The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-05-20

| It was for the boys themselves TO de-
eide. Iris would have it 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 it 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
join the Giant-killerS. But Iris Ford
wouldn't listen to it. 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 it. Ford alone could have
kept the budding ball player in col
lege.
Two years after graduation Shute
was regular on the Giant-killers'
team, playing second base. He was
batting well over 300 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
go into the club. He was in the game
every minute, playing always for the
team, never for himself.
taste of liquor, as 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 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 a nasty boil on
his groin-the one spot where such an
affection can most harass an active
ball player Iris Ford, sympathetic
to a fault, had told Win to stay out of
the game.
with the team in a 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 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 were 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, a
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.
It was the much-advertised last bale
Of straw. Barney's kicking over the
traces and upsetting the chariot of
victory in such q crisis was too much
for James Winton Shute. He spoke
his mind:
eff Ford doesn't tie can to you to-
morrow the so-called hundred-thou-
sand-dollar infield will look like a
plugged nickel. Barney, you're not
worth d--n to anybody. but the I'M
dertaker-and he'd be taking a long
chance, for don't know who'd give up
a dollar to bury you. You're nothing
but an ordinary bum."
There was a 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 danger was
averted. But that evening after din
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.
'fYou put him in his right class-a
bum," began iris.
"But I oughtn't to have said IT," adj
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! I 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 therell 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:
sfIf you boys want me- to let Barney I
go. why-he goes! You won't have to