The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-08-16
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STERLING'S
STRATAGEM
By STACY E. BAKER


chance that YOU have been waiting
for, isn't it, dear? / just know that
it will be only a matter of months
before one of those National or
American league clubs will send
around for you to come and manage
them"
The youth smiled. "Not so soon,
GIRL" he protested. "l'll do well if ]
get into fast company in five years.
| have my stepping stones to greater
things in this Baneville team. This
is all ask-at present.
Fred Sterling, captain-manager Of
his college team the year before, had
created a sensation during his several
years in amateur athletics. A pitcher
of no mean ability, he had been Of
fered chances, time and again, to
sign with professional aggregations,
but he had remained an amateur I'M
til the completion of his course. Now
he aspired to greater things, and the
management of the Baneville Iron
and Oil league team had been offered
him. Upon his ability to make good
here rested his future in baseball.
He had confidence in himself. He
had no fear.
Sterling was doubly thankful to
be able to locate in Baneville; it was
his home town it was also the home
of his sweetheart. They were to be
married in the fall.
81 am glad" continued the pert
little maid, tripping so blithely along
beside the young ball player, 81 am
glad, not only for your sake, but for
the sake of Dave. This will give
him a chance to-what do you call
it?-'make good"
"Dave? Make good p" repeated
Sterling duly. "What do you mean
dear?" He ran his fingers through Q
shock of dark curly hair.
90, didn't you know? | thought
told YOU. Dave wants to become 6
ball player. As soon as / tell hin
YOU are to manage the home team
he will resign his position at tn
bank and prepare to help you out"
"He had better wait until he find
out whether he can make the team
or not" An ironic touch to thr
words brought a faint flush to III.
cheeks Of the girl by his side, an,
she turned to her escort.
Dave Hertig was her only brother
He was Younger than she and tn
baby of the family, every member o
which continually made sacrifices t.
make life more bearable to tho
young bank clerk.
"Sincc when has Dave become in
oculated with the baseball fever?'
asked Sterling, visions of trouble be.
| fore him.
"Oh, within the last week" Ami
grew enthusiastic. ''He pitches a bal
just splcndidly. Willie Jones can
catch it when he throws it fast"
A mind-picture of fourteen-year
old Willie Jones flashed for an in.
slant before Sterling. Remarkable
| again that subtle note of IRONY
ale may be coming wonder for al
we know"
"He does so WE'LL" continued thu
girl eagerly, "and l am sure he vii
want to help you win the pennant
Of course, you will give him the
place he likes best"
Sterling's resolute jaw would indi-
cate that he would be the sort of o
manager not to accede to the wants
of men until they proved themselves
but he was wise in his decision no.
TO mention this. "I'll see how he
works out" he said, and the subject
for the time being, was dropped.
Baneville had been at the bottom
Of the league list when the previous
season closed. Sterling had ambi-
tons. He wished to see the present
season produce pennant winner fol
| his own town.
| There was plenty of good material
to select from at the springs tryout
| Among those who strove to win &
lplace on the local team were earnest
eyed young athletes from all sections
of the state. Prospects indicated {
| fast nine.
| The first process of wedding on
was barely under Roadway before
Dave Hertig materialized, his tooth
pick legs sticking skinnily out from