Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-08
A PENNANT AND A PENANCE
Rev. Mr.. Todd Becomes "Kid" Todd the Result of
Short but Effective Fistc Encounter With Nipper
Canby the Demon of the Terrors
By CHARLES E. VAN LOAN
The Worlds Most Famous Writer of Baseball Fiction.

I a mouthful of blood, and in this process
his exploring tongue came upon the
wreck of some expensive dentistry.
| David McKinstry Todd arose and ad-
! dressed himself to the attentive athletes.
"I didn't come here to preach to you
fellows. I came here to play ball. Some
| of you don't seem to want to let me.
| You've been trying to find out II
would fight. I might as we'll do the
whole thing at once, and have 1t over
with. Is there anybody here who wants
to take Canby's end of this-contro-
versy?"
There was a breathless pause, broken
at last by murmurs OF admiration.
All right" said Todd Everybody
happy. Now let's have a rest on this
preacher question:
There was no demonstration. No
body offered to shake hands or pat
| Davey Todd on the back The Terrors
were not built that way, but from that
day dated Todd's standing and full mem
| bership. He became kid" Todd. and
the word, preacher" was not again used
in his presence. -
1t was week or 10 days before Candy
| opened his mouth to the shortstop. save
in the way of business One afternoon
Todd was crossing the field before the
game, and Candy came up behind him.
say hoy" remarked the second base
man, the dentist says it'll nick me 50
Deans 10 get that bridge fixed up again"
That's too bad" said Todd. ''Tm
sorry"
'so'm I, kid" said Candy, with a grin.
II made a darn fool of myself. It was
comm to me-"
That was all he said, then or thereafter.
but 1t was enough to establish cordial
relations between the men, and before
the season was out the profane Candy
was Todds warmest friend. The young-
ster had to fight for his spurs, but he
won them fairly.
quite naturally there were Soma In
Pleasanton, the town in which the Todds
llVed, who were very much shocked 10
hear that Davey Todd chad gone and
Joined baseball gang" These, mostly
old ladies, thought that the boy should
nave remembered his sainted father The
unregenerate in the village-largely out
numbering the others-were sWelled with
pride at Davey's achievements. and sub
scribed to sporting weekies in order that
they might follow the trail of his mighty
Dat throughout the season. His batting
average was q matter of civic pride and
Mrs. Todd was often congratulated by
people with whom che had but a bow
ing acquaintance.
That worthy woman never expressed IN
opinion upon the subject of the profession
which her son had chosen. She read his
letters carefully. and having great con-
his statement that he was using a means
to an end. The girls were not pleased;
but Jennie, who was of a practical turn
or mind. counted the dollars, and
estimated the earning capacity of several
OF the successful young men whom she
knew, comparing their incomes with
Dawes salary check. After that there
seemed TO be nothing to say.
When his first season wes over, David
hurried nome, and narrowly escaped
serenade by the Pleasanton Silver Har-
mony Band.
The boy was trim and brown, and In
what the fighters call the pink OF conSt-
ton-whatever that may be. He had re-
FUSED TO sign contract for the next
season, explaining to MacNabb that he
had not settled in his own mind whether
or not to continue his big-league career.
Pete. who was wiser than he looked
realized that the boy was not PLAYING for
more money and that he might not re-
turn The old manager had come TO know
that Dave Todd never spoke anything but
Hell be going back home 20 sea vh.,
he can pick up around there" thoueht
MacNabb. well, I'll give him time -
| look over the field" "
me crafty manager was right. Dav,a
canVassed him home town thoroust,,.r a.
search OF work. The best offer he -.
ceiveo was $50 a month, offered him Nv
Aoe 1oiostein, OF the Pieasanton Gents,
rurhlshnss Emporium. Abe was smart
enough 70 know that q biR-leaFus hi,
player would bring the young n,sn -
ths town into his place. -
Ahst meant sizO year-for selling nacLr-
ues oS weeks on end. While David ws.
turning II over and over in HIS mind 80
"vnuerihs what he should do there csros