Evening star., 1925-10-18
GREAT CATCH
BY GERALD BEAUMONT

but the rules Of the game call to me
to acknowledge my debt. Mind putin
| 1t there"
He held out a blistered hand, and
Nelson rose to meet 1t.
Its all right. Joe! You understand.
of course. l was hoping all the time
I'd have to drop you"
Mulhall nodded. But you couldn't
Tough luck, but that's the way 1t goes.
I'd have had to do the same thing.
! Well, see you again some time"
At this stage in the courtship fresh
fuel was added to the fire by the ap-
proach of the annual ball game.
| Capt. Collins, despite his years, was
a splendid first baseman and field
manager of recognized ability. One
] week before the event he concentrated
his attention on the approaching
contest. Five o'clock practice was the
rule in the public playground nearest
to the Mission station.
| Joe Mulhall galloped all over the
field, making one hair-raising catch
after another. His superior was i'm
PEELED to compliment him. "'At's the
stun. boy! This fellow Nelson amt
going to get any home runs while
| you're playin' center field"
| Mulhall replied fervently: you're
right. he aintr' And Collins under
stood that the forthcoming game. so
| 1aT as Joe was concerned, "OulO De
/ strictly q two-man contest.
| Collins put an arm around the
shoulders of his subordinate. did
Nora tell you she's to be one Of the
program girls? Take my advice. Joe,
and date her up for after the game.
Do that before tho other fellow beats
you to it!'
Mulhan saluted. "I'n do It. Captain.
Much obliged for the assignment"
THE great day came-a balmy Cali
fornia Winter day. with a crowd
overf1owing the ball park. with Nora
McCarron heading a bevy Of pretty
program girls, with flremen's quartets
and police bands, and exhibition drills.
and all the color and excitement that
made such occasions memorable. Po-
lice Chief O'Connor threw the first
ball, Fire Chief Powell caught 1t, his
| honor the mayor decided 1t was a
strike. and the official umpires then
took charge. The game was on.
For the first time In 10 years the
police were winning. Capt. Collins and
Joe Mulhall were leading the attack.
Redfaced cops were running them
| selves dizzy and the firemen were
dazed by the extent Of the confagra-
1 ltoii- lHEcc runs III lflc llTSI inning,
! five more in the third, seven in the
! fifth. Capt. Collins came reeling to
the bench, so exhausted he could
hardly walk. Mulhall's back was
nearly broken. Corp. Barnes. pitching
ace OF the department, was pop-eyed
| from fatigue. He had Just scored his
second home run.
| The police had performed-not wise.
| ly but too well. The firemen were in
better condition than their opponents.
More than that. they were accustomed
| to long-drawn-out struggles. The tide
of battle began to turn.
Hold 'em, boys. implored Capt.
Collins. 'Ten-run lead and only two in
nings to go! They can't beat us now!
Heads up. everybody, for the honor of
| the force"'
'Ducky" Smith of the fire depart
ment tripled in the eighth with the
| bags full and was nailed at the plate
for the out that ended the inning. The
| firemen came to bat in the last half
| of the ninth seven runs behind, but
prepared to drive the tired police from
the face of the earth. Luck. as usual,
had gone into reverse gear. Every
ball that was hit seemed to be en-
dowed with the desperate ingenuity of
a criminal fleeing from the law.
grounders twisted through police legs
or struck pebbles and bounced over
the heads OF cursing cops. In vain
Capt. Collins halted the proceedings to
substitute one pitcher after another
and call reserve inflelders from the
bench. What he needed was the shot
gun squad. Gradually the score
mounted and the climax Of the game
approached. Parker, at short for the