waiting to hear from the club"
You still belong to the Giants?" I
asked.
certainly 1 do" said he. but ! do
not know whether viii play with the
old guard next season or not I am
merely waiting for news. If I am
wanted, I will go. If I'm not, won't.
As a. matter Of fact, it is up to the club
They know what will go to work on
the diamond for, and if they want me
nd enough they know where they can
ma me. 1t is matter of money
~Of course" said Mrs. Donlin, look
ing UP from a letter which had just
been handed to her. and which she was
devoutly reading. I'VE are not at all
concerned whether Mr.. Donlin plays
next season or not I am going to
rrnrone after this engagement Is over