Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-07-30

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eide. Iris would have 1t out with
them through their natural leader,
Win Shute.
It has been intimated elsewhere
that good story hangs about the dis
covery and capture Of James Winton
Shute-"Win" to his team mates as to
his college intimates. Suffice 1t that
he was captain of the varsity nine at
the big university, and so devoted was
he to the national pastime that he was
eager to cut short his collegiate train
ing at the end of his junior year and
ioin the Glant-killers. But iris Ford
wouldn't listen to 1t. He insisted that
| James Winton finish his education;
and ever after, when Shute considered
his bachelor of arts degree with pride
and satisfaction, he never failed to
thank Iris Ford for his part In the
capture Of 1t. Ford alone could have
kept the budding ball player In col
lege.
Two years after graduation Shute
was a regular on the Giant-killers
team, playing second base. He was
batting well over 800 and covering
second as though he had invented the
position and was continually improv-
ing his invention. He had earned the
sobriquet Of the "pepper-box,' for the
obvious reason that he infused life ana
20 into the club. He was In the game
every minute, playing always for the
team, never for himself.
And-hls lips had never known the
taste of liquor, as Ira Lands orator.
cally said one time at a public ban
ouet: neither did the great second
sacker smoke. No wonder Iris Ford
looked upon him as model ball play
err and sought his counsel. James
Winton Shute sat at the managers
right at the meetings of the strategy
board
Events fastened iris Fords consul
tatlon with Win Shute about Barney.
First of all, Shute was suffering the
tortures of Job with nasty boil on
his groln-the one spot where such an
affection can most harass an active
ball player. Iris Ford, sympathetic
to fault, had told Win to stay out OF
the game.
"With the team in batting slump,
the pitching staff wabbly, and a lead
of less than two games? Not on your
life, Iris! You may get the umpire to
order me off the field, but I'll not quit
for anybody else-get thatT
This gingery dialogue took place In
Chicago. Three days later Barney
, Larkin failed to show up the after
noon he was down to pitch. Hawk
who didn't have the stuff, tried to I'll
: the southpaw's shoes, and the Giant
killers were beaten-trounced three
!, games out of four in the series.
| Getting back from the grounds, thu
, team found Barney in the hotel lobby
: mixing It up with the hotel porter
: friendly soul, who had tried to lure
: the full" pitcher into the privacy o.
his bedroom. At sight of Iris Ford
, Barney sobered up temporarily ant
{ lurched into the elevator-and heavil!
t against Win Shute.
II was the much-advertised last bait
of straw. Barney's kicking over tn
traces and upsettlng the chariot o
victory In such crisis was too mucl
for James Winton Shute. He spok
his mind:
"If Ford doesn't tie can to you to
morrow the so-called hundred-thou
sand-dollar infield will look like
plugged nickel. Barney, you're no
worth d-n to anybody but the IN
dertaker-and he'd be taking a lon
chance. for don't know who'd give u
dollar to bury you. You're nothin
but an ordinary bum"
There was split second when It ar
peared likely Barney would strik
Shute. Iris Ford, who had crowde
\ into the elevator unseen at the las
4 moment, seeming trouble, contriyed I
4 worm his way in front of Barney. II
gripped the pitchers wrists and hel
them like wise. The danger wa
averted. But that evening after dir
ner, when Shute was sitting in hi
room reading, the manager come
him and unbosomed himself. TC
gether they discussed Barney's pect
4 liar case from every possible view
point.
"You put him in his right class
} bum," began iris.
"But oughtn't to have said It," az
mitted Win.
"Never mind about that-you wer
justified in saying most anything
you playing for the club when 20
should be in bed"
n "Cut that out, Iris l want tn
o pennant-want to get into the worl
. series money again-you know It."
80 do we all of u.s. agreed Ford.
"And there'll be no pennant tn
- season If we can Barney Larkin-
!, that's clnch." iris Ford suppresse
:. sigh Of pure relief. He now vel
a tured to remark:
=, 'If you boys want me to let Barne
: 60. why--he goes You won't have
- saw the word twice It's up to you
i. I'VE can't win without him--yo
:, appreciate that, iris. He's a wea
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