Evening star., 1926-11-28

would have set about coolly to bring
order out of chaos.
No, Vernie could have risen above
ordinary catastrophes. without so
much as disturbing the powder on
her nose, but she could not dodge the
issue presented by Joe Dugan's uni
form. His pants were particularly i'm
possible! Vernie said as much, time
and again, picking up the offending
garment and depositing it in the re-
wash basket Nothing was permitted
10 pass Miss Vernie's table that was
not chemically pure. But Dusty
Dugan's pants came back, as per
sistent and unchanged as Casey s
cat
How in the world" demanded
Miss Vernie, "can a man get his
clothes In that condition? Who is he?
What does he do?"
She had no trouble in finding en-
lightenment, for many of Miss
Vernies dignified sisters were ardent
base ball fans.
WHO thinks there can be no ro-
w nance in q laundry? Who says
that because Tennyson is mute and
the days Of King Arthur's court are
buried in the dead calendar of Merrie
EZHkldIlu, DIuitlcu hIAkShlS AAO AciA6CA
ride to battle with a gage d'amour
on their helmets. Out upon him for
a knave! There is still oil in the
lamp of romance. The sacred fire
is unouenchable. It Is guarded even
by the vestal virgins in Papa Pier
rot's laundry, in whose hearts may
be read the same old message OF the
flowers. though Fate and the worlds
necessity have enrolled them in pro-
fession where they can only say IT
with soap.
Vernie was human after all. She
was first indignant, then puzzled and
finally interested. Her professional
reputation was at stake. Joe Dugan's
uniform assumed the nature of per-
sonal challenge. She determined to
see for herself just how Joe Dugan
managed TO present a problem that
defied her skill
SATURDAY. afternoon Papa pierrot's
star laundry girl visited the ball park
to observe the behavior Of Brick Nc
Governs stellar performer.
Joe Dugan's uniform had been I'M
maculate when 1t left the Snow-Whfte
Laundry the day before. And now as
the game progressed, Vernie beheld
the desecration in all its details. The
Wolves were having field day., and
Dusty Dugan was indulging in an
orgy Of uncleanliness. Dark brown
stains, representing we'll known
product of Virginia, covered the bosom
of his shirt. After every play the
young shortstop spat on his glove,
rubbed 1t off on his white pants, kick
ed up more dust. threw some up In
the air to test the wind. and set him
self" for the next effort.
It had been so hard to get that uni
form clean and Joe Dugan was show
ing how easy it was to get it dirty.
Near the close OF the game Brick Nc
Governs young shortstop came to
bat with the bases full and climaxed
his work for the afternoon with a line
drive that went clear to the clubhouse.
The ball was relayed back, and 1t
reached the crouching catcher at the
home plate just as Joe Dugan aban-
doned his hold on heaven and earth
and all between, and plowed forward on
his face. There was q crash. cloud
Of dust and the vision of q man in
blue blouse stretching out both
hands, palms downward.
The lily Of the laundry departed. a
prey to conflicting emotions. Ten
thousand people had cheered hero
whose uniform presented problem
that was peculiarly her own. And he
was q hero-no question about that
the first celebrity that Vernie had ever
seen close at hand. After all, star
has it's attraction, even If 1t be covered
with dust and dark stairs. There is
always the possibility that with pa
tience. perseverance and the applica-