Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-13

his grip" painted the boy. said good by
to everybody before he went, and opened
bottle of wine for the owner Of the
place, Yes, he's gone, all right"
Gone! repeated Merry. why. where
could he 90 to? He didn't have any money
to speak Of, and it's long way back to
Iowa. Gone! Why the poor, miserable
chump will starvel"
yes. and he's gone with our luckr'
lamented Slade. who had been the first
man on the team to recognize Boots won
derful powers as n mascot.
Forget it!' snapped the little manager,
We've got this pennant pretty near
sewed up for keeps and I guess we can
go the rest of the way without depending
on bug like the major. Quit thinking
about luck. and play ballr'
But at the same time Merry's heart was
troubled In a way he had become at
tached to his gentle, simple-minded pro-
tege, and more than once that afternoon,
\ while hopping about in the coacher's box,
| he found himself wondering what had be-
| come OF Major Boots, the official jnx TO
| the opposition, and the best home team
| mascot on record. More than once that
evening he thought of the major sitting
on the bench, with his head in his hands.
IF had kept him out of the box"
though Merry, with regret, this thing
wouldn't have happened. That's a cinch!'
( That season the Dudes, with the PEN
nant cinched beyond possibility of mis-
adventure, made flying trip to Chicago
to play two games just before the close
of the annual schedule.
AS the little manager paused at the
desk in the hotel, the clerk handed him
an envelope. 1t was marked "Private
and Important" Johnny retired TO a
corner and broke the seal. The mes
sage was short, but intensely interesting.
Mr. John Merry.
Dear Sir-If you would like to know
what became OF your mascot, Mr.. A. A.
Ziegler. of Dexter, Iowa, otherwise known
as Major Boots come to Hotel La Sale
at $3.50 this evening and ask for Phllip
Warburton. There will be a little dinner,
and 1 believe 1 can promise you some
thing in the nature of a genuine sur
prise, Very truly yours,
PHILIP WARBURTON.
Merry rubbed his chin.
I'll be there" he said, with bells onl"
The hall boy raped on the door, a
voice answered and Merry entered a
luxurious apartment, in which two young
men were smoking. Through half-drawn
curtains Merry caught flash of white
and silver and smelled flowers.
"A banquet!'' he thought. "Why didn't
wear my moonlights?"
The young men were In dinner Jackets
and one of them, rather short, fat and
good-natured in appearance. rose at once
and offered his hand.
''Mr. Merry" ne said, my name Is
Warburton, You do not know me, but
feel that know you, having been a
baseball fan for the last Is years This
Is my friend. Mr. George Holllster."
Merry shook hands, removed his coat.
accepted a cigar, commented upon the
weather, and sat down, wondering what
in the world was coming next.
II suppose / have aroused your curl
osity somewhat" said Warburton. 1--WE
are waiting for the fourth guest, and as
soon as he arrives / promise to explain |
matters. In the meantime" Mr.. War
burton tapped a small bell, and a young |
man appeared.
Cocktails, Frank" said Warburton. |
What will you have. Mr. Merry?"
When the glasses arrived and the bev- |
erages were poured from silver shakers, |
the men arose, and Warburton lifted his |
glass in the air.
Here's TO you, Mr. Merryr' he said. /
ITO you and your club!"
Johnny thanked him. and was Just rails
ing his glass TO his lips when there came |
hurried rap at the door 1t opene;d |
suddenly, and tall young man, Ia an |
oyereoat and silk hat, stepped hastily |
into the room.
Il know I'm late, Phil" said the new.
someri but r."
CONTINUED ToMoRRow)