The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-04-14

one told him of the Catacombs-
cellars where the early Christians
were laid on the shelf. He became
fascinated with the subterranean
phenomenon.
When he made his excursion to
the Roman Catacombs he TOOK
Earnest Steadman with him. APP
parently he wandered through the
galleries absorbed in what he saw.
But there was malice aforethought
in his wanderings. He succeeded
in losing his keeper!
Rome remembers to this day
what ensued. The alcoholic erup-
ton ended shortly after midnight.
1t required six Roman policemen
to complete his arrest. The next
day he pitched one of the most ef-
fective games of his careless ca
reer.
This game was staged in the
Villa Borghese, where Acme an
nually engages in the Battle OIL
Flowers. 1t was a rare occasion,
honored by the King of Italy and
his suite.
iris Ford was in the Kings
loge, seated next to Victor Eman-
uel III, to explain the game to his
majesty. In the adjoining box
was the American ambassador His
Excelency John Bismer had with
him Mrs. Leonard and her daugh-
ter, Imogen Leonard. He had in
sisted that they be his guests, and
as James Winton Shute Offered no
biection-indeed, offered no con-
flicting invitation-the ladies had
accepted.
Baseball history repeats itself.
The Giant-killers went to bat in
the last half of the ninth inning
with the score 2 to against them.
On the first ball pitched, Ryan
the king nodded APP
at Iris Ford, who was
trying to sit unmoved in his chair.
The Giant-killers then fooled
their opponents - rated as the
worlds championship figured
that Odds, the next man up, would
blunt. Instead of that, the signal
was given for the hit and run, and
Ryan sprinted for second base at
the same time Odds was swinging
at fast ball.
Expecting a bunt, the first base
man was almost toppled over by
the grass cutter" and juggled 1t
long enough to let the batter get
to first and Ryan to second. A mo-
ment later the pair pulled off the
double steal. There was man on
third. a man on second, and no.
body out!
John Bismer leaned into the ad-
Joining box and whispered to Iris
Ford: Exactly the situation in the
last game of the world series!"
"One big difference" corrected
abe manager, there amt the
same lad at bat. Watch!"
The man who came to bat In the
crisis had familiar bearing. But
his face was either unknown or
strangely transformed. The sport
ing writer's at home could have
explained this:
Those prehistoric caps worn by
the Giant-killers! Long had the
headgear been condemned
as something which dated back to
the time when baseball was known
as FOUNDERS" but iris Ford
wouldn't dhange. To alter the de-
sign might bring bad luck! Now
the man at bat was glad that there
had been no change. Not soul
not the soul--would recognize
him!
He shifted around restlessly at
the plate. Hardest man to pitch
to in the league!" he was called.
Zone BALL"
Zone strike!" he had let 1t go
by.
He moved about, swung his bat,
raised his shoulders to let out a
kink in his muscles, and, quickly
but unostentatiously, pulled down
the visor of his cap.
instantly the runner on third
edged off the bag, more and more,
and the moment the pitcher lifted
his arms and began to wind up
he dashed for the plate. There was
a gasp, for 1t seemed that the
man was rushing IN TO certain de-
struction. But the agile youth at
bat reached out and deftly tapped
the ball! II rolled with exasper-
ating slowness toward the pitcher,
who was hurrying to field 1t.
Up went shout. The tying run
was scored for the Giant-killers!
And like unleashed lightning the
batsman was making tracks for
first base.
At the same time, rounding
third and never pausing for an in