Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-05

that he was going to do away with
some superfiuous clothes.
First he fooled around with the but
tons on the front Of his shirt, then
moved the sleeves up and down. Then
he took Off his cap. rearranged his hair
and put his cap on again. After that
he coyly tapped at his shoes with the
business end of the bat rapping each
side neatly four times.
He was a cautious player.
Say" said the opposing catcher IN
the midst of the din, "n you make all
that fuss"
The pinch hitter took his position.
poised lightly before the pitcher with
bat waving nervously around like the
antennae Of a giant butterfly.
The pitcher uncorked his delivery:
there was a flash of white, a vicious
swing. and the smash of the ball in
the catcher's glove.
Zone striker moaned the umpire, who
seemed to be getting tired.
Three balls were called in quick sue
cession. The pinch hitter smiled. And
while he was smiling the pitcher let an
other one loose at top speed right across
the plate.
Two strikes bawled the umpire.
The pinch hitter's face had an angry
glow. You could see he was going to
show that pitcher something. He did
He took third swipe which would have
knocked the ball over the fence II 1t had
touched it. tossed down his bat and
started toward the water bucket.
The opposing catcher bethought him
self of his earlier remark. 1t seemed ap-
propriate.
Say" he yelled, 'ff you make all that
fuss with your clothes when you strike
out: what do you do when you make
hit?'
The Man Who Could Manage Them
stirred restlessly in the grandstand HIS
advice had failed the team and he felt
that responsibility rested upon him to
0Gf 20 l{ah oil
HE shouldn't "a. struck out" was his
comment.
And it was while he was contemplate
ing this problem that the Observer was
was large-minded man. but he didn't
like base ball. Anybody could see that:
Nothing pleased him. And since base ball
is based the principle that one side
must succumb-hence enabling the other
side to win-the chronic knocker panned
the losers Unfortunately.
The home pitcher gave the first visitor
at bat in the seventh a base on balls.
Jaw. take him out!' moaned the chron-
&c knocker. Take him out! He's as wild
as a stable cat
The next visitor struck out.
THE boob" walled the chronic knoc 'er.
"Didja see what he swung at?''
A nervous little man sitting n It to him
ventured to demonstrate.
But we want to win - protested the
little man. That man is on the other
team
The chronic knocker bestowed upon him
look of utter contempt.
ANY bonehead knows that" he grum-
bled, but I wanta see some hittin'.
The shortstop of the home team made
stop back of second that brought whoop
of appreciation from the crowd.
Lucky stop!' howled the chronic
knocker. Lucky stop! Fell into it,"
The Observer decided to investigate the
case. 1t promised interesting develop
ments. Here was a man. apparently sane,
who was protected by the Constitution of
the United States. He had inalienable
right to life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness. He had paid real money in
order to suffer for two or three hours.
The Observer spoke to him.
This game does not appeal to you.
You have shown that. You cannot de-
ceive me- l know that you think those
players down there are a prize collection
of hams from the uttermost hinterland.
and that they all have harveyized steel
skulls inside of which their little brains,
for want of exercise, have atrophied. Am
I right?"
You are right said the chronic knock
er, heartily Mentally he elected the OBJ
server to the Knockers Club.
And continued the Observer. you
know that our pitcher has a glass arm
and the Businessman has a charleyhorse
and the catcher has to lift the ball over
the fence in order to get to first base.
Am l right?"
You seem to be man of discernment,'
admitted the knocker, grudgingly.
That" said the Observer, Leads me
to the point 1 had in mind. Why
do you come here and suffer? There
gallery and watch prominent persons
carved in the latest styles. have a speak
ing acquaintance with the coroner. who
will be glad to take you through ms
corpses If you want to be narrowed why
paw money? Why not
Even while the Observer was speaking
he noticed upon the face of the chronic
knocker a look of stupefied amazement-
the look that he might see or the face OF
a man who, having raised a snake from