Morris tribune., 1910-12-30

off by narrow margin. The other
! two batters fell victims to the ''loop
the loop" curve. and New York was
at the bat.
The fasteners could do nothing
whatever in their half. and the game
dragged along in the throes of a pitch
ers' battle between Cratheson and
Dwight.
The monotonous call of STRIKE"
ball" and other decisions by the de-
cider was beginning to tell on the
nerves of the strongest hearted roOters.
Heavy clouds were looming up in the
direction of the Palisades, and the
vast assemblage was beginning to
grow uneasy.
Big Dan was spelIbound. The rapid
ity of the game to him was amazing
Seven innings had been reeled off and
a look at his watch showed Big Dan
that only twenty-seven minutes of time
had elapsed.
A sudden roar from the eastern
crowd suddenly aroused Dan from his
lethargic reverie. A big, broad shoul-
dered batter was approaching the
plate. every step being marked by
cheers from his admirers.
Dyke Monlin" the entire assem-
blage yelled the name in concert.
And who is Dyke Monlin?" asked
Dan of the stranger.
Dyke? Why don't you know Dyke?
Dyke Monlin is the greatest pinch hit
ter and utility man in the world. He
broke up eight games last season by
hitting the bullseye in center field
and practically won the pennant for
his club"
This caused Dan to scan the field
more closely. Near the fence in cen
ter he espied huge target. In the
center was a big black hole about the
size of a derby hat. By a few care
fully guarded questions Dan ascertain
ed that this target was used as an ex-
ira incentive for long hits.
If ball struck the outer edge about
two feet from the center. an automat-
ic spring flashed huge placard bear
ing the number two on top of the
board. This indicated that the batter
had earned two bases. A drive a little
closer to the center and the figure
three was hoisted This meant three
bases. If the ball was driven sQuareIy
in the center a sky rocket was touched
off and a lifelike portrait of the pres
ident of the United States appeared
on top of the board. draped in small
American flags. This meant that the
batter was entitled to a home run as
well as medal of honor from the gov
ernment.
Zone striker rang out the automatic
caller.
1.-TWO strikes!" came before the echo
had hardly died out.
Then Monlin acted. Swinging from .
the hip he caught what Dwight called
his dead mans curve" squarely Oh
the nose, and the ball shot toward the
bullseye. 1t fell little short, how
ever. and dropped in the crowd, and
the umpire allowed but single Mon
lin had run to the right and was safe
ly perched on the bag.
At this moment the heavy clouds
grew black. and peals Of thunder again
warned the crowd of a coming storm.
There was a great scurry for cover,
and then the rain came down in tor
rents. A suspension of play was alb,
necessary. There was gloom
over the eastern side Of the field. 1t
began to look as if rain would rob
New York of victory. They had no
thought but that Monlin would score, |
and that would be the winning run.
Five minutes more and a glad shout
arose from the crowd in the club |
house. Rays of sunshine were trying |
to find their way through the dispers-
ing clouds. In two more minutes the
rain was over. and the flooded dia- !
mond was bathed in sunshine.