Audubon County journal., 1911-06-01

an oath that made him turn pale as
he repeated it after me.
About an hour before train time
sneaked into the barber shop, and the
professor soon got busy on his job.
1T was matter of half an hour or so,
and l kept warning him against leav-
ing any traces of the original Anson.
When rose from the chair and
caught the first glimpse of myself IN
the glass saw that he had done as l
had requested him to do. My hair,
originally sort of carroty blond, had
been transformed into an inky purple,
with streaks here and there of what
appeared to be a muddy green. Some
Of the dye had adhered to the upper
part of my forehead, and the whole
effect was ridiculous In the extreme
"F1ne!" pronounced the professor,
enthusiastically. Your own father
wouldn't know you"
He was mistaken about that. Half
way between the barber shop and the
station l came face to face with the
old gentleman, and l saw at once by
the perplexed and Mortified look on
his face that he recognized me all
right.
What the - have you been doing
to yourself?" he demanded between
gasp and sputter.
The Jig was up 1 had to confess,
and the afterclap was both sudden
and decided Get home as quick as
you can. Don't let the grass grow un-
der your feet!" was the verdict
There was nothing to do but do, and
read me a lecture that | have never
forgotten. His manner was most dig
nified and kindly, but his words struck
home with lots of force. He pointed
out to me that my conduct was dis
honest and would be regarded SO by
the public. In fact, ne made me so
ashamed of myself that have been
pretty careful ever since to fight shy
of shady transactions. couldn't
help feeling sad over the $50 that
didn't get, but afterward, when | came
to think 1t all over, | was glad that
had failed. Getting rid Of that hair
dye and keeping the affair from be-
coming public property were altogeth-
er different matters.
l shall never forget my first expert
ence in my new position. l had been
at Rockford only day or so when
was ordered to report at the ball
grounds for practice. 1t was early in
the spring and so chilly that an over
coat was necessity. l found when I
reached the grounds that my ability
as a batsman was going to be tested.
and as l took my stand on the plate
shivered as though was coming
down with the ague. 1t wasn't all due
to the cold, either; stage fright was
responsible for part of 1t. Don't for
get. please. that was only big kid.
stranger In a strange land, and that
was so anxious to make first good
impression that ! was almost power.
less.
Facing me, with a sardonic look on
his weather beaten face, was "Chero-
kee' Fisher, a man of whom l had al
ways stood in the greatest awe, one of
the best of the old time underhand
pitchers. In the stand were the direct
ors Of the team, who were taking in
with an eagle eye my every move
ment. 1t was trying position for
greenhorn, and could feel my knees
knock together. l remember had
some trouble in picking out a bat that
suited me. was wondering all the
time whether or not l should be able
to hit the ball. Finally l gave the
signal to let her go and Fisher began
sending them in with his customary
speed.
began by letting a couple go by.
Then l sent one out into the right
field, and that first hit put me square
on my feet. After that batted Fisher
SO successfully that everybody was
satisfied and l was informed that l
would do. l didn't know 1t at the
time, but in after years learned that
the hit to the right field fence was
considered the proper caper.
My first game as a professional was
played on the Rockford grounds in
1871, our opponents being the Forest
City team of Cleveland. o., strong
organization that finished fourth that
season on the list for championship
honors, the Athletics of Philadelphia,
with whom was to play for the fol-
lowing four years, carrying off the
prize. | don't mind telling you that
when that game began l was fright
! ened almost out of my shoes. l had
been informed at the last minute that
owing to the non-arrival Of our regular