Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-10


QUEER BASE BALL GAME.
Tho stringtown Kids had a swim
ming hole. During the summer they
went in swimming as regularly as
they played base ball. Every town
ought to have a river or creek ad.
jacent SO "the kids" can "go swim
ming" Taking bath" is not to
be compared to going swimming"
tn average boy will grow wan and
sissified with baths in summer. but
thrive on going in swimming" even
In stagnant water, where mosquitoes.
pay respects to thor bare backs.
Skinny Cowles developed into an
expert diver; he could bring mud
from the bottom every time. while
Dumpy Richardson claimed he could
tread water.
1t was while the kids were disport-
ing themselves In the old swimming
hole that they had the adventure OF
the base ball game. Skinny aud Clar.
ence Scholes were sousing water over
each other in a contest that was chok-
ing them both, when. the boys were
astonishei to hear loud voice from
among the bushes on one side OF the
creek exclaim:
That's only the fifty.ninth strike!
Throw another"
Skinny and Clarence ceased their.
splashing and the boys listened
breathlessly In moment there step.
ped from behind the bushes man
dressed in a dirty-white base ball
suit. with a bat over his shoulder.
Seeing the boys, he called cheerfully:
tHi, there! Out that foolishness
and let's play ball.
Nobody answered. "Who is the
guy?" asked Clarence. in an under.
tone.
Acts like dippy Teller who.
broke out Of the asylum yesterday"
answered Skinny.
Seems to be good-natured," Dunn
py suggested.
The stranger on the bank regard
ed them patiently while they talked,
and now sung out again: We'll, are
You ready for the gamer"
Where's your team?" asked Clar-
ence.
Here
y don't see any one but yourself.
I'll have my team when you get
yours together"
Come on, fellows. let's play him."
urged Dumpy,Swading out and begin
ming to dress. Boys do not like to
'back out from challenge, and the
crowd followed suit. Their skirts
dragged on their dripping bodies, and
in spite of all they could do sand
and mud c,ung to their feet, but they
did quicker work in donniDg their
clothes than they were wont to do
of mornings. Then they crossed the
footlog to the bank on which the
sstranger stood. He had a bat and
ball, but no team was visible. Dumpy
asked the man, cautiously:
Where's your team?'
I'll play the whole bunch Of you
myself; but you must give me first
at bat"
Tho boys laughed at this. and were
quite willing to take their first "outs. :,
Finding some rocks. they quickly
made bases and formed a diamond.
and Skinny. giving his men their po-
sitions. took his place! in the pitch
er's box. At the home plate the
stranger waved his bat ludicrously.
missing the first ball thrown by a
wide margin
!IIll
Tho next ball he hit to right field
and started round the bases. Dutch
Duncan fielded the ball well and sent
1t to Clarence Scholes, who played
third base. Clarence caught 1t, and.
awaiting the furious rush of the stran.
ger. stepped aside and easily tagged
the runner out Instead Of stopping.
1 the fellow increased his pace till he
reached the home plate, SLIDING in
until cloud OF. dust was raised
Then. calmly picking up the bat, he
faced Skinny.
But you are out" demonstrated
Skinny.
Our team is allowed three outs,
isn't IT." ST.
Skinny laughed and assented. He
sent straight. swift ball, which the
stranger fouled. Dumpy, the catcher
ran under It and easily caught 1t.
Two outs on. u.s. mnttered the
stranger. and again faced the pitcher
Skinny first sent an inshoot, which
puzzled the batter. causing him to
fan the air. A slow drop was equal.
ly deceptive. and an outdrop was the
third strike and the third out.
Now my team is In bats yelled
skinny. ana the Toys ad ,ans ed to the
plate.
ooh. not yet. I've got another
strike coming replied the lone bat
ter.
But there were thee strikes ON
you.' insisted Pete Clemmons.
Il get ninety-seven more strikes"
declared the stranger. stoutly.
The boys laughed derisively. Phe
batter waved his stick and grew red
in the face.
An. ] know-you-you are trying
to cheat me. III see about thot."
He grabbed Dumpy with one arm
and Skinny with the other, threw
them to the ground, picked up the
club and waved 1T threateningly over
them. before he cou'd strike the 9th.
er boys russei to the assistance OF
their chums and free for-all fight
ensued. They had no doubt now that
ne was crazy The lunatic possessed
unusual strength, and soon he was
sitting on four of the boys and strik.
ing at the others with his bat
Here comes an auto." cried Clar-
ence Sch.les. Maybe they will help
Us. Help Help!" he screamed.
The stranger got hold Of Dumpy's
throat and was choking him. Then
heavy hand was laid on his shout
der and he turned around to see
man in white uniform.
Here. Hans, what a"e you dofng?.
said the newcomer.
stnb {o