Evening star., 1922-03-12
BATTING FOR MIR. GHOST
? ING BASE BALL has wisely
ordained that each bf his paid
seryitors shall consider HIM

sell the particular coz upoA
which the entire machinery depends
which Is merely preliminary to the
announcement that a very important
member OF the Coast League Semi
noles was indispcsed, and that
Blinker Burke, the trainer. was very
much concerned.
Usually Blinker only worried about
the weather, for the Seminoles all
gave their age in the official records
as twenty-six. which is professional
pleasantly. On the race track. after
a horse is six years old. he is not re-
quired TO confess to anything more than
being aged" Similarly ball player
never gets any older than twenty-six.
The Seminoles were veterans to
whom perspiration was the blessed
oil Of st. Jacob and a hot day the
portal to salvation.
But here it was In June. with the
Coast League circuit still swept by
chill spring winds and the skies still
murky from ocean-blown fogs. To
add to the general depression. the
Seminoles were hobbling along In
last place, the attendance was falling
Oft appallingly. and there was per-
sistent rumor that the Seminols ghost
had developed writer's cramp and
water on the knee.
This rumor was finally confirmed
by Senator Frank Lathrop. owner OF
the club, who called the boys into
his Office On the day that the ghost
was to make his semi-monthly visit.
Boys" he confessed. spreading out
his fat hands helplessly, I'll have to
stall you of until the series with the
Badgers. They're going good, and
maybe our cut of the gate will pull
us out Of the hole. All we've been
drawing in the box office this week
is our breath, and the government
collects a war tax on that The other
clubs are losing money. too"
why don't you sell out? demand
ed Red Hughes. the catcher.
The owner shook his head sadly.
I've tried it, but the bills exceed
the value Of the franchise: the other
clubs are losing money, too; it's the
weather. Best can do Is post-dated
checks, and Mac will hand 'em out.
Don't you go. Blinker; want to see
you a moment"
~ i X
NNE after another the Seminoles,
~ shepherded by Manager Pop
Hillery. faded sorrowfully in the di-
rection Of the secretary's Office, leav-
ing Biinker Burke sitting disconso-
lately opposite his very old friend and
companion at arms, the Hon. Frank
trict.
.BIinker," said his employer i'm
pressively, when Pop and took you
out of a Turkish bathhouse nine years
ago you thought a base ball diamond
belonged in a cravat. and the nome
plate was something you put the soup
in. You're still a bit weak on some
OF the rules, Blinker. still bit weak;
but when it comes to rubbing the cold
spot out of pitchers arm or keeping
a bunch Of old cripples in the bread
line you're the undisputed champion
OF the world.
The senator leaned forward; his
voice melted into the persuasive
tones with which he was wont to
wrsst an appropriation from the state
board Of control.
"Blinker," he purred, good old
Blinker, l got tuberculosis OF the
bank-roll. There's two strikes on
the ghost. and he's swinging at any
thing. For the love of Pete, tell me
what to do:"
The trainers eyelids began to open
and shut like an accordion, sure
sign that cerebrum and cerebellum
were laboring under the stress OF
deep thought Had it been a physical
ailment, such, for example, as Bill
Tate's boils. or Buck O'NeiPs rubber
knee, which bounced out of place
twice every afternoon, or Tip NAL
loys patriotic bunion. which BIOS
somed every Fourth Of July-for
these Blinker would have known the
precise remedy. But a ghost with
tuberculosis and bad eyes! The
veteran trainer had never encounter
ed such a challenge to his profess
sional skill.
But 1t has already been pointed out
that a trainer is. by his own confess
sion, the final pillar of responsibility,
the court OF last resort, the archanEel
of the dugout. Presently Mr.. Burke's
eyes ceased blinking.
Senator Lathrop looked hopeful.
"well?"
Ghosts are little out Of my line" !"
admitted Blinker, 'but I met q guy
last night who Say, you leave 1t
all to me-"
Good old Blinker," said the Semi
mole chieftain. "You make the ghost
walk and I'll boost your wages fifty
per-"
"see YOU tomorrow" agreed
Blinker.
At 4:ao the following afternoon the
owner of the Seminoles was seated
In his Office when, creak-creak-
creak!
Tho door began to open-just like
that!
The senator viewed this perform
ance with annoyance, then mild in
terest. then trepidation. He grasped
a ruler.
THE door continued to swing back an
inch at time. Finally 1t de-
scribcd a complete arc, revealing on the
threshold a young man attired in a
check suit. straw hat and horn-rim-
med spectacles. The visitor gazed at
Senator Lathrop> fooishly. The senator
returned the stare, striving meanwhile
to determine whether he was looking at
a new reporter or q bill collector. The
young man stepped briskly into the