White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-12-17

~OC BELL crouched in the dugou
IL and scowled as he watched his
infield in action. Doc had been doing
this for two years. In the past the
Green Sox had won pennants and he
was hero. But the players aged and
faded and slipped into oblivion, while
Doc labored to build a new organiza
ton. The outfield was satisfactory
and he had Rathskeller for utility
gardener. But he had no capable extra
infielder, and he lacked regular fol
third. James on first, Duke on sec
ond, and Galloway at short left moth
ing serious to worry about-only third
Third! Why in blazes couldn't he
| find some blithesome, tripping athlete
for the hot corner who wouldn't TRIP
every other time he raced in on a
bunt or pursued elusive grounders:
Such ran Docs thoughts, day in and
| day out.
This was the third week of the sea
son and the hole was still unplugged
despite the fact that spring candidates
for the job, when punched for theil
photo, reminded one strongly of the
extras used in a war picture. Not
one could fill the bill. Charger was
out there now; in fact, was very much
out there-he had just let an easy
grounded bound merrily between his
legs. Doc raved.
"Sufferin' mackerel!" he snorted
Here we are with chance for the
flag, and nobody on third. Where in
the deuce are Walker and Mahan?''
He strobe out of the dugout and 10.
Gated the scouts. "Come into the
office" he commanded. When the
door was closed he attacked them.
II amt got much use for either of
you guys" he rumbled, "but I'm tryin'
to forget that because need your
help. Pm goin' to ask favor of
you"
II suppose it doesn't amount to
much" Jerry Mahan retorted. Doc
didn't like Jerry very well; his ready
flow of the kings English had won
him the scout capacity, and when he
came to Doc realized he had been
out-talked. But Jerry had unearthed
Duke, and Perkins in center.
"What do you s'pose want?" Doc
asked sarcastivally.
"Why, you want nothing more than
man who can hit four hundred, grab
liners and bunts and grounders with
equal skill, and incidentally do it at
third. Am I right?"
"For once you are" Doc growled.
Then he turned to Walker. George"
he explained, II know it's a little early
for scoutin', but we've got to have a
bird for third. Can you get one?"
"You know I'll try" Walker ans
wered soberly.
What about you Doc wheeled
fiercely.
Providing he has the other essen
tials," Jerry said loftily, twill three
hundred hitter do?"
eyes," mumbled Doc, growing blue
about the gills.
"Then ia, ia. I'll nail you just
the fellow you're looking for. Come
on, George, old pal"
"Where do you suppose we should
dig for?" Walker faced the manager
"Blue Grass, maybe. Or the South
ern. Have got to tell you where
you'll find this missin' link"
first laid eyes on Augie Swift. This
was in Weedville, and the Saturday
afternoon game was barely started.
Two hours later it was almost ended
and George was squirming happily.
How that rube youngster had per-
formed! At the hot corner, too If
he didn't prove a flash in the pan, he
would be a sweet find. George turned
to the man next to him.
when do they play AGAIN." he
asked.
Tomorrow morning. Pretty good
little team we got, eh, Stranger"
Fair" admitted George. Couple
of 'em play awful awkward, though.
Now. that fellow on third
The man brandished his fists. "If
you say anything against Augie, I'll
brain you," he declared. "Augie's our
STAR"
as he always good like he was to-
day?" George waited interestedly.
The other chuckled. "Augie wasn't
playing up to his standard today. He
ought to got that drive in the fifth"
"Why, Joe Dugan wouldn't have got
that one. That was the shortstop's
ball"
well, If Augie was feeling o. K.
he'd scooped 1t up with his little
finger"