The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-10-16

Patrick, fouled out. Marlin, chow he
did it he doesn't know himself) con-
nected with one of Snider's "floaters,"
and, by the time the ball was returned
to the diamond, he was resting on
second base. Snider faced about and
regarded him with a panied express
sion. This reception to his pet ball
was not at all to his liking. How
ever, the third man to face him
proved an easy victim, and his weak
effort was taken care of by the player
guarding the initial sack
AS Snider raised his eyes to the
next batter, he found the huge Bick-
lay, backstop, glaring at him viciously
crouching low over the plate and
swinging an enormous bat-at least
to it seemed to Snider With sinking
heart, he realized that this particular
player welcomed anything offered.
Moreover, he had disconcerting way
of refusing to be walked, and, like
the Flying Dutchman of undying
fame, stepped into all kinds of wide
balls and Strengthened them out.
After puzzling over the situation a
few moments, Snider determined to
rely on his good fortune, that had
been with him for seven innings and
sent a low ball, with the speed of a
bullet, over the inside of the plate.
Buckley stepped back and met the
sphere on the end of his long bat,
putting into the blow all the strength
of his massive shoulders. Crack!
Snider turned around dispairingly and
watched the futile efforts of the
center fielder to arrest the meteoric
flight Of the ball. Marlin tailed, and
a moment later Buckley numbered over
the pan, credited with home run.
Unrestrained bedlam broke loose
among the ST. Patrick contingent.
Shrek upon Shrek of uproarious joy
was, sent aloft. Jubilant fans, with
tear-stained eyes, pounded one another
on the back, voicing unintelligible
assurances that Buckley was the whole
game. They were almost historical
in their rejoicing.
The tumult subsidized somewhat as
the pitcher struck out on three wide
throws. This retired the side with
the score to 0 in st. Patrick's favor
The st. Patrick fan, who had made
the assertion that Conway was in sore
straits that day, had not exaggerated
the true state of affairs. Three of his
hardest hitters were on the sick list;
and there were left to him just two
reserve players, one of these nursing
an exceedingly sore arm.
But Conway did not give up. That
was not his way. He entered into the
last half of the eighth inning fully de-
termined to overcome the lead gained
by his rivals. Fortune favored him
with a slight smile; and a base on
balls, in addition to two scratch hits,
gave ST. Andrew one run.
AS the st. Andrew team ran upon
the field for the last inning, the fans
thunderous cheers. They loudly ex-
horted their heroes to increase their
slender store of TALES and secure the
game without delay. They held up
to view the clarifying spectacle of the
pennant floating majestically over the
st. Patrick ball grounds, significant
in it's meaning of having vanquished
the invincible nine of st. Andrew.
Their urging was, however, unayail-
ing. st. Andrew seemed imbued with
new life and, apparently without any
exertion, retired their opponents in
one-two-three order.
Now the loyal rooters of st. Andrew
made the welkin ring as with deafen-
ing roars they stimulated their nine
to deeds of yalor. One little run was
all that was needed to tie the score,
and two tallies would give the con-
test and the pennant to St. Andrew,
where it rightfu1ly belonged. They
implored with hoarse shouts, calling
on each individual members of the
team to hearken to their pleading.
Conway, coming off the field with
his men, seated himself beside the
half-wit For the first time since the
beginning of the game, Joe showed
signs of life. Turning his pleading
eyes full upon the captain, he whis-
pered timidIy:
do you think you can give me
chance this inning, Mr.. Conway
Maybe; who knows?" Jack replied
banteringly, with an outward show of
ease, he did not feel by any means.
God bless you for those words,
Mr.. Conway" Joe breathed fervently;
"alI / want is one little chance. I'll
not throw you down. / haven't had
a trial all season. You know people
say I'm crazy, but if
There, there. That's all right, Joe,
Jack interrupted kindly. Wen see
how things run this half
He bent over the collection of bats
and picked out his favorite. Smith,
the shortstop, was at the plate and
Conway followed him in the batting
order.
The little shortstop was the best
walker in the league, and he had
a knack Of worrying the opposing
pitcher that would have made him a
valuable man In the big leagues.
Continued on page 10