Evening star., 1926-11-28

A LII up and down the Coast
~ League circuit thousands Of
"A fans knew Dusty" Dugan,
4 4 the brilliant young shortstop
OF R'ick Mc(iovern's cha npion
Wolves. Particularly was this true
on the home grounds. where Joe was
the hero of small boys and the idol
OF the bleaCheriteS.
Miss Ne;nie Norton had never met
this young star, but what knowledge
she had concerning him was Of very
intimate nature. Miss Norton was
the young lady who laundered Mr..
Dugan's uniform: and therein lies a
story.
II ever there was Ian player who
persisted in getting his clothes dirty
II was Joseph Terence Dugan, called
Dusty" for good and sufficient rea-
sons. And if there ever WAS girl
who took pride in her calling it was
Vernie Norton, high priestess of pur-
ity, in the steam temple Of Papa Pier
rot, across the street from the ball
park.
Joe Dugan was q product OF the
sandlots of San Francisco, and a great
deal Of sand still clung to him. in
side and out Joe was a very earnest
young man--tall, slender, loose -jointed
a natural ball player. II Brick Nc
Govern could be believed. Joe Dugan
ate base balls, drank iodine and slept
in his costume, and you could readily
accept the last statement. There was
no escaping the fact that Dusty's uni
form would have been q disgrace to
any ball club. Nor could anybody
reform him.
Peewee Patterson. Digger Grimes.
Rube Ferguson and other members OF
the Wolves talked it over on the
bench. The general opinion was
unanimous.
THE only time Joe cleans up is
when he comes to bat with the bases
full That guy would be up in the
majors If he didn't look like he be-
longed in coalyard. The scouts
can't see him for the dust"
Yeah, you said it! Them pants
were white when he put 'em on. and
now look at 'em! What's all that
"vaseline from his glove" said
Peewee.
mo it amt" contradicted Fergu.
son. That's tobacco juice. He spits
in his glove and then wipes 1t off
on his pants. When he slides he picks
up half the diamond"
law, lay off" commanded Brick
McGovern Long az Dusty's going
good don't try to change his habits.
That's what makes him ball player
Brick was right. Joe Dugan's heart
and soul were In the game. and all
the nervous habits by which he sought
to steady himself had become so much
a part of his earnest makeup that
TO interfere now was to throw him
out Of stride.
So, Dusty Dugan was permitted to
go untrammeled and unwashed. No
one gave a thought to Papa Pierrot's
'aundry: still less did Joe Dugan dream
mat his pants. on which he slid
through dust to glory, had aroused
the resentment Of Miss Vernie Norton.
But all things happen in due course.
THE Snow White Laundry was
veritable temple of purity from
which ascended daily the incense Of
borax, ammonia and damp linen.
Papa Pierrot was really a great man,
an artist in his line. passionately de-
. voted 60 the task of annihilating the
last sceck of dirt.
Miss Norton was tall and dark and
slender. Her fingers were pink
nailed and perfect. Jade earrings OF
the most approved pattern accentu-
ated her dark hair and white cap.
She did finish work only and Papa
Pierrot always led visitors to Miss
Eernie's table as the final demon
stration of laundry efficiency.
Miss Vernie's picture was even
used in street car ads of the Snow
White Laundry-a beautiful photo
graph in colors. accompanied by the