Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-15
HARD FARM WORK,llA7+
BIC MEALS, DID IT
Higgins Pleased When Rog-
ers Reported in Spring
Heavier by 80 Pounds.
BY ROGERS HORNsBY.
(Copyright, 1929, by The North American
Newspaper Alliance0

CHAPTER v.
w YHEN went back to Texas in
NA the Fall of 1915, after my
| NV first venture into the big
league, didn't know
whether 1 was a big Lacquer
or not I kept thinking about what
Miller Higgins, then manager of the
! st. Louis Cardinals, had said to me:
Il wish you were bigger"
He didn't wish it half as much as
did 1 wondered what could do to
get bigger. I weighed only about $780,
| but I was pretty tall. I was a long,
| slim string of boy, only a little past
| 10. But that seemed old to me then.
1 thought was full grown.
| When I got home I told my troubles
| to my mother. and it cheered me some
when she said, why, you're only a
boy yet. Rogers. You'll get bigger.
Don't you worry about that. I know
| you'll make good with st. Louis" She
always had encouraging words for me.
I intended to look for a Winter job
| in Fort Worth, because I felt couldn't
afford to lie around all Winter and not
earn any money. But mother had an
other idea. had an uncle with farm
near Lockhart, Tex, and it seems he
had suggested that I spend the Winter
on his place and help him with the
| farm work.
"That will be just the thing for you,"
said my mother.
Accedes to Mothers Plan.
I didn't feel that way about 1t, but
when my mother added that the out
| door exercise and the plain food would
make me bigger and stronger. agreed.
Ever since then have felt grateful
to my uncle for his suggestion. 1t was
amazing what that Winter did for me.
I did nothing but eat and work and
sleep. I got up early and helped about
the farm. It was just what needed.
There were cows and horses and hogs
to take care of. There was some work
to be done on the land, but there was
plenty of time to go hunting and
had many long tramps hunting rabbits
and quail That meant had a good
appetite, and there never was better
place to be with an appetite than on
that farm.
My uncle had set of scales, and
made great use Of them. Before
Christmas had taken on 10 pounds,
and was tickled to death.
That was only start don't know
whether it was the exercise, the milk,
cream and butter, or just the fact that
| was al tIlC aye W III OuV' <AAJW
| I filled out / had bat and ball at
the farm and got some practice at hit
ting when I could find any one to
pitch to me.
The bat felt better than ever In my
hands. I could feel added strength In
my hands and arms. My legs were in
great shape because of the long tramps
chasing game.
| Quarts of Milk a Day.
drank quarts Of milk every day.
never got over the habit, either. I
still drink milk with my meals, instead
| of tea or coffee.
It wouldn't be long after supper be-
fore would be in bed when I was on
e, the farm. usually slept 10 hours. There
were no parties. There were no picture
shows. There was no hanging around
cigar store or a billiard hall. Nothing
but outdoor exercise, lots to eat and
plenty of sleep. My advice to any lad
who needs to build up would be to
spend year on a farm.
In February received q letter from
st. Louis telling me to report early in
! March at the training camp In San
/, Antonio. could hardly wait. The day
left the farm stepped on the scales.
They registered 100.
| never will forget how pleased and
surprised Miller Higgins was when I
reported. He couldn't believe his eyes.
He shook my hand and said: Get out
there now, and knock the cover on the
| ball."
(Next-Helped to Stardom by
Sore ARM