New Britain herald., 1929-06-27
DOMINIC RUNNER UP IN EASTERN LEAGUE
(Continued From First POD

1S. winning by margin of one marble. In the third game there was . great deal of wild shooting on the part of both boys and it seemed n though Dominic was about to slip again. He pulled himself together and took 10 out of 13 from the Pennsylvania boy. giving him second place in the Eastern league and win- ming an Illinois Marquis strap watch. Johnnie Presch of the New Britain Herald also was prize win- ner at a banquet rendered the visit ing newspaper representatives and the marble shooters at the Ocean City Yacht club last night. Johnnie was given five pound box of salt water taffy as first prize for catch ing the largest number of crabs on the boat on which he was fishing Tuesday afternoon. Cartelii won third prize on the same boat and was awarded an electric lantern.
 Dominic's record is nothing to be ashamed of, although he feels rather downcast. Monday he was a popular favorite for the national champion. ship and won all six games he played. Five of these he won on hls own merits as shooter, the sixth being due largely to false plays by his opponent. During this sixth game Dominic's playing was nothing to brag about.
 Had Day Ruined Chances
 Tuesday morning he seemed to 60 all to pieces. The poorest shoote ia in the league were too much for him. He just couldn't shoot. Hs confessed later to Johnnie Presch. his chum and travelling companion. that he would aim at one marbls and hit another. Every opponent took him into camp for one or more games. Two out of eight he won by accident. the other six he lost to players whose own shooting was mediocre. It was the mystery of the boardwalk. Dominic's standing previously as marble player had been such that Poughkeepsie news paperman was heard to say If we can go home saying we were able to take just one game from New Brit. ain we win be satisfied
 It was obvious that Dominic was trying hard. His famous smil> was gone. He saw or heard nothing but the game. His teeth were clenched and his jaw stuck out in grim light ing mood. But the marbles wouldn't get in front of his shooter. Tho easiest shots in the game he missed and hard ones were just out of the question.
 Discouraged But Determined sOn the verge of tears the New Britain boy kept shooting, but to no avail. He closed the days program with the knowledge that the league championship which had been his for the asking the day before, Wa. now forlorn hope and only q miracle could save 1t.
 The miracle almost happened. That afternoon the boys went for \ yacht ride and a crab fishing expedi- ton. Presch had been made Dom. inic's second and was official cus- todian of Dominic's favorite shooter Johnnie sat on the side of the deck. letting his feet hang down and fish d for crabs, incidentally getting more than anyone else on the boat. When the boat returned Johnnie's cloth- ing was wet and . strong odor of alcohol pervaded the air.
 It was the alcohol Dominic used to rub on his shooting fingers. Johnnie had sat on the bottle. knocked the cork out and spilled the alcohol Dominic was thoughtful. T didn't use alcohol Monday but l did Tuesday. maybe that's what spoiled my game" The alcohol was all gone. so Dominic shot without it Wednesday. using powdered chalk and sand on his fingers instead. Az . result Dominic won every game he played except one on Wednesday and lost that one by accident. His shooter stopped in the ring. when he was practically sure of the game. The other roy knocked his shooter out. This gave Dominic's opponent the game 13-O. despite the fact that Dominic already had five of the seven he needed for victory.
 During the forenoon Dominic re- ceived two special delivery lettera from friend back home. The let. ters seemed to cheer him up and help restore the confidence he lost after Tuesdays game.
 Cost National Championship
 Dominic's bad day undoubtedly cost New Britain the national championship. The highest score