Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-03

Little Sunset ls the name given % the
child. Gus BerEstrom. the heaviest inter
of o. , tbe lsasue,. makes 2 chgm Of "a h'm To-
understand baseball from the inside.
He demands share IN the post-season
The next year Rersstrom decides TO SO into
and and reports reports Tor Tor The nag aas-rSisins.
The swede plays well but automatically;
| While the Apaches are in run OF ead
SS While ~" "hi,tie % sunstt 1s Is SICK, Bergs,rom
| receives business letter and decides 60 90
Commits 2 qSTTf terrIbie t9 error P ctting in two
he then refuses to play and goes sv to S.sr, hls
ing himself called a renegade and also by
tho defeat Of his team.
Gus did not sleep well that night; he
blamed It on the excessive heat. lie re-
called scraps Of conversation he had had
during tho day. Every man had expressed
regret; none had congratulated him on ms
move He thought of the disgracetul
score by which the old CLUB had oeeh
beaten and of John Wesley and his fall-
ure to write n message which shouiu
explain matters. 1t was long, miserable
| night.
Bergstrom was up at sunrise. He was
| to be a business man now. He wanted
to see a piece of property some distance
outside the town Tho liveryman who
rented him a rig remarked that 1t was
going to be a very warm day.
But you won't care" said the man.
you don't have to put on uniform
and run around in the sum-
The farmer who owned the property
recognlzed Bergstrom and thereafter
could talk nothing but baseball He spoke
Of Bergstroms retirement as one men
tlonlng q national calamity. Gus decided
that the property did not suit him, and
hurried back to town, where he had an
appointment to take lunch with the presi-
dent and secretary OF the land company.
These men began to talk batting averages
with the cold consomme. Gus hdgeted
and squirmed, but there was no escape
for him.
81 bet you'd beat Potts last season."
said the secretary. Lets see, when you
quit the other day, you must have been
leading him by about 90 points. And
they're giving n fine diamond medal for
tho highest batting average this season
It's a dirty shame to toss OFT that medal;
you ought to have It,"
IL got too many medals now" said
Gus modestly. 'If that automobile con-
Germ takes all that river land, it ought
to boost the Valley Subdivision, eh?'
Eyes. indeedr" said the president. who
is the best pitcher In the league, Mr..
Bergstrom7"
Gus, answering in monosyllables. fought
his way through to the coffee, and ex-
cused himself, alleging an important en-
gagement.
The clerk at the hotel smiled the smile
reserved for visiting millionaires, and of
fered BerEstrom "a real cigar
I'D like to see the rest of that
seriesm said he cheerfully II suppose
when a fellow plays baseball for 10 or 10
wears, he gets SOS he never wants to
see another game as long as he lives"
Gus grunted and looked at his watch.
II would be two hours before the games
started The boys would be on their way
10 the park now-all but John Wesley.
He was sick.
The free man knew every move In the
afternoons program, and the knowledge
brought him no particular amount of
comfort. Perhaps nap
Bergstrom walked upstairs and entered
his room. After turning and twisting for
what seemed to be hours, Bergstrom
rose and looked at his watch.
Ten minutes to three! The boys would
be in the clubhouse now. 1t seemed to
Bergstrom that he could smell the lini-
ment and the alcohol and hear the men
growing at each other The Apaches
were not pleasant lot when they We're
losing.
The habits of Is years may not be cast
aside by an effort of the will. Gus Berg
strom had not taken this into considera-
ton, but he did know that the afternoons
were very long At last he slipped on his
coat and hurried down into the street.
They were Just beginning to post the
scores Of the games,
II was nearly dark when Bergstrom en-
tered the lobby OF the hotel A newsboy,
recognizing him. held up a moist page.
BOX scores, Mr.. Bergstroml" said he.
Full report OF all the gamesl"
Gus read the headlines;
APACHEs BLANKEDl
Indians, Demoralized. Now in Second
Place.
"Mr. Myers is here looking for you,"
said the clerk, Hes in the dining room.
Shall / have him called7"
"Not yet" said Bergstrom hastily. I'm |
going to take little walk"
Il see that that new left-hander didn't |
do thing TO your old team this after |
noon." said the friendly clerk Let EN- |
down with three hits. What's the matter |
with those fellows. anyway? They ain't |
playing their game"
Gus Bergstrom went out into the street
His legs took him in the direction OF the
railroad station. Searching for an ex-
cuse. he told himself that he would 60
over and explain matters 10 John Wes-
ley and see how the boy was getting |
along. IL would be like Brick Jones to
allow the little faller'' to suffer for lack
of attention.
After he had bought his ticket Gus
ielt better. The unrest and the discon-
tent passed away from him; he was at
peace. He did not analyze his mental
he was satisfied 10 believe
that Il was all because he was going
10 see John Wesley-and explain matters.
A freight engine, upended on the main
line delayed the Limited for several
hours, during which time a big square
shouldered passenger trsmped miles up
and down the roadbed beside the stalled
sxpTesJ
II beg pardon" said a nosey traveller.
Are you In trouble7"
III yust got a sick friend" answered
5ergstrom.
II was two-hftsen when Brick Jones
eft the room at the hotel.
Mind now, kid" said he, mo monkey
ousineEsl The doc says II you stay In the
lay this afternoon you can get out to-
Jaw, what does that doctor know?"
II Nv pPTCE9