The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-05-18

himself than he told them There was
certainly a fascination In the man she
could not account for. When listening
to what he said she felt lifted into a
different atmosphere. At times be
would chat with her about the poll
tics Of their native land. but no sooner
had he interested her In the subject
than he would skim away like bird
to ancient Greece, Rome or Egypt
Meanwhile the competing clubs were
making up and practicing. Paddock
had selected the better team, and VIII
kins, who knew his enemy's strength
and the weakness Of several of his
own men. was feeling very much dis
couraged. But during the term Of
practice the Ringold team had a streak
of bad luck First their best infielder
was hit in the face by ball and In
capacitated, then their next strongest
man fell and broke his leg, and lastly
their pitcher was taken down with ty-
month the Ringolds were reduced from
the better to far inferior team.
"Why don't you try Courtenay"
asked a man who was sympathizing
with Captain Paddock.
What! That Miss Nancy? What
could he do at baseball? He'd be ali
right for tiddledewinks. but baseball
never
you can at least try him In prac-
tice game
YES can do that. But what's the
use? 1t would be time lost"
Paddock's friend insisted, and Cour
tenay was invited to show what he
could do. He accepted the invitation.
What he did on the diamond was kept
secret But on the day of the game
when the Ringold team was walking
out on to the oval BERTHE. conspicuous
In IA crimson silk handkerchief around
his neck, was among them. wilkins
remarked him with unconeealed as
constituent
"Greai Scott" be exclaimed rs
that all they could do In making up
their deficiency? We've got them
sure"
The game opened with ineonspicuous
play on the part of the Ringoid team.
which had the inning. till II came
Courtenay,s turn at the bat. The
first ball sent him he knocked straight
up in the air. dropped the bat and
walked leisurely around the bases
Every MIN of the opposing team stood
looking up tor the bnll to come down
but either II did nat come down or II
II did 1t landed IN some other place.
Courtenay completed his walk. aud
every one looked myslitied Some
maintained thai the ball had gone
far OUT of bounds. but the majority
declared thai il had gone up in u
straight tine and should have fallen
on the plate
After ten minutes spent in bunting
all over the field for Ii the hit was
declared foul. The next ball received
by Courtenay he sent diagonally into
the corner OF the fence inclosing the
field and again began his walk around
the bases. completing It before the ball
was found.
During the game Captain Paddock
put the substitute into various posi-
tons, and he did az well In one as In
another He would catch ball wheth-
er It came down I'm curve or whether
1t was sent from the bat In line par
allel to the ground When he pitched
the batter never touched the ball.
When behind the batter no pitcher
could give n ball that he could not
catch He declined to use body
protector; indeed. there seemed nj
need for one. since he could catch any
ball
When the game was over the Kin
Colds Ind scored largely. while thu
! Rosiyns had made but three or fou
runs. Courtenay had carried the gam,
OH his shoulders. and thut without any
apparent effort He had made bu
few runs himself. and then II seemed
that he had been shot out Of "A gun
The Ringolds wanted to take him uI
on their shoulders and carry hin
around the oval but he protested 50
| firmly that they dcSiSted.
/
Courtenay was last seen. with the
others walking toward the dressing
rooms No one could say that he had
seen him there or seen him leave
there. Some Thought that he had tax
en- train that passed about the time
the game was over and gone to his
home, wherever that WIS Neverthe-
less the fact remains that without a
word OF farewell to any one he left
the oval aud the town.
Months afterward Kate Hathaway
met II student OF university. to
whom she told the story Of Albert
Courtenay.
"Oh. know who that Is. He's AID
Srichton.'
"And who is Ad Criehton?'
so called from the Admirable Crich'
ton who lived In the sixteenth cen
fury. He knew everything. beat every
one at any sort Of exercise and spoke
ten different languages Comtenay is
his counterpart. He's II queer duck,
He's che wonder of our college"
Kate married Charlie wilkins.