Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-02

that; but this time, Dick, i've dug up
man worth hollering about, and don
care II he is a coon, say he's the Brea'
est second baseman in America today
bar nobodyw
Dick Kelly, manager OF the Orphans
listened to the impassloned statement 0
his old scout with tho trace OF a gri
on his face. Never before had he seel
the veteran $50 worked up" as n
would have expressed It.
"But don't you see. 5oey." remarke'
Kelly, that II wouldn't make any diner
ence how good he is? He might be IA
and away the best second baseman Il
| the world, but his color bars him. HI
can't get in. A Niger on big-leagu'
ball club7 Wake up. Joey. wake up
"Dick," said the scout, with ominou
politeness, ARE you a-goin' to listen q
me or not? Who was It that went ou
In the bushes and got 'Spllnt' MacLean'
Who was It went down into the jungle'
and came back with 'Boneface' Harmoni
Hey7"
"You did t." said Kelly solemnly
"Tve always said you could fall in a
sewer and come out with ball player
in each hand"
Bostwick shifted scornfully this
veiled reference to luck.
Ibid suggest your getting this coon
on the club-as a coon?" demanded Bost-
wick. "Of course noti You make me
tired. When It comes to jumpin' at con-
clusions, you're the greatest lepper that
ever come out of ireland. Listen now
till tell you. It was out in Lima, Ohio.
that saw this bird-his names Buckner,
and they call him Bud for Shorthand
he was with a coon team that was tour
ing around the country In private car,
meeting all comers. The minute l saw
this Buckner In action, It hit me that
there was class sticking out all over him
good enough, just as he is, to play on
any club in the country. Dick, give
you my word he covers that infleld like
carpet and when it comes to getting
the ball on a runner, he's all
"You said all that before. joey" said
Kelly. Whats the use in going all over
the ground again? He's coon. and that
let's him out" Kelly snapped his fingers
as II dismissing the subject into thin air.
joey Bostwick fairly wriggled with Inn
patience, indignation and other unholy
emotions
Cant you waltz" he cried. I'm no
fooll I know you can't get coon on
a club in this or any other league. but
you tell me now, is there any law against
your playing a Mexican?"
"A wnaLI' QeTndnueQ LICK hellyB bui
prised In spite of himself.
"a Mexican" answered the old man.
"I'll spell It for you IL you want me
to. guess there amt anybody in this
league would raise any objections to play
Ing baseball with a high-class Mexican,
II he was we'll advertised as such, eh?"
Kelly lowered the front legs of his chair
to the floor. and tipped away his cigar
end.
Joe" he asked. what are you get
ting at, anyway"
Just this" said BostwiclS: 1--WE could
pass this fellow Buckner off as a Mexi
can as easy as rollin' Off a log"
"Go 'wayl" said the manager. why,
l MeXican's hair is straight. and"
Are you going to let me finish or not?'
1owled Bostwick. That's you all over,
Dick setting in your stack before the
,ards are dealt! Now, keep your shirt |
IN and listen to me a minute. I went |
lown TO that private car. and had a |
ak with this Buckner. II he'd been made
% order for the part he wouldn't At IN |
my better. In the first place. he amt |
10 black as he might be-sort of a nice |
mooth coffee color. In the second place, |
IFS hair is nearly as straight as yours
What you've got left. Only the least bit |
II wave to 1t. He's a right handsome
ooking fellow. Once in a while you see
EN- like that. First I was thinking we
ould spring him as a Cuban
'Nixl' said Kelly shortly. That's old
tuff. That Cuban thing has been worked
o death by people who never saw the
sland-not even on a map. Why, all
ou've got to do is to say Cuban, and
QUILL make people suspicious. Nix on
he Pearl of the Antilles"
"Just the way 1 had 1t figured outr
aid Bostwick. Now. this Mexican gag
J thousand per cent. stronger. In the
rst place, it's never been done that I
now OF. In the second place, how many
I these Fasteners have ever seen a
fexican to know him? Not one in a
iillion! Mexicans are mostly too poor
D travel, and those that can afford IL
ways chuck bluff that they're Span
lrds. Yes, Buckner will have to be a
Iexican, or a cross between a Mexican
nd an Indian. and all he'll have TO do
to change his name. That's dead easy.
ION Juan Garcia, or Haysoose Maria
Iartinez' or any old thing Easy? Well,
should sayl'
"Im afraid" said Kelly, and there was
his tone hint OF uncertainty as
In spite of himself he had been weigh
lg the matter In his mind. I'm afraid
g no use, Joey. l couldn't be done
we play this fellow for a Mexican.
'ery Mexican in this part OF the country
oulu make IL mis- business to look uD
uckner and have a chat with him. and
the coon couldn't come through with
10 language"
Old man Bostwick brought his fist down
ith tremendous thump.
But he eanw he cried. That's the
st part OF 1.-THE eanl This Buelner
iks that Mexican Spanish all same rs
sailors parrot. ! guess / forgot 10
ention 20 you that he lived down An
reside County Texas for fiye years !
hen he was a kid, and that's right On
% Mexican line. Why. he can sling
at chile-con-carne conversation 80 thick .
I'd fast Il would make your head swimi
aik the tanguage7 Why he can eat
alivei"
Ihe dickens you sayf exclaimed Kelly
My didn't YOU tell me that before9
1u always tell story backward. anv-
ay Now, how much more informatioo
We you got tucked away inside thaf
ick skull Of yoursf"
loey hoefwick grinned, and. taking :
ttish, pale cigar from MS vest poolat
oeeeded to poison the atmosphere with 1
fumes. "-s1
'of course" he said. at last. between