Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-06-24


thank iris Ford for his part in the
capture of it. Ford alone could have
kept the budding ball player In col
lege.
Two years after graduation Shnte
was 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 and
60 into the club. He was in the game
every minute. playing always for the
team. never for himself.
And-his lips had never known the
taste Of liquor, MS Ira Lands oratori-
cally said one time at a public ban
Quet; neither did the great second
sacker smoke. No wonder Iris Ford
looked upon him as a model ball play
er and sought his counsel. James
Winton Shute sat at the managers
right at the meetings of the strategy
board.
Events fastened iris Ford's CONSUL
tatiOn with Win Shute about Barney.
First of all. Shute was suffering the
tortures Of Job with nasty boil on
his groin-the one spot where such an
aftliction can most harass an active
ball player. iris Ford, sympathetic
to fault, had tolG Win to stay out Of
the game.
with the team in batting slump.
the pitching staff wabbly, and 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 that?"
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 fill
the southpaw's shoes, and the Giant.
killers We're beaten-trOunced three
games out Of four in the series.
Getting back from the grounds" the
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 Of
his bedroom. At sight of Iris Ford.
Barney sobered up temporarily and
lurched into the elevator-and heavily
against Win Shute.
1t was the much-advertised last bale
Of straw. Barney's kicking over the
traces and upsetting the chariot of
victory in such crisis was too much
for james Winton Shute. He spoke
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 not
worth d"n to anybody but the un-
dertaker-and he'd be taking long
chance. for don't know who'd give up
a dollar to bury you. You're nothing
but an ordinary bum"
There was IL split second when it ap-
peared likely Barney would strike
Shute. iris Ford. who had crowded
into the elevator unseen at the last
moment, seeming trouble, contrived to
worm his way in front of Barney. He
gripped the pitchers wrists and held
them like wise. The dangerAwas
averted. But that evening aftersdin.
ner, when Shute was sitting in his
room reading, the manager come to
him and unbosomed himself. To-
gether they discussed Barney's pecu.
liar case from every possible view.
point.
you put him in his right class-a
bum." began Iris.
But oughtn't to have said it." ad-
mitted Win.
"Never mind about that-you were
justified in saying most anything
you playing for the club when you
should be in bed"
Cut that out, Iris! l want the
pennant-want to get into the world
series money again-you know it."
$50 do we all of u.s." agreed Ford.
"And there'l be no pennant this
season if we can Barney Larkin-
that's cinch." Iris Ford suppressed
sigh of pure relief. He now ven
tured to remark:
IF you boys want me to let Barney
go, why-he goes! You won't have to
say the word twice. It's up to you"
1--WE can't win without him-you
appreciate that, iris. He's a weak
ling, and we've got to get along with
him somehow or other"
James Winton Shute exercised his
gray matter for brief space Of time;
then his face frightened and he pro-
posed:
slave scheme-why not appoint a
keeper for Barney?"
"A keeper?" iris smiled. but
shook his head.
"Some one to look after him-nev.
er leave him minute. 'cept when
he's snoring" elaborated Shute.
''Fraid he wouldn't stand for It,"
argued Iris; land If he did, in a