White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-10-01

sibll1ty, and practically succeeded as
Jim continued to win.
Northward now, and the opening
game. The Brown Sox park was
taxed to capacity with the hopeful
fans who had sensed the unusual pos
sibilities of the team, and who
wanted to see Jim Potter perform.
Hadn't he won every game of the
training tour? Sure, and he had out
grown his bad habit of the previous
year. Mccarthy dared not work any
one else in this important opener, and
Jim was the only hurler to warm up.
He went into the box amidst a din
that "shook the field" according to
the little mascot. Pitching beautiful
ly, he was not scored on until the
eighth, when run coming in before a
sensational catch in deep center re-
tired the third man.
In the ninth Jim mussed up a
grounder, walked the next man, and
them was the victim of a long hit.
Before Mccarthy yanked him the
game was lost.
A glum lot were the Sox as they
changed clothes. Potter had already
gone.
"He's all right" declared Blake.
"Too early to expect nine innings
from a soupbone, against those hittin'
DEVILS" Deep in his breast Blake was
worried, for he had seen Jim groove
the ball when the pinch came.
His next time out Jim weakened in
the fifth, and when he had disap-
peared, crestfallen, into the club
house, little Gene followed.
"I'm sorry" he declared.
Jim pulled off the sweaty shirt and
patted the lad on the shoulder. II
appreciate your sympathy, old man"
he said.
you'll get goin' soon," the lad in
sisted.
II hope so. Well, must be getting
away"
Gene hung around, reluctant to
leave. Plainly there was something
he wanted to say. Jim queried him.
1--WE been wonderful where you
live" was the reply.
ooh, I've got room and 1 eat in
restaurants. Don't like it either"
"Say, know just the place for you.
My mothers got room for one more
boarder; why don't you come out and
live with us?"
Does your mother run a boarding
house?" Jim asked.
Eyes, sir. Fathers dead and Moth
er hasn't much money. / help her
with what the team pays me, and
sell papers. Say, I'd like awful we'll
to have you come out to our place."
IF do. will you make promise"
IF can," rejoined the boy enthu-
siastically.
Don't sir me again. I'm jim"
Gene chukled. "And I'm Gene" he
siad. They shook hands lige grown
up veterans, and Jim agreed to wait
fer Gene until the game ended.
So began their friendship. 1t was
welded stronger in the days to follow
the days that made Jim glad he had
changed boarding houses. Rather a
mixed gathering it was that sat at
Mrs. Martins excellent table and
talked of subjects varied and sundry.
Jim grew to appreciate the home life,
disliked thinking of road trips that
would deprive him Of these comforts.
One girl boarded there, Mary Mathew
son, and Jim was interested by the
very definite opinions she expressed
regarding life. She had startled him
by saying that she did not think a
man should squander his days playing
baseball, and particularly when he
made it his occupation. Jim count
cred with an argument that was rath-
er foolish, and the others laughed
Mary completed his discontinue.
You'll have to show some more
logical excuse for indulging in this
child's play, Mr.. Potter"
Gene defended baseball and Jim
now, and Mrs. Martin relieved the
tension by starting different topic.
But Jim could not forget Mary's de-
nunciation of the game. Had he been
winning he would have felt at liberty
to argue the matter with her, but
under the circumstances he couldn't
He won game, and rejoiced, but
not half as much as Gene did.
ooh, boy, that was corker, JIM"
the little fellow crowed. There won't
be no stoppin' you, now that you've
hit your stride"
Ito be Continued)
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