The Alaska citizen., 1914-12-21


you needn't wait. Beat il. kid I'll
be along soop."
| But Shade did not bulge. He
stood gazing at the first sacker with
such intensity Of pleading that Ruef
in anger Whirling upon him. he
Hill are you waiting for? Want a
drink? Here, Joe, fetch him some
soda pop!"
Joe's face was expressionless as
he polished the bar with a towel
He made no move toward the soda
pop.
mo, sir, don't" said Shade
Still he fingered. And still Ruef
hesitated to toss off the dram. al
though he could not himself have
explained why. His fingers ner-
vously gripping the glass: For two
pins I'd lick you within an inch Of
your life, Shade"
All the nervous tension and irri-
liability Of a weeks pent-up battle
with his craving found expression
in his voice. His eyes were glar-
ing, and the perspiration stood in
| pCduS VII anu UOucS
Shade did not quail; instead, the
others fury seemed to act as a
bracer to him, to give him poise.
You can beat me to death right
here on this spot. Mr.. Page" he said
simply, "if only you won't touch
that booze" And he meant 1t.
Joe gently rubbed the bar with
his towel. 1t was very much none
Of his business. but he hoped the big
guy would have sense and take the
kids advice-for he knew the type,
did the bartender.
A long minute Of scrutiny-he
was In two minds whether to fall
upon him fists and feet-then Page
swore and sent the glass crashing to
the far end Of the saloon.
Come on, them" he cried. strid-
ing out
Hey" yelled the bartender
None of that rough-house here.
you big stew"
Despite the disproportionate length
of his legs, Shade had much ado to
keep the first baseman in sight.
Page would not walk with him, but
struck straight for the hotel, there
to vent his rage on the quietly smil-
ing. unruffled, and thankful manager.
His anger against Shade endured
for three days, finding an outlet in
splenetic hostility to his presence.
If the boy came near him Ruef
would move away. Then, the crav-
ing passing, he grew selfcontained
rather ashamed-finally placid.
Say, KID" he called one after
noon, preliminary to warming-up,
come here!"
Shade crossed to him, stumbling
over his own toes with sheer joy
as he went. His features were dis
torted by foolish, propitiating grin.
Said the first baseman: Go and
get yourself new outfit. See?
Right from a hair cut to silk socks !"
/ Duly Shade opened his fingers
and looked at the crumpled bills
that had been forced on him. He
seemed almost ready to cry, but
stiffened pridefully.
mo, thanks" An interval to get
a grip on his tones, then: 81
couldn't take it, Mr. Page"
well" said Ruef, staring at him,
"In be eternally dinged!"
Upon that he sprang from the
bench and ran out to first base.
Later that afternoon he came to
Shade, squatting forlornly on the
grass, trying to rebuild certain shat
tered ideals. to remold his world.
Page had on catcher's mitt and
spat into it briskly.
| How" he inquired, would you
like to heave me few, Shade?"
Huh" The boy seemed unable
to comprehend the overture.
Chief tells me you can fling a
stable curve, Shade. Like to hand
me one? Perhaps could teach
you a few"
on the ball.
ITS shame to keep him fooling
around here, Henry"
"Whatll we do with him. then?
| He's only a kid"
Hes nineteen" Page retorted
land big for his age. To keep a boy
who can pitch like this kid can
carrying water and doing chores
why he struck Frank out twice
yesterday. He's got everything"
But experience" said the manag
err dryly.
He drummed on the arm Of his
chair with his fingers and eyed a
tall blond in slit skirt, who was
crossing the lobby.
THE woods down here are full
of EN- he murmured reflectively.
mot like Shade. they aren't! No,
street"
What? Who? Like Shade! Oh,
aye-of course not" Polk brought
his wandering attention to the sub
ject in hand. We'll, what would
you advise, Ruef?"
TRY him out in a bush league"
said the first baseman earnestly.
"Pick one you know-a manager
who'll keep an eye on him. Let him
learn"
Thus brought face to face with
problem that had vexed his soul
in secret for a twelfthmonth, the
manager fretfully showed back his
that and said: But he's lazy. He
worked all last winter driving one
Of STEERS grocery wagons across
the street. and Sitter tells me he
was asleep on the job about four out
of six months. 1t was the same the
winter before, when got him that
job as bell hop"
Ruef permitted himself a smile
of superior comprehension.
"Sure he was. And why! Be-
cause Shade is lazy at everything
but baseball tell you, Henry,
that boy was born for baseball-his