Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05

of police in Northridge Tor more tnan
ten years, which was almost as long
as Bill could remember Northridge
was not q very big town. and the CHIEF
49, of police was a man of great impor-
lance particularly in the eyes OF the boys OF
Bils age.
Perhaps that is one reason why Bill had
ALWAYS been the acknowledged juvenile leader
of the town There is no doubt that he gained
a lot Of prestige in the eyes Of his companions
because every policeman-although there were
not many in Northridge-spoke to him on the
street. and because he could drop into the
station and exchange jokes with Sergt Kelly.
who sat behind the desk Even Charles Dun
can whose father owned the sand bank north
Of town and reputed to be wealthy did
not stand as high in the estimate OF his
friends as did Bill.
The fact that Bills father was chief of
notice was not the only reason for his leader
ship Bill was Just naturally good at all those
accomplishments that are important 70 boy.
He could hit q base ball farther than any other
player who joined in the games on the old
ball field he could swim like a hsh and dive
clearly and gracefully and he was clever
enough with his fists that his position as
leader was never seriously disputed
DILL had held this position for so long that
~ 1t seemed quite natural to him, and he
never took advantage Of it. Nevertheless, he
was immensely proud of his father, mad any
one who would have dared to suggest that any
man I'M Northridge was as important as Chief
Caldwell would have found himself up against
n great deal of trouble in the shape OF Bill
Bill was therefore not at all disturbed when
he first heard that new family was moving
to Northridge. He hardly paid any atten-
ton when his father telling his mother
about It that night at dinner The Caldwells
were very much interested, for 1t happened
that the new family was going to move into
the old Thompson home, right next door TO
the modest house in which the Caldwels lived
ct understand they will be here tomorrow,
Chief Caldwell said. There will be Mrs.
Towne and the two children. OF course Mr..
Towne won't be here much during the Sum-
mer, but they say he'll be here after the base
ball season Is over.
At the word base ball" Bill pricked up his
ears He turned to his father.
why won't Mr.. Towne be here during the
base ball season." he inquired. His father
looked at him in amazement.
why Bill didn't I tell you?" Chief Cald-
well exclaimed This Mr.. Towne is Eddie
Towne, the big league base ball manager, and
one Of the greatest players the game ever saw.
That Is, he of the greatest until he
quit playing few years ago, and became a
manager"
GOSH" narveled Bill II didn't know 1t
was that Mr.. Towne."
That's Just who it is" said Chief Caldwell.
"The Townes have bought the old Thompson
house, and the family will live there all the
year round. I guess Eddie Towne has saved
more Of his money than most ball players, and
is pretty well fixed. You and his son ought to
be great pals, Bill
Bills eyes opened even wider. '1s one OF his
children a boy?" he demanded. "A fellow my
age?"
Just about your age" his father nodded.
That's Fred. The other Is a boy, too, but he's
Just little fellow, or years old, think"
DILL was suddenly silent. new boy was
u coming to town, and that new boys
father was a big league base ball manager!
Even Bill, who thought that no man in the
world could equal his own father in importance