The San Francisco call., 1910-01-01


ferent. For out where Frank lives. to
be prairie dog is great distinction.
1t means that you are a member of the
fastest nine in Prairie county under
16 years. It's official title is the Prai-
rie Blues, but it was nlcknamed the
Prairie Dogs. and the title has stuck;
SO wen call 1t that
Frank had not been one very long.
He did not play a steady enough game.
FIe batted fairly well, but helded poor
ly. This summer he had played sew
eral games before going to visit his
city cousin, Joe Fisher but had been
responsible for the loss of two of the
games by his punk" work and had
been dropped
The summer weeks passed and re-
ports began to come in about Franks
city baseball doings. Maybe you've
read about his baseball bulletin scheme
and other. adventures that grew out of
II. The boys aerial war had been
fought during the first lulu In the bull
lettn reporting, when the homes team
was out In this road and the bulletin
board was closed as a result. And
now I'm going to tell about the great
aerial baseball game Frank PLAYED
with the Prairie Dogs.
This happened during another lulI in
the bulletin business, when Frank and
Bill invited Joe Fisher to come back
from Joe's city home with them for a
short visit to the Williams farm.
Even with all Franks fame as a
baseball amusement exploiter 1 doubt
whether he would have been reinstalled
on the Prairie Dogs had he not had
another string to his bow"
Everybody for miles around knew of
Frank Williams through his great glide
in his glider, White Eagle when he
carried Henry Williams examination
papers over the flooded river. The feat
had been reported in the newspapers
and resulted in some unexpected and
very pleasant events. For instance
Frank received a polite letter from
George Rogers. the aeronaut, inviting
the boy to make an ascent in his dirig-
ible balloon with him at the Prairie
cosnty fair.
Franks father absolutely vetoed the
invitation. but allowed Frank to go
and make Mr.. Rogers acquaintance
The young man took a great fancy to
the boy. and they became great friends
And now I'll tell you the true reason
why Frank, the former Prairie Dog
returned to his old position In left field
AS a recognized and successful pro-
moter of sporting enterprises the
Prairie Dogs sought Franks advice on.
most important question. The nine
was anxious to build new clubhouse
and get an entirely new outfit of uni
forms. They had pull" enough to Sc
cure the regular playing field of the
state league professional team that
represented Prairieviile. They pro-
posed a great benefit game there, the
proceeds to go for the new equipment
etc.
But Morris Slater. the captain, was
doubtful as to the Prairie Dogs draw
ing power In town; for the game was
to be played at the county seat, Prairie
yille
Frank, IL you can think up scheme
to make the game draw. why, we'll put
you back on the team"
Now. down in his heart Frank had
felt deeply disgraced at being dropped
from the nine. Here was a chance TO
wipe out the blot Frank was not found
wanting in an idea. He went to Mr.
Rogers and asked him If he couldn't
help the Prairie Dogs out
The fair grounds are only a quarter
OF mile away from the ball park
and if you could pay us visit when
you ascend In the Flyover and do a
few stunts 1t would draw a big crowd"
urged Frank, who then explained what
the stunts" were to be.
The result of the interview must
have been favorable to Frank, for by
the next day some big posters were up
on the fences announcing the new and
startling feature of aerial baseball"
that was to be introduced for the first
time on any ball field through special
arrangement with the daring aeronaut
George Rogers, and his airship, the
Flyover.
Saturday the day of the epoch max
ing game found big crowd in the
stands even more eagerly awaiting the
appearance of the airship and its aerial
ball playing than they were to see the
Prairie Dogs play their great rivals, the
Monitors. Frank had rightly calculated
on the drawing powers of aerial base
ball
Here she comes! Hooray for the