Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-01-10

Our hopes were dashed: I could see
the game going west. We had no other
good pitcher To- put In.
Upon seeing Stewards arrest. the
Canadian rooters kept up their gleeful
shouting. We were sure up against il.
Here was the situation. 1t was the
last half OF the fourth inning. ana two
were out. If, by luck, we managed to
got the third Canadian out, 1t would
be IN easy matter for them to retire
rs In the next inning because our
weakest batting order was up. Then,
the Canadians would come to bat and
slaughter would commence.
was In despair. Stewart must have
realized that the game was hopeless
unless 1t could be finished In this inn
ing, because as he passed me he wills
pcrcti. "Watch out for gas; I'll make
them hunt for their gas helmets. TIN
be long time before that bunch OF
maple leafs forget this game. Now.
get wise. Delay the game as much rs
possible while getting a dub to pitch
In my place. Then watch for happen
ings. Get me? Are you wiser"
didn't "gct him." nor was "wise,"
but answered in the affirmative.
followed his instructions while out of
the corner of my eye watched him on
his way to the company billet.
He called man named Stein, a
member Of our company. who thought
no more Of losing q franc than he did
Of having his right arm shot off. Stein
went over to Stewart, who whispered
to him and passed him something.
What struck me as strange was the
fact that Stein. who had fifteen francs
OH the game, instead of coming back to
watch the game. disappeared behind
the billet, while Stewart was marched
or to "clink."
The rooters were getting impatient,
so put big Welshman in to pitch.
told the umpire flat according to the
rules pitcher being put in cold" was
allowed four balls over the plate to
warm up. The umpire agreed to this.
Whispered to the Welshman, "Get out
in that box and take your time, delay
ing the game as much as possible be-
tween each pitch. Now, you are al
lowed four balls over the plate In
which to warm up. Slam 'em into me,
but If you put one of them over, our
goose is cooked"
The Welshman was mystified, but
followed my instructions to the letter
He threw four balls which nearly
broke my back to get. Then the un-
pire held UP his hand and called. .'Play
ball !" Immediately went over to him
and explained that these four balls
had not gone over the plate. He fell
for this and agreed with me. After
that rube of pitcher had thrown
about fifteen or sixteen balls, several
passing me, which chased to the bill
let to waste time, the umpire got I'M
patient and the rootcrs were yelling
like mad to carry ON. I still insisted
that none Of the balls had gone over
the plate, and the umpire was in
quandary. Just then one Of our men
passed In the rear of me and whis-
pered: Stewart says to go on with
the game" Wondering at this infor-
nation. I started in.
The pitching of that Welshman was
awful. He hit the first two men up
and walked the third. I was in despair,
bases full and two out. Some of the
Canadian rooters were jumping up and
down, throwing their hats in the air..
and one fellow was whistling 1.-THE
Star-Spangled Banner" This got my
goat completely.
Near every billet hangs gas gong.
This Is a triangular piece of steel or
an empty shell case. Beside this gong
hangs an iron striker. Upon the
sounding Of the alarm, by striking on
the gong with the striker every man
Is supposed to put on his gas helmet
and repair Immediately to his proper
station. These gongs are to warn SOL
diers that German poison gas Is COM
Ing over.
While ! was signaling to my rube
pitcher and beseeching him to put one
over, the Changing Of the gas gong rang
out. / dropped my glove, got off my
chest protector, and madly rushed for
my helmet and soon had 1t on, the
rooters and players doing the same.
Then / got wise. I remembered Stew.
arts instructions: "Watch out for gas.
I'll make 'em hunt for their gas he'll
NETS" The nerve and daring of his
scheme took my breath away. The
Canadians had mile to go to get to
their stations. and believe me, it is no
fun double-timing for mile while n
gas helmet Is choking you with it's
chemical fumes.
Well, those Canadians beat it. and so
ala we. but the game was saved and
all bets were off.
ineariy smothered with laughter in
my gas helmet. To the rest, not being
in the KNOW" 1t was genuine alarm.
Shortly after the stampede IL was dis