Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-06-18

it! 1 want to know"
I've told you"
"On the levelY
ION the level"
well, you're a bird, then. NoDody's
go. any strings on you? No contracts
lying around:"
Not the scratch Of a pen"
"All right. You're on
One thing more said Hogan. Il
would rather nothing was said about
the terms of this contract. If any
body asks you, my name is Hogan.
and I'm from-well, say Texas. That's
a big state. Family reasons. under
stand?"
IL won't say a word" promised Law
son. They'd probably think | was
crazy to give a mar a contract like
this. and they'd know you We're crazy
for signing it. I'm willing to make it
81 500 for the eason on a straight sal
afy basis, no matter how many games
you win or lose. Better think that
over again"
NO" said Hogan. 'Three thousand
or nothing. III take the chance, and
if 1 win the twenty games I won't be
robbing you of anything at that"
Il should say not"
Toward the end of August it was a
foregone conclusion that John ]. Ho-
gan would win his reckless gamble.
He had been one of the sensational
pitching discoveries of the year.
The first of September was at hand,
and Hogan had not drawn ii cent from
the club. though he had won sixteen
games and lost five. According to the
terms of the agreement. all of Hogan's
living expenses were paid by the club,
even when the team was playing at
home. His modest hotel bills were
forwarded to the management, and
Monk often wondered if the pitcher
spent anything at all upon amuse-
ments or if he had any money to spend.
The boy was always we'll dressed, and
his linen was fresh and clean. His
wardrobe showed no signs of parsi-
mony.
Lawson had often wondered about
this phase of the situation, and the
mystery was cleared up one evening
when the manager called upon Hogan
at his quarters in the hotel while the
team was at home. There were two
trunks in the room. one of them an
immense wardrobe affair, and the bu-
reau was Uttered with silver backed
toilet articles, none of which had ever
been cen on tour.
Lots Of class to you. kid" said
Monk. you've got enough silver
junk there to start a store"
I've been thinking of that" said
Hogan gravely. It's some l had
when I Joined the club. What did
you want to see me about"
That was always the way when
Lawson tried to dig into Hogan's mys-
ferrous. past. He ran his inquisitive
nose into a stone wall.
Business" said the manager briefly
you've got four more games to win
to get that three thousand, and a
month and a half to do it in. Just to
show you that Pm a good fellow, I'll
let you work twice against Henderson's
bunch this week. They're the softest
team in the league for you to beat"
That sounds good" said Hogan
wondering what was coming next.
And just as soon as you win your
twentieth game. kid" continued the
manager, you'll get the three thou.
sand. After that Pm going to put you
on a regular salary. That's fair
ain'tit?"
"Fairer than the contract" said 10.
gan, sitting on the edge of the bed
And mighty white Of you, Monk,
won't forget it."
yes" said Lawson. 81 was talking
with Mr.. Hagadorn the other day, and
he's tickled with the way you've been
going. He thought you ought to have
something beside the bonus, so the
soone you sc. in and grab it the bet
ter Off you'll be-"
Good again." said Hogan. But
what's this for, Monk? What's the
idea?"
II might have known / couldn't bull
you said the manager. Here's the
ace in the hole: You see, Hogan, that
contract calls for twenty winning
games. You remember you wouldn't
sign it any other way. According to
the agreement. you could run out on us
after you've won that money" He
looked shrewdly at the pitcher. who
made no sign. "Of course" he con.
tinued hurriedly, 81 told Mr.. Hagadorn
you wouldn't run out on the club.
told him you'd stick for the end of the
season."
"Why. certainly" said Hogan, iii
l won the bonus or lost it I'd stick
until the season Closes"
Monk drew a deep breath, and felt
in his coat pocket.
That's the way to TALK" he said
Now, I've got a next seasons con
tract here I'd like you to look over. II
calls for a salary
At this precise point the conference
wound up in a tangle. Hogan would
not commit himself. He said he did