Evening star., 1935-01-27
Introducing Sloan Slack, {
greatest basketball player
in the only he hao
never been in a game!

Can he play basket ball?" Mike had inquired
tentatively.
That's what I'm telling you, Mr.. Flaherty.
He's wonder. Only he's never been in a game
lust a minute Borleske's emissary had
~ entreated. "Just second until go over
the multiplication table to see if I'm nuts or
not. You say he's flash player-only hes
never played basket ball in his life?"
THAT'S right" the principal had assured Mike
I've seen him in the gymnasium at the noon
hour. He can shoot baskets from any place on
the floor-all sorts of weird angles But we
never could get him the team. He said he
had TO go home and work and couldn't stay for
practice after school"
Maybe he doesn't like the game" ventured
Mike. And if guy don't like it why
He does, though. He'd rather shoot bas-
kets than eat. 1 understand he's got ball
at home, and a regulation basket rigged up in
the barn"
That" said Mike "is the fellah I'm after"
So this chill morning, with some Acme Lodg-
ing House oatmeal under his belt Mike bounced
over a series of frozen ruts to the Slack farm.
When he arrived and debarked from BorleSke S
fivver he heard strange noises in the Slack
barn; and, investigating, he discovered the
Slack lad-a rangy 6-footer-languidly Gre
ating ringers" with a dexterity that made
Mike talk to himself
At first Sloan Slack suspicious, then in
terested. He did want to go to college, but he
wasn't sure about basket ball If he went to
college he wanted to get an education. So Mike
tried another tack. We'll, just come along
and we'll argue about that afterward. I amt
saying you have to play. I'm only saying we
got this extra free scholarship and heard you
was the fellow that deserved it,
That softened the 6-footer bit, and then
Mike spent a very bad hour with the senior
Slack-who hadn't been as far as high school
himself and wasn't too sure about the advan-
tages of an education. But reckon II Sloan
wants to go, and 1t don't cost nothlng why tneh
it's all right with me-
"Fine!" said Mike, turning with a beaming
countenance to the youth. Now were all SET
huhP Just pack up some duds in suit case and
hop into the car with me, eh?"
''Well-" said Sloan Slack. II don't know
whether want to be tearin' OF just like this. "
At which the elder Slack cackled. You see, +"
he explained, expectorating neatly from the
back porch, 1.-The boys pretty far gone on
girl that lives down the road piece. guess
he don't like to leave her"
This practically collapsed Mike, but only for
the fraction of minute. Gathering himself
he plunged Bring her along to college, too.
We got an extra free scholarship for coed
from this territory"
sloan's face lighted. Gould she come
honest?"
"she's got to come whether she's honest or
not!" cried Mike, and he meant it.
from the Acme depot he dispatched a tele-
gram which he hoped would soften the blow
at Borleske's end. 1t said: Bringing you q
honey that can make basket ball stand still
in midair but couldn't get him without his girl.
Please AK 1t up to get an extra free scholar
ship for dame named Elsie Dentfender."
Despite the advance wire, Mike entered
Borleske's office the next day with something
that for Mike, approached timidity. The coach
glared at him balefully.
"Who do you think you are Mike? Cupid?"
"Now don't crab until you see him. pleaded
Flaherty.
How about Elsie? Is she honey. too?"
"She's not hard to look at at ALL" admitted
Mike. IT don't blame this long lummox for
wanting to have her as trailer"
They'd better both be good. You almost
got me canned. You know we don't throw
scholarships out the windows around here
Where is this boy wonder?"
Mike looked at his watch. He's coming down
to the gym at two-any minute now. I told
him you wanted to see him shoot few baskets
But don't talk to him about playing in real
game. For some reason or other he shies at
that"
Mike was saved from what Borleske was
about to remark in view of this little secret;
for just at that moment the Acme wonder ap-
peared difidently in the doorway.
Hello. Slack" Borleske greeted him. sum-
moning his grin. Lets go out on tse 1ioor
and see what you can do with a round BALI
Borleske waved his hand That's enough,
SON. We'd like mighty we'll to have you prac-
tice with the team-just to show them a trick
or two. you know"