The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1934-03-02
Uncle Henry
BY TOM GIBBONS
g. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

DAT SPENCER slowed the car to
stop and took quick glance at the
gray-haired old man beside her. The
traffic light changed to green and she
shifted gears and the car started for
ward. BY the set of his shoulders and
the lines around his mouth, Pat de-
cided that Uncle Henry Spencer was
not in q good mood
Uncle Henry and his niece, Pat,
were the last of the Spencer clan Of
Hillcrest. They lived In the big fam
lily mansion and Uncle Henry exerted
all his stern influence to dominate the
attractive, youthful Pat She In turn
tried to modernize him and make the
home more coZy. AS a result, they
were more than often engaged In heat
ed debates over trif1es, which were
mutually enjoyed by both.
Uncle Henry. let's stop at the ball
game-we're just in time," Pat looked
at her watch. The crowds were lined
up at the ticket windows.
"It isn't the ball game that you're
interested in, young lady. It's just
that good-for- nothing ball player, Hank
Weddell"
"Why don't you like Hank? He
makes good salary. and he's nice
young fellow. Besides that he's been
darned nice to me-" Pat admitted.
"Humbug! ball player-no bet
ter than an actor
Uncle Henry, / just happened to
think, Hank won't be playing today.
He pitched yesterdays game"
"All right, then well go in. / al
ways liked ball games until that young
fool turned me against them," Henry
Spencer grunted.
AS the usher showed them to their
seats, Pat smiled to herself-as If the
width of the ball diamond could sep
arate Hank from her!
Watching the players warming up,
Pat kept keen watch, hoping to see
Hank somewheres on the field
"Oh. look There's the home team
coming out on the field" Pat an
nounced to her uncle.
well, what do you want me to do?
Stop them? Or give three cheers?
That's what they're paid for, isn't it?"
After her uncle's sarcasm, Pat
didn't attempt further conversation
during eight innings. She watched
the game In silence and after the
eighth inning she looked at the score
board with satisfaction. Two runs
had been scored by the opponents to
the three runs for the home team.
She was satisfied. 1t looked like a
sure victory for Hillcrest. The pitcher
had been throwing neat curves which
had the opponents baffled. Three up
and three out, then home, Pat figured.
Now that the game was almost over,
she was anxious to get home.
The crack Of the bat against the ball
caused Pat to drop her powder puff
and take renewed interest in the
game. The runner was rounding sec
ond, started to third, but decided he
couldn't make Ii and returned to sec
ond. Pat watched the game intently
and Uncle Henry was chewing an
other cigar vigorously.
Another hit and we're done for 7"
Uncle Henry gasped, his eyes centered
on the home plate.
That's pinch hitter coming In"
Pat said rather eXcitedly. "They call
him 'Home-Run Charlie"
"A home run right now will settle
our hash" Uncle Henry's eyes were
shining. "One man on base, no outs
and a pinch hitter at bat Wow. it
looks bad for Hillcrest!" he groaned.
A swift grounder dashed from the
bat, the runner made first easily and
the man at second advanced to third.
The crowd roared Pat was on the
edge Of the bench. They were chang
ing pitchers and man with a mega
phone announced: Hank Weddell
now pitching for Hillcrest"
Joan turned to her uncle He i'm
mediately frowned suspiciously and
chewed at his cigar.
Hank walked to the center of the
diamond and dug down In the pitchers
mound with his spiked shoes. A few
preliminary throws and he stood fac
ing the man at bat. Three times his
arm went up with that swinging mo-
ton and three times the umpire
called: "Strike !"
Uncle Henry lost all his antagonism
for the young pitcher and he joined
the shouting in the stands. Alta boy,
Hank Come on, kid Give 'em some
more! Just two more times like that |!
You can do it, old boy" Uncle Henry
kept up his cheering, oblivious of the
happy Pat who watched him with evil
dent amusement.
The next man up at bat swung at
the first one, hit 1t up, the ball bound
ed in the air. Hank, like flash, was
under it. He was waiting for 1t and
he caught it safely In his glove.
Uncle Henry turned to the man next
to him, and with broad smile said
THAT young mans friend of my
niece's! He's a great ball player,
isn't he?" And with that Uncle Henry
sat back on the bench, well pleased
with the world.
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