The Alaska citizen., 1914-12-21

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You amt going to lick me again"
Shade announced.
I'm not, hey? I'm going to lick
you within an inch of your life
Well see whether that meanness
will come out Of you or not. I'll
break your stubborn spirit. I'll
either take it out Of you Or"
He was rummaging behind a bar
rel for an ak handle. and in that
darted through the door. overturn-
Ing his dumfounded sire as be went,
and sped toward town. Behind him
his father ragged, but he did not pur-
sue far. for in respect to publicity
the elder Selman had the usual
villagers nice regard.
To the storekeeper Shade painted:
I'm going for keeps this time.
Uncle Ben. He'll kill me sure. If
he ever gets his hands on me after
this. pa will"
And Uncle Ben. after listening to
his recital, rejoined: ooh, it's too
bad. Shade; too bad Consarn,
knowed what would happen when
your pa married again. said so
to Mary Lou"
He showed irritability. for Uncle
Ben was debating a point which re-
quired prompt decision.
Well" he said at last, "if you've
got to go. you've got to go. But
be mighty careful Shade, boy. And.
listen-f you get into any jack pots,
YOU just let your OIL Uncle Ben
| Mind nnwf Iornf q
this."
Shades reluctant palm.
And, say"-the sacrifice made,
Uncle Ben passed with relief to a
subject he felt qualified to advise on
IF you should go to city and
any Teller steps up who makes out
like he knows you we'll and is an
OF friend Of the family, you just fix
your eye on him like this and say
Rats See! Just like this-'Rats!'
And he'll leave you be-"
Two weeks later. in the basement
Of the Hotel Arlington, at Tepid
Wells, Shade removed his apron
and took his cap from a nail in the
wall He was tired from a hard
day Of scrubbing and peeling vege-
tables and securing pots. Yet there
was flicker Of animation in him
as he extracted ball and glove from
an empty packing case. He called
out to the dshwasher: Meet you
outside, Andy"
Sure. Mike" yelled Andy from
abysmal depths beyond. "II be
through here in twenty minutes"
Shade waited in the lane back Of
the hotel until Andy joined him,
when he gravely surrendered the
glove to that flame-headed youth,
who took up crouching position,
with his hands on his knees, as the
receiving end OF the partnership, and
requested Shade to send him a hot
one. Shade sent him several, wind
ing up for his delivery with appal-
ling contortions.
"The Gamecocks," said Andy. "get
in tonight, Shade. Gee! Wonte;t
be great? Well be cleaning things
for 'em to eat. Think Of it! Say,
don't send 'em in so swift"
| But the news that the training sea-
son was on fired Shade. He deliv-
cred one with such speed that the
doughty Andy wavered, jumped aside,
and let 1t go by. The ball hit the
ground, about ten yards from the
mouth Of the lane. and caromed
straight into the ribs Of a stocky
individual who was passing along
the street to the hotel.
Hi" he cried sharply, clapping
a hand to his side.
ut was my fault, mister" piped
Andy. HE threw me hot one and
let it go by"
And then he almost collapsed,
suddenly recognizing the. stranger.
How often had Andy studied those
harsh lineaments in the sporting
pages Of the newspapers.
Excuse us, Mr.. Polk" he quav-
cred, Were sorry"
Polk! Standing back in the lane,
Shade started as from an electric
shock. Now he hurried forward
with solicitous anxiety. Could this
be Henry Polk, the Napoleon Of
baseball? Was this squat, square
shouldered, hard -jawed man the fam
Gus manager Of the Gamecocks?
I'VE sure didn't aim to do it,
he said fervently.
| you kids want to be more care
full" was the rueful response. There
that's all right. 1t only stung
some. Here. you-here's your ball"
He rubbed his side, and added:
Lets see you fling him one"
| Shades heart seemed to jump into
his throat. Fling one? He was
going to pitch under the eye Of
the grand mogul of balloon. For
a second he went weak, feeling a
trifls sick: then his pluck came to
his relief, and he gave hitch to
his belt.
As they stationed themselves: "No,
street" said Polk.
Whats the matter"
you get at the other end" he
commanded Andy. "I'd rather stand
behind the big kid here"
| The Gamecocks' manager did not
blink an eyelash at the first three
balls, but methodically chewed gum.
After the fourth he glanced sharply
at the youngster.
"Cut out all those false motions
in your wind-up" he said CURLY
For the fifth, Shade served up
the best he had, and his blood tingled
to the roots Of his fair when he
heard a soft whistle behind him.
whats your name?" demanded
Polk. Next: Where do you live?"
In the hotel" said Shade. But
just come. They've give a job
in the kitchen"
For a while the manager scanned
him obviously.
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