The Alaska citizen., 1914-12-21

any cut sup. bCiolt ht IoulO
stammer his thanks the manager
had turned into the hotel
A job with the Gamecocks, In an
instant the great wide world had
changed-it was no longer cold and
drab and harsh. but warmly glow
ing, throbbing with hopes. To his
side tptoed Andy. stricken with
an overwhelming awe.
"Gee." he breathed You're a
lucky slob. Shade. It's like they'll
let you carry the bats some time
maybe"
Carry the bats, Shade INDUCED
in a plying smile. And his air was
insufferably complacent as he re-
piled, in an even tone: you amt
talking to me. Andy. Polk wants me
for the team. Not right away may
be-but later Yes, sir, I'll be a
Gamecock yet"
If Polk intended to put Shade on
the team, he certainly kept it a
secret.
You just hang round,' was his
order to the boy. Eve can use you
to run errands and the like"
To Shade the instructions seemed
incomplete. He dallied with his hat,
muttering something anent pay.
You'll be paid, all right" said
the amused manager. Ten a week "
Ten dollars a week! 1t sounded
like sinful riches to Shade, who
gagged money by Windy City stan
dards. Not a minute did he lose
in throwing up his job.
Don't quit till noon" his boss
besought him, in sore disappointment
Il was fixing to fire you then any
how"
And he was in an ill humor all
day because the boy had beaten him
to it. For Shade had exhibited the
same enthusiasm in peeling vege-
tables and scrubbing the floors as
he had in piling wood in his fathers
yard.
His mind amt on his dizziness
a-tall." the cook had reported.
The moment he joined the Game
cocks change was perceptible.
His mind became fixed on his bust
ness, engrossed in it to the exclu-
sion Of every other consideration
although his exact status with them
was first assistant to the water
carrier and general utility boy
The job marked an awakening
His listlessness vanished. Perhaps
the hookworm died; at any rate, he
no longer mooned around like one
with a grudge against mankind
The following Sunday he wrote
Of his good fortune to Uncle Ben,
v-{1,, lo
storekeeper would spread the glad
tidings to his parents ears. Not
that he wished to ease their anx-
iety, but to rub it in. And Uncle
Ben did his duty nobly He Dragged
to half the county about Shades
scale Of pay, so that before the
story of his achievements had gone
the rounds, the salary had leaped
to eighteen hundred year, and he
was one Of the mainstays of the
Gamecocks' pitching staff
Toward the members of the team
Shade displayed reverence that
would have amused them nightly
had it not been disconcerting-the
sort of reverence one gives to ma
tional heroes and presidents and
kings, and sometimes to holy things
"He gets my goat" confessed Ruef
Page, whom Shade had been dunn
bly, following around all morning like
a faithful dog Whatever the first
baseman might be doing, Shade was
certain to be near, staring Worship
fully. In fact, his admiration for
the star amounted to idolatry, and
Ruef grew self-conscious under it.
The boy was forever performing lit
tie acts Of thoughtful service
ITO live up to that kids idea Of
me, fellow would have to act
grand stand all the time" he rallied.
And l just can't do it. Gee! I've
got so I'm afraid to cuss out loud
when he's around, Polk. Say, it
must be fierce to be a king or a
guy like that-what?"
The manager regarded him
thoughtfully.
yes" he agreed, 81 suppose So"
But as he walked away he said to
himself: Maybe the kids a paying
proposition"
For his brilliant first sacker re-
quired constant surveillance Once
fairly launched into the season he
could be relied on to tread the
straight path Of his own accord, but
in the spring he was woefully prone
to slip and break training. And so,
during the months spent in Texas,
the manager had his weather eye
constantly cooked for symptoms and
was ever on the anxious seat
One day he called Shade to him
in the hotel.
where's Page?" he asked
"He done went to town about nine
O'Clock"
go and find him. And, listen
don't let him out Of your sight
Notice anything queer about Ruef
lately?"
The boy looked down at the floor
in confusion and traced the pattern
in the rug with his toe.
YES" he confessed, "he's been
frettin' some the last few days. 1t
looks like there's something on his
mind. Mr.. Polk"
There is" said the manager. "You
see II you can take it off. Find
him and bring him here"
Shade found him in front of the
Elk Horn saloon-alone, which in
itself was ominous-and Ruef was
smoking a cigar. He rolled it saw
|agely in his mouth as he stood on
the curb, glazing with hostile eyes
at everybody who passed. For
Page was fighting his fight, and
the grim internal struggle played
the devil with his nerves.
Just as the boy edged up to him
with the abashed. apologize man
nor no chnwod toward the team