The evening world., 1913-01-18
THE PASTORS PINCH PLAY.
A Baseball Story by Bozeman Bulger..

novelty had worn OF, his mind beran
70 Got back to his one purpose In life
ne wanted to do something big and In
oasebaii he was beginning to see a
WORKING basis. The chance came in
the middle of an exciting gang played
In June.
The Sea Guils. the main contender,
TOT the pennsnt. hal been batting the
cray sox pitcher hard and II looked
as " II were only a question OF time
when they would drive him from the
mound.
In the last half Of the seventh they
got runners as far as second and third
with two out when Biff seaton. the
next batter. smashed = line drive
straight over second.
As the game was being played on the
Sea Gulls grounds. there was a roar
or Joy from the grand stand and bleach
ers' II looked impossible for Aristo
Atwood TO catch this slxsling smash
but he started for the ball with the
spring OF . cesr. For . moment his
thoughts Of uplifting the game were
forgotten. He was now In the grip Of
baseball and he made up his mind to
set that ball IL every muscle In his
body had to be torn out by the roots.
He was nix feet away when he saw
that the ball would strike the ground.
He divsd forward a. II shot from
catapult and stretched his full length
on the grass. The ball did strike the
ground and was . clean hit. though
nobody was sure OF II but Aristo. With
outstretched hands he trapped the
horsshlde" before II had got two inches
from the turf. Leaping to his feet he
held the ball high In the air. indicating
that he hadscaught II on the fly.
You're OUT" yelled the umpire. That
retired the side and the two runs could
not be counted. There was q violent
protest from the Sea 0ulls. but the um-
plre was Arm In his decision.
The Gray Sox outhelders tossed their
gloves on the grass and started for the
| edged alongside Aristo a. they walked
in.
Why. you big cheater" he said In q
half whisper. You know you didn't
catch that bail on the n.y. I saw It hit
the gnound. But you got away with Il.
Great work. Risty.'
Aristo did not even thank Sandy, but
walked on with his head down. His
conscience pricked him sharply. He had
acted lie and knew It. In . tense
moment he had pulled on an old trick
OF the game and had forgotten his feel
Ing against deceit.
80 you don't believe In tricks. eh7"
laughed one Of the thoughtiess young
players on the bench as Rsty took his
customary seat on the grass.
Let him alone" whispered the man
ager In alarm, but Arlsto had heard
the remark and II made him vince.
Cap" he said to the manager. did
you think l caught that ball on the
Sure" lied the manager. THE UNI.
pire saw the play all right. He knew
you caught it,
kind" was the emphatic reply. II acted
the part Of a lie. and I'm going to rec.
tify It. II hurts me to think that I
would he guilty Of such q trick"
What can you dor" several OF the
| players asked.
I'm going out there and tell the
umpire the truth. Then my conscience
| will be clear"
"You had better not n you don't want
10 get put out Of the game" advised
the manager.
What do you mean?"
Il mean that the Jump will can you
sure. lie will think that you are trying
to show him up. He believes he made
the right decision and n you told him
otherwise he would have to admit that
he called the play wrong. Save your
own feelings n you want to but never
show up an umpire
The umpire behind the plate heard
part of this conversation and turned
upon Aristo with such a glare that no
decided to postpone his confession,
After the game. though, he went to
that worthy official and told him the
truth.
We'll. what did YOU hold up the ball
for? asked the umpire. who was plain
ly irritated over having been fooled.
81 held II up awaiting your decision"
replied Artistic.
Outside with that stun" shifted the
arbiter. WHATS the use Of trying to lie
about a play after you've pulled IT.?
Trying to make a boob out OF me, EN-? -
Aristo turned away without replying.
lie was thoroughly disgusted. For try
ing to do the right thing and clear up
his conscience he had been insulted.
Don't worry about a little thing like
that" advised his friend O'TOoie as
they walked to the hotel that night.
He'll make a decision against you
pretty soon that will be wrong and that
will put YOU even"
Yes. but that won't clear my con-
science" insisted Aristo.
ITO Halifax with your conscience"
snorted O'Toole. This Amt no Con-