Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-31
DOWN LIN E.
WITH w. o. McGEEHAN-


The Famous StOmache.
THE Babe sustained his reputation
l. for doing the big thing in a big
way when he acquired q stomachache
that was felt around the world. 1t
was mentioned on the front pages Of
the London papers. The narrowing
tidings penetrated to the mountains
and the jungles. The wires, the cables
and the ether heralded the fact that
Babe Ruth had Q stomachache, and
how.
The ailment was acquired while the
Babe was moving North from the train
ing camp with the Yankees. They hur-
ried him to q hospital, where he first
became delirious, then unconscious. But
even H. this condition Babe Ruth
showed that he was as consistent a
journalist as he was a base ball player.
In the papers that published his daily
essay there appeared Mr.. Ruth's article
as usual.
Nothing ever imagined by Richard
Harding Davis equaled that. The
Babe, either delirious or uncon-
scious, must have escaped from the
hospital, and, hurrying to the near
est telegraph office, fled his dispatch
which turned out to be a model Of
accuracy, terseness, erudition.
After accomplishing this he felt bet
ter and started North to New York.
Feeling the need of nourishment after
performing this trying feat of journal
ism, he ordered himself few plates
of ham and eggs, a couple of double
sirloin steaks, extra orders OF fried
potatoes and a few quarts Of coffee
Strange as 1t may seem, this did the
stomachache no good at all. For several
days the playboy Of base ball almost
was waived out Of the big league and
into the Elysian fields. But fortunately
for the box ONCE Of the national
pastime he was spared to make even
greater achievements in base ball and
In his side line of journalism.
1t is doubtful II either the Babe or
base ball could survive another such
stomachache.
The Babes Public.
A T THE start of his base ball career
\ the Babe was quite as reckless
prodigal as the late John L. Sullivan
another of the popular American idols
Once, on the road, one of the sports
correspondents came upon the Babe
fumbling through his pockets looking
trihe perplexed. "I had a thousand
dollar bill somewhere last night" said
the Babe, but can't remember what
did with it."
The Babe enhanced his color fire.
QuSACIy Dy SOLIlc monumental pTal1-
storms. He defled the national pastime
intrenched behind Judge Lands as the
base ball commissioner; threatened to
leave the national pastime, then re-
pented. He received his punishment
which also punished the gate receipts
OF the Yankees and incidentally, all pro-
| fessional base ball with resignation and
became a friend and admirer of Judge
Lands.
Only once did he run completely wild
This was when he was In the midst of
batting slump and the customers
part Of then1-started to turn on him.
At the Polo Grounds when the Babes
spirit was at its lowest ebb there was
one fan sitting behind the plate who
hailed the Babe with a stentorian You
big bum, you" e
Suddenly something snapped in the
brain of the Babe. He leaped up into
| the stands and started after the tor
mentor. The man fed, shedding a
shoe as he ran. After making gesture
| like that Of Samson about to rend the
columns of the temple apart, the Babe
finally subsidized so that he could be led
to the club house and be soothed with
showers.
But Of late years the Babe takes his
| duty to his public" most seriously. His
| public consists Of the customers, largely
| Juvenile, who hold down the right field
bleachers. And their Names legion.