Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-20

THE VOLUNTEER.

THE VOLUNTEER.
E. P. Mcdonald in the Detroit News.)
The Bugville team was surely up
against q rocky game:
The chances were they'd win de-
defeat and not undying fame:
Three men were hurt. and two
6 to 4;
They had to make three hard
earned runs in just three in
ningS more.
TT can't be DONE" the captain
said. q pallor on his face,
"Ive got two pitchers in the field.
a mutt on second base.
And should another man get spiked
or crippled in some way,
The team would surely be down
and out, with eight men left to
play.
Were up against 1t, anyhow. as far
as can see:
Ny boys amt hitting like they
should. and that's what wor-
ries me.
The luck is with the other side; no
pennant will we win.
It's mighty tough. but we must
take our medicine and grin"
The eighth round opened-one, two.
three-tho enemy went down,
The Bugville boys went out the
same-the captain wore a
frown.
The first half Of the ninth came
round, two mon had been put
out.
When Bugville's catcher broke q
thumb. and could not go the
route.
A deathly silence settled DER the
crowd assembled there,
Defeat would be allotted them, they
felt 1t in the air:
With only eight men In the field
twould be a gruesome fray.
Small wonder that the captain
cursed the day he learned to
play.
Lend me a man to finish WITH" he
begged the other team.
Lend you a man." the foe replied:
my boy. you're in q dream:
We came to win the pennant, too;
that's what we're doing here;
There's only one thing you can do
call for volunteer"
The captain stood and pondered In
listless sort Of way;
He never was q gutter and he
would not be today;
rs there within the grandstand
here" his voice rang loud and
clear.
"A man who has the sporting blood
to be a volunteer"
And again that awful silence set
tied DER the multitude:
Was there q man among them with
such recklessness imbued7
The captain stood with cap in hand.
while hopeless was his glance:
And then a short and stocky man
cried out, "I'll take a chance"
Into the field he bounded with step
both firm and light,
And calmly took his station in read
mess for fight.
THE game is now beyond recall:
I'll last at least round:
Although I'm ancient. you will find
me muscular and sound"
His hair was sprinkled here and
there with little streaks Of
gray;
Around his eyes and on his brow
bunch Of wrinkles lay.
The captain smiled. despairingly,
and slowly turned away.
When Hes all right" one rooter
yelled; another, Let him
"An right. go on" the captain
sighed; the stranger turned
around,
Took off his coat and collar.too. and
threw them on the ground.
The humor OF the situation seemed
to hit them all:
AS he donned the mask and mitt
the umpire yelled Play BALL"
Three balls the pitcher at him
heaved. three balls of light
ming speed.
The stranger caught them all with
ease and did not seem to heed;
Each ball had been pronounced a
strike, the side had been put
out,
And as he sauntered to the bench
he heard the rooters shout.
One Bugville boy went out on strikes
and one was killed at first;
The captain saw them fail to hit
and CRASHED his teeth and
cursed.
The third man smashed a double
and the fourth one swatted
clear.
Then. in a thunder of applause. I'D
came the volunteer.
His feet were planted In the earth.
he swung a warlike club;
The captain saw his awkward pose,
and softly whispered Dub"
Tho pitcher looked at him and
grinned. then heaved a mighty
ball.
The echo Of that fearful swat still
fingers with us ALL
High. fast and far the spheroid
flew; 1t sailed and sailed away:
It ne'er was found, SO it's supposed
It still floats on today.
Three runs came In. the pennant
would be Bugville's for a year.
The fans and players gathered
round to cheer the volunteer.
What is your name" the captain
asked. What is your manner"
cry all.
AS down his cheeks great tears OF
JOY were seen to run and fall.
For one brief moment he was still,
then murmured. soft and low: