Evening star., 1928-04-15
INSTALLMENT I.

The crack of ash upon horsehide
| echoed across the Ferriston High School
| athletic field. Now and then the cry Of
player or the sharp voice of Coach
| Edwards came to the ears of Bill Jen-
kins and Ruth Sauers as they sat in a
| window of the school building and
( watched one Of the seasons first prac-
| tice sessions on the diamond.
The field was close enough that they
could make out the forms of Bob Mil
Ter and Red Hopkins. the only two
| members of the Conquerors Club who
| were out for the base ball team. Bob and
Red were the naturally athletic boys in
| the club. However, Bill had proved a
| fine quarterback in foot ball the Fall be-
| fore. and had shone as the brightest
| star of the sophomore class basket ball
| team. while Porky Jones. the fourth
! member of the club, had made his mark
| in foot ball also, in spite of his fat and
| his tendency to laZiness.
| Ruth put her hand on Bills arm.
Bill" she said Soberly. "are you
sure you didn't want to go out for base
| ball this Spring.
Positive" replied Bill emphatically.
| I've done enough in the sport line for
one year. I'm no good at base ball
| anyway.
| good at foot ball. either, until Bob made
| you go out. Nor for basket ball
! II know But base ball is different.
| Just wouldn't be any good at 1t, that's
| all"
Well" said Ruth, satisfied II just
| wanted you to be sure. didn't want to
| think that had kept you of the team.
| Bill grinned Don't worry about
that" he said. You know Bob wouldn't
| let you do it. He thinks lot OF you.
| Ruth. but he's unmerciful when 1t
| comes to making fellow take part IN
school affairs. He's great class presl-
| president. too"
Bob Miller didn't know so many nice
| things were being said about him. for
| at that moment he was very busy on
the base ball field. In fact, at that very
| instant Coach Edwards was saying to
him. none too gently. Don't be so
anxious. Bob. Remember it's early In
sthe season. You'll never be good
pitcher if you don't learn to save your
arm. Now toss a few more down to
Whistler, and toss them slowly"
Sorry. Coach" said Bob. grinning
good -humoredly at the young man. Il
| just can't help wanting to burn them
over"
Well. you've got lots of speed. but
| you'll have plenty of chance to use 1t
| before the season Is over. Remember
| that have only one pitcher this year.
and you've got to develop into my other
one. Ed Sand is good, but a team
can't play a season with only one
| pitcher"
Il know" said Bob. I'm take it
easy"
/ Coach Edu.ards ,,,oved GUAR .o ar-
other part of the diamond, where other
| members of the squad were having bat
| ting practice At the moment Red
Hopkins was standing In front of the
screen while Ed Sand. pitcher and cap
tain of the team. was tossing the ball
| up to him.
The coach watched Red catch a pitch
at shoulder height and drive 1t far out
into the field.
Good boy. Red" he said IF you
can field as well as you can hit well
| find place for you on this team
A few minutes later practice was
| finished for the day. and Red and Bob
trotted toward the school side by side
Suddenly they heard a great putting
| behind them. They turned around to
| find Porky beckoning TO them YEARLY.
They stopped to wait for him.
For cats sake" gaSped the fat boy
| as he finally caught I'D to them.
where's the fire? I've been trying 10
| catch you ever since you left the field. -
Where were you?" inquired Red.
up in the stands watching you flu
ture big leaguers paste the pfll about
the pasture" said Porky, recovering his
breath somewhat. DO you think that
you'n ever amount 10 anything?"
Wen amount TO more than you un-
less they figure success by so many
IONS on the hoof." replied Red sarcas-
| tically.
Bob grinned You'll never get that
lat on again until foot bah season, I
guess. Porky"
I guess not" said Porky compla-
loves a fat man. 50 I'm not bothereS
by girls chasing me-
They had reached the school building
and now entered the locker room.
speaking OF girls" said Red 1T
looks to me as though our Bill and
his Ruth would have the leading parts
In the class play. The tryouts are
going on this afternoon. you know"
mo fooling?" said Bob. What say
We hurry and get dressed. and so up
and watch them7"
The boys agreed. and a few minutes
later they entered the auditorium,
where all the members of the Sopho-
more class who we're interested in the
stage were gathered for the tryouts.
Bill seated near the stage. saw them
as they entered. and motioned them
forward. They quickly Joined him and
Ruth
what's the matter'" asked Bob. rs
1t all overp"
Yes. everybody has tried out" said
Bill. We're just waiting now for Miss
Haines 10 announce who gets the
parts"
Il guess there's not much doubt
about the leading lady" said Porky.
They'll naturally give It 10 Ruth. the
heSt-lookinG girl in the class. But IL
they choose q ham like you as leading
man. ought 10 be In the movies
That's an idea" said Bill quickly,
You'd make q perfect target for
cuStard pie"
Further banter was cut short by the
appearance Of Miss HaineS. sophomore
English instructor, Sudden silence fell
among the chattering students in the
auditorium.
II viii now announce the parts" said
the English teacher Miss Louise Pa
hian, the leading lady, viii be PLAYED
hy Ruth SauerS James Wentworth,