New Britain herald., 1924-09-17

l1D end or last season Farnham and A Larabee found themselves tied for the championship of Washington County.
 And Farnham and Larabee hated each other with hatred like sounding brass.
 There are three reasons why I can de- scribe that historic post series better, per haps, than any other mortal living.
 In the first place, was editor of the Farnham Daily Record, the paper with the largest circulation in Washington County.
 Second count: I was the only left. handed pitcher in Farnham.
 And thirdly, for the reason of reasons, the same for which King Solomon wrote the Song of Songs.
 The night before the action started branded my memory with four burning words and called on Florence. waited until she was untying the box of candy. Then suddenly cleared my throat and got 1t off my chest.
 ''Oh, don't know, Joe." she said. T haven't made up my mind yet.''
 "Is there somebody else theng'
 Florence was hunting for caramel. Huh huh," she sadly sighed. Five or six"
 And you like 'em all as well as mel" asked her and I want to tell you that had a pair of No. 12 pains kicking at my heart"
 "N-no," said Flo. "Not all of them. There's one, though" {, You mean Doc Allen?"
 She didn't deny it.
 Doc Allen of Larabee?" asked, open ing the indignation stop when I came to the last word. | "Joe," said Florence in her quiet voice, looking down at me as the stars look down on a murder, 'my mother was born in Lara bee and all her folks live there" . had sense enough to back up, changing my tack to first come first served.
 Has Doc Allen asked you, FloT' gen. tly demanded. =,
 'He asked me last night"
 That was hot one. "What-what did you tell him?' I stammered.
 "I told him I'd think it over, and he's going to call tonight The doorbell rang; Florence answered it.
 She came back with Doc Allen, dern him, carrying the biggest box of candy that he had been able to find in his drug store, and though we shook hands, would have given year of my glorious future if could have been writing his obituary. and guess he'd have given as much if he could have dosed me with few choice boxes of his pills. Then Flo sprang it on us.
 CHE couldn't or she wouldn't decide the O question for herself. She was going to fasten it on fate.
 "You pitch for the Larabee team. Billy" she said, land Joe pitches for the Farnham boys. Well, if Larabee wins the series I'm going to say Yes to Billy. And if Earn ham wins I'm going to say Yes to Joe.
 And as for Little Joe Chats mel, Little Joe made the bumps stand out on his jaw like the wens on grandpa's head. "Farn- hams going to win,'' I thought, If it takes my hair off.P
 All the same, I knew there was going to be some heavy lifting, for when l looked at Larabees leading dispenser of drugs he was glaring at me like Sitting Bull just pre- yious to the scalping.
 The series started the next day. The team first winning two games in succession Uas to be voted the victor. And the open ing game was to be played at Larabee.
 It was about six miles from Farnham to Lsrabee, and at 1 o'clock that afternoon rou couldn't see the road for dust When I tell you that the Daughters of Deborah went over in a body you can begin to get some slight idea of the state of public opinion.
 The Knights of Daylight had wanted to 20 in full uniform, but when we thought of those eighty-fve huskies with swords and helmets listening to the taunts of Laraoee' cooler counsel conquered. The Knights went fin multi, but they were easily distinguish . sble by their proud and martial airs.
 Iarabee had a crowd out to match our ovn and-think of it-their band didn have manners enough to shut up when our orn band marched on the field.
 So. of course, we went right on playing "The ConQuering Hero while they footed .wsv at "The Star Spangled Banner" And then, of course, the bands had to fight if out till the game was called, thus giving double musical accompaniment to the taunts. the jeers, the gibes and the gems oi wit which were flying around like crows al planting time.
 Half-past two. fBing!" rang a bel behind the grandstand. The umpire Susted the home plate with his cap and an nouncsd the batteries. Doc and were tS