The Washington herald., 1915-04-11

became endowed with hendish pro-
pensity to run up players leg and
all about him, as if trying to hide in
his pocket. Grace's efforts to find it
were heartbreaking to watch. Every
time it BOUNDED out to center field,
which was of frequent occurrence.
Tom would fall on it and hug it as if
he were trying to capture fleeing
squirrel. Tay Tay Mohler could
stop the ball. but that was no great
credit to him, for his hands took no
part in the achievement. Tay Tay
was fat and the ball seemed to like
him. 1t doomed into his stomach
and banged against his stout legs:
When Tay saw it coming he dropped
on his knees and vigorously sacri-
ficed his anatomy to the cause OF the
game.
| Daddy tried not to notice the scor-
ing Of runs by his opponents. But he
had to see them and he had to count.
Ten runs were as ten blows! After
that each run scored was like stab
in his heart. The play went on. a
terrible fusillade of wicked ground
balls that baff1ed any attempt to field
them. Then, with nineteen runs
scored, Natchez appeared to tire.
Sam caught a foul fly, and Tay Tay,
| by obtruding his wide person to the
path of inheld hits managed to stop
them, and throw out the runners.
Score-Natchcz, Fl; Madden Hill,
Daddy's boys slouched and limped
YEARLY in.
"Wot kind of balls that" pant
ed Tom. as he showed his head with
a bruise as large as goose-egg.
"T-t-t-t-ta-ta-tay-tay- be-
gan Mohler, in great excitement, but
as he could not finish what he want
ed to say no one caught his meaning.
Daddy's watchful eye had never
left that wonderful, internal little
yarn ball. Daddy was crushed under
defeat, but his baseball brains still
continued to work. He saw Umpire
Gale leisurely step into the pitchers
box, and leisurely pick up the ball
and start to make motion to put 1t
in his pocket.
Suddenly fire flashed all over Dad
dy.
"Hyar! Don't hide that ballr' he
yelled, in his piercing tenor.
He jumped up quickly, forgetting
his crutch, and fell headlong. Lane
and Sam got him upright and handed
the crutch to him. Daddy began to
hobble out to the pitchers box.
Don't you hide that ball. Sec!
I've got my eye on this game. That
ball was in play, an you can't use
the other"
Umpire Gale looked sheepish, and
his eyes did not meet Daddy's. Then
30 came trotting I'D
Whats wrong, boss?" he asked.
cav, nuthin'. You're tryin' to
switch balls on me. That's all. You
can pull off any stunts on Mad
denis Hill"
"Why. boss. tibet balls all right.
What you hollerin' about"
Daddy. ITS a fine ball. An we
Bo fared up and tried to buster,
but Daddy cut him short
"Give us our innin'-let us git a |
off Madden's Hill"
Bo suddenly looked little pale
and sick.
Course youse can git whack at
it." he said, in a weak attempt to be |
natural and dignifed.
Daddy tossed the ball to Harris, |
and as he hobbled off the field he |
heard Bo calling out low and cau-
tiously to his players. Then Daddy |
was certain he had discovered a trick |
He called his players around him.
This game amt over yet. 1t amt |
any more'n begun. I'll tell you what. |
Last innin' Bo's umpire switched |
balls on us. That ball was lively. !
An they tried to switch back on me. |
But nix! We're goin' to git a chanst
to hit that lively ball An they're
goin' to git dose of their own medi- |
cine. Now, you dead ones-come
back to life! Show me some hittin'
an runnin'"
Daddy, you mean they run in a |
trick on u.s." demanded Lane, with |
flashing eyes.
Funny about Natchcz's strong fin
ishcs!" replied Daddy, coolly, as he
eyed his angry players.
They let out a roar, and then ran
for the bats.
The crowd. quick to sense what
was in the air, throngcd TO the dia- !
mond and manifested alarming signs
of outbreak.
Sam Wickhart leapcd to the plate |
and brandished his club.
Sam. let him pitch a couple"
called Daddy from the bench. "Meb-
be we'll git wise then"
Harris had pitched only twice |
when the fact became plain that he |
could not throw this ball with the |
same speed as the other The ball |
was heavier; besides Harris was also !
growing tired. The next pitch Sam
hit far out over the center felder's |
head for home run. 1t was a longer !
hit than any Madden's Hill boy had |
ever made. The crowd shriekcd its
delight. Sam crossed the plate and
then fell on the bench beside Daddy.
Say! that ball nearly knocked the !
bat out OF my hands," painted Sam.
at made the bat spring.
"Fellers. don't wait" ordered Dad
dy. Don't give the umpire chanst
to roast us now. Slam the first ballw
The aggressive captain lined the
ball at Bo Stranathan. The Natchez
shortstop had fine opportunity to
make the catch, but he made an in
glorious muff Tay Tay hurried to
bat. Umpire Gale called the first
pitch strike. Tay slammed down
his club. "T-t-t-t-ta-ta-twasn't over"
he cried. "T-t-t-tay-"
aSb,t ,oo ,,,fied D,IJ,, UNE.