THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, i9i2.
i
Converted
To Baseball
Hater of the Game Taken
In Hand by Cupid
By CLARISSA MACKIE
"Baseball!" cried Bertha Wyntt
scornfully. "I hate the very nauio of
tho ffamo."
"Whnfe Uio matter with baseball"
demanded her brother Bob.
"Baseball affaln," paid Uerthn crisp
ly. "Just imagine giving an entire
page to sports, something no one Is in
terested in, nnd then cutting tho fash
Ion ptiffe to half its usual size."
"It's tho bret novrs and the best
sport thcro W declartxl her brother,
rising from tho harumock. "If you'd
only come up to the Held, Bertha, ntul
see n game you'd change your mind."
"I don't want to chango my mind,"
said bis sltor coldly.
Bob put on his cap and went whis
tling down tho path to the gate, where
ho waited for tin- big stage which was
to convoy the Pomcroy nluo to High
hill Add. The nine from tho hotel
TIott) yon ever seen a came?" asked
Btrattoa eagerly.
"No, and I trover want to," said Bco
tha mirmly. "While I exonerate you
from cnreletwnetts, for I am afraid 1
am treepasslns here, I've always been
nfrnhl of being struck by n utrny ball,
nnd now" She hexltated, and he
flnlnhed the nentcnre with n laugh be
hind liis brown oyes.
"And now It has Impelled at last,"
lw wld solemnly.
Sho Iauglcd in 'spite of the sickening
Pln that suddenly nttnekrd her.
"Now It bas happanod," she repeated.
Stratton stood aslde.to allow her to
pass by. lie had a tall, well knit 11s
uro clad In a basobnll suit of spotless
white with crimson letters aerom the
breast. Bertha's swift glance from
under her long lashos took In tho fine
figure, the handsome bronzed face
above It and tha careless mop of chest
nut hair towwd bank from a nice fore
head. What a delightful man he inlsbt
do to know If he wasn't so (kvotod to
that wretched baseball, she thought.
As she nodded a farewell and called
the dog to heel sho hoard the voice of
Jim calling from the field:
"Two o'clock, nilary Stratton! Game
called at 3, you know."
"Coming!" yclltd Stratton, but when
Bertha turned at tho bend of the rond
and looked back ho was still standing
there watching her, and his hand went
up to the place where his cap ought to
have been.
When Bertha reached the main road
she saw that, according to a white
I MATTY TELLS ONE ON UM
flKt fcMSLIE.
would probably come up In fast drlv-' Painted sign at tho entrance of the prl
Ing motorcars.
a. no Biage stoppeu, ana Bob wa
added to Its yelling passengers. Then
the crle9 died away with tho creakln
of the stage, and nil was very quiet
It was very dull and loncl there
now that Bob had gone. Most of Ber
tha's friends were baseball enthus;
OVi.uwc.tvB '
"BY JOVE I" EXCLAIMED A DIS1IATED
VOICE, "BID TUAT BALL HIT YOU?"
asts and might have been found wend
ing their way toward Illgh hill that
lovely summer afternoon.
After awhile Bertha laid aside tho
embroidery she had attempted and de
cided to go for a walk. She started
down the road leading to the bay, nnd
just before reaching it turned aside
and walked under the tall oaks.
The trees grew thinner, and there
was the glimpse of nn open Held be-
yonu on wntcu several forms wore
moving about Bertha looked once
nnd retreated, but she was too late to
escape tho stinging blow of the flying
ball. It struck her sunshade nnd,
breaking through the thin silken tex
ture, stunned her for an instant with
Its impact against her neck.
With a little cry she sank in a heap
on the ground and leaned her head
against a brown tree trunk.
She did not hear eager footsteps ap
proaching in search of the missing
ball, which now lay at her feet beside
the mined sunshade.
"By Jovcr exclaimed n dismayed
voice. "Did that ball hit you? I hope
you arc not hurt"
Bertha looked up with startled eyes
and lips from which pain had driven
all tho color. She still felt a little
dnzed from the severe blow which she
had received from the ball, and so she
did not answer at once.
"I am afraid you are badly hurt,"
he persisted anxiously. "If you feel
like telling me Just where"
"It struck mo right here," said Ber
tha with nn effort. "It mndo me diz
zy for a moment, but I shall be all
right again. Down, Ponto!" for the
big dog was licking the softly rounded
neck with his pink tongue.
"I'm very sorry," tho stranger was
beginning when a manly voice came
from tho ball ground beyond and cut
his words short.
"Say, Stratton, If you can't And that
ball, Dicky has another one here."
"All right, Jim; I'll be there In n
moment. 1'vo got the ball. Keep
cool." And then to Bertha he resum
ed; "Shall I send you home? I can
have a car up from tho garage iu three
minutes."
"No, thank you. I feel quite recov
ered now," assured Bertha as she
arose to her feet and picked up her
parasol.
"Did tho ball do that?" asked Strat
ton, pointing to tho ragged hole In the
silk covering,
"Yes, but you needn't feel bad
about It It's an old one," laughed Ber
tha, calling Ponto from bis chase of a
bright eyed squirrel. "The incident
has only confirmed my bad opinion of
baseball," sho added.
The young man's face lengthened.
"You don't caro for tho game?" ho nak
ed. "Why, Ifs tho greatest game
over!"
"So my brother Bob thinks, but I
dont think J should bo Intonated In It
at all."
vate road, she had been trespassing on
the property of S. II. Stratton, which,
the sign paid, was "strictly forbidden
under penalty of the law."
i vc suucrcu tnc penalty," murmur
ed Berthn as sho realized her stiffen
ing neck and surveyed her ruined sun
shade. "How I hato that silly game.
and yet ho did look handsome In that
uniform. I wonder If he's going to
play this afternoon."
Just as she reached home her sister,
Mrs. Brooke, whirled up to tho gate
in the tiny runabout that was tho de
light of her heart. Anna Brooko lean
ed from the car and called to her sis
ter: "Any use asking you to come to tho
ball game, Bertha?"
Bertha liesitated and Tom Brooke
laughed good naturedly, quite misun
derstanding the sudden confusion in
the girl's face. "Never mind, Bortha;
we knew you wouldn't come. We ask
ed you out of politeness anyway. Too
bad, though, you can't get up an Inter
est in the national game. You'll bo
awfully lonesome through life if you
don't"
"Stop teasing the child, Tom," pro
tested his wife. "If she doesn't want
to go, never mind. Goodby, dearie."
"I do want to go," announced Ber
tha suddenly. "Perhaps I really ought
to see a game before I decide a good
game, you know," she osplalued with
flushed cheeks as they helped her Into
the rumble seat.
This will be a good game, all right.
with Ililary Stratton pitching for the
hotel boys. I tell you, girls, Ponier
oyll get swatted today all right."
"Who la Hilary Stratton?" asked
Bertha in a very small voice. And
then her sister and brother-in-law pro
ceeded to enlighten her.
She learned that Stratton was tho
son of an iron king who had recently
bought a thousand acres of Pomcroy
land and erected a flno house thereon.
She also learned that miary, the only
son, was a baseball enthusiast, no
had pitched for his college nine, and
his reputation was country wide. No,
he was not a professional player. lie
was in business with his father, but
he played occasionally now. and todav
ho was to play for tho hotel boys.
uertna was very silent, but not un
happy. She had learned a great deal
about baseball that afternoon, and phe
was destined to team moro about that
game and another gamo of which sho
knew not tho first rudiments.
It was a great afternoon. It was n.
glorious contest, but tho most aston
ishing thing waa that when tho hotel
boys batted tho Potncroys out of tho
gamo and Bortha Wyntt tried to sym
pathize with her brother she failed to
feel nnything but pride in the deeu
chested Stratton, who afterward came
up to talk to Tom Brooke Hnd was In
troduced to his llttlo sister-in-law.
"A deudly foe to the national came."
said Tom Jocosely. "Nevertheless I
detected her shamelessly rootlug for
your side, Mr. Stratton."
Hilary Stratton scarcely concealed
his surprise at sight of Bertha Wyntt,
but he asked after her injury nnd beg
ged to replace tho broken sunshade
with another one. But nertha shook
her sunny head.
"It would make mo feel lots better."
he urged. "A red and white Darn-
sol" Those wero his colors, nnd Her.
tha tried to look unconscious of the
fact as she gently refused It.
If Stratton was surprised to see tho
fair hater of baseball there, her broth
er Bob was "clean flabbergasted," as
he expressed It.
"What in thunder came over you?"
he demanded suspiciously. He turn
ed to the others nnd added trium
phantly: "I talked to her llko a Dutch
uncle about it, and I beliovo I've con
verted her. I wish your first gamo
hadn't witnessed our licking!"
Before the summer was ended Ber
tha Wyntt became the greatest base
ball "fan" in Pomeroy. Sho could dis
course in tho language of tho diamond
in a manner that compelled her broth-
Bob's outspoken admiration, but
after awhile Bob ceased to flattor him
self that he had been tho oao to con
vert his pretty sister. It was plain
to ovory one that Hilary Stratton was
heols over head In lovo -with Bertha
and that they wcro both learning the
little mime in which Cunld Is the nm.
nlro and lore always wins.
Veteran National League Um
pire Bob Emslie is very soikIUto
bout the lack of hair on top of
his dome, nnd Christy Mnthew
son tolls nn amusing slorv In
connection with It. Kuislle was $
umpiring in New York otic day,
and tho Giants were playing SU f
Louis. A wild pitch lilt Kmslle $
over the heart, and lie wilted
down, unconscious. The players
gathered around him. and Bres-
nnhan, who was eatrhitig for St. ;
Louis at the time, started to help
Bob.
Suddenly the old umpire came X
to and started to tight off his tlrst j
aid to the Injured corps. No one 'X
could understand his attltudo as ;
ho struggled to his feet and '
strolled nway by himself, stag- 'f
gerlng a little and apparently A
dizzy. At last he came back and
gamely finished the business of '
3! tho day.
"I never know why he fought
with the men who wore trying to &
V help him until several weeks lat-
& rr, when we were playing In X
T Pittsburgh," says Mathewson.
j "As I came out from under the
SJ stand Hmslle happened to be g
making nn entrance. a
X "'Say. Mntty.' he asked me, T
v 'that time In New York did my t
5 wig come off? Did Brcsnahnn
take my wig off?'
X " 'No, Bob,' I replied. 'He was
Jj only trying to help you.'
2, " '1 thought maybe ho took It
T off while I was out and showed
& me up before the crowd.' he apol-
X oglzed.
2 " 'Listen. Bob,' I said. I don't
believe there Is a player In el-
ther league who would do that
X now, and If nny youngster tried
it he would probably be licked.'
4 that, Matty,' answered tho old f
5 man as he picked up his wind
f pad nnd prepared to go to work.
& And he called more bad ones on
me that day than he ever had In
his life before, but I never men-
tloned that wig."
FIRE SALE!
OF
VALUABLE HARDWARE
! AT
ERK BROS.
The following articles, which is a partial list of goods for sale, aro
jgood condition and have been reduced about one-half of the original price:
in
I
PICKS UP ANOTHER WALSH.
Frank Chance Enthusiastic Over Young
Pitcher Larry Cheney.
Tho Chicago National league fans be
lieve Manager Chance has discovered
n second Ed Walsh in Spltballer Larry
Cheney, who has shown up well this
season. Among those who are loud In
singing his praises Is Johnny Evers.
"This Cheney is a smart pitcher."
he said. "Unless I miss my guess the
Cubs are going to have an Ed Walsh
in him. That's what wo need a
Walsh. Give us one like tho mighty
southslder and we'll romp home with
the pennant and the world's title.
"Cheney, though not quite as large
as Walsh, has the same effective spit
ball and the same dazzling speed. His
control is not quite as good as Walsh's,
but that will come with experience.
I think their deliveries are almost
Identical. They pitch with the same
motion, wet, or fall to wet the ball in
the samo deceptive way and arc almost
In the samo position when the ball
leaves their hands for the plate. Che
ney's splttor has as big a jump as
Walsh's, and the batters miss Is just
as far when Larry has it going right
Watch Cheney."
AD WOLGAST WEALTHY.
Lightweight Champion Worth $137,000.
Looking For Matches.
Ad Wolgast, the lightweight pugilist
champion, is deploring tho fact that,
even though ho has $137,000 in cash
and Becuritles, he has not made more
in tho two years ho has held tho cham.
plonshlp.
"It will be different from now on,"
said Wojgast "If I whip Rivers July
4 I am going to do some redhot cam
paigning. I'll box McFnrland, Wells,
Brown, Mehegan and Mandot before
next Christmas. These fights should
bring mo big money, and you bet I will
savo the coin. No moro throwing nway
dollars for mo.
"Itivers is a good boy, but I'll lick
him, sure. I know all about his style,
ne is a fast and hard puncher, but
none too speedy on his feet.
"After the Itivers fight I'll tnke on
the bunch ns fast as they come at me.
I'll never retire so long as I hold the
title, but will keep on fighting until I
get n kick that lands me on the floor.
I don't beliovo in a champion retiring."
First column original, second sale price :
8ffi :::::::::::::::::::::::: :;. vm.!? ' S
1 npVo 6c por lb. at 3c por lb.
w- i? n i 3015 etc. each
Milk Pans 1C 0G . .
Galvanized Palls "ft
sweeping compound- : : : : : : : : : 1,2G27c75
Nickel Tea and Coffeo Pots '$125 C 5c each
JIammers and Hatchets 6035 oach
Leather halt soles . . . ' '20-?10 nor nr
Belting at greatly reduced prices. luporpr.
,?,f"'i; 2.10 50c each
xw 03 120.00 S10.00 each
w,CPPOrS $2.001.35 each
Mt Sifroa 35c 10c each
Metal Polish 50c 30c can
15c 07 each
2 U original prlco
Pocket Knives COc 25c each
j-?1"8, $2.50 $1.00 each
Padlocks 4 0c 15c each
Bathroom Fixtures at greatly reducod prices.
liuiiu JO J.
Poultry Supplies at greatly reduced prices.
nuns, at greauy rouucea prices.
Furniture Polish 25c 15c uottlo
Varnish Stains at greatly reduced prices.
Shot Guns at greatly reduced prices.
Hunting Coats 2 "5 1 25 rich
Shot Gun Shells .V.V.V.V. r"c0c -tooTox
S"vlo,K SetS 3.B0 $1.50 sot
5' "S"iml,fi $1.00 60c each
-Sc lb.
oan ouis 7rc r0
Mw. Pott's Sad Irons ! ! ! ?i.l5 - 85c
Asbestos Irons $1 75 $1 5
Kalsomine Brushes 7.7.".! !!!!!.. $1 00 40c
Ax and All Kinds Hdls. at greatly reduced prices.
Barn Door Hangers 75c 40c
Stovo Clay 35c to 25c per pkg!
Stovo C ay 25c t0 15c. per k
Stovo Clay 15c to 0Sc per k
Fishing Tacklo at greatly reduced prices.
Steel Traps 35c o0c
Bread Mixers $2 00 $l"5
Stewart Clipping Machines, original price $7.50;' s'aio"p'r'ice ".' $5.'io
ERK BRO
Baumann Building Next to Leine's
South Main Street.
S
Menner & Co.
M M H M M
ill G
real 50110
SHOWING OF
Menner & Co.
Rugsg Carpets, Linoleums, Portiers9
Lac Curtains, Curtain Nets,
and Scrims
are now displayed on our second and third fSoors
Wilton Ru
gs
FORTUNE FOR FIRST SACKER.
For
Montreal Team Wants $10,000
Youngster Gandil.
Manager Griffith of the Washington
Americans has given up all hope of
landing Gnndll, tho star first baseman
of the Montreal team. Scout Kahoe,
who looked tho youngster over this
spring, believes hlin to bo one of tho
best ball players in the league, but
becauso of tho efforts that other clubs
are making to secure him his prlco has
soared so high that thero is hardly a
chance for Washington to compete for
his release.
Tho Chicago National league club
will most likely land Gandil, and it
will bo at a flguro near to $10,000 and
several players, but It Is doubtful if
this deal will be mndo before tho fall.
Montreal Is anxious to retain Gandil as
long as possible.
Catcher Lapp In Good Form.
Lapp of the Athletics will bo hard
to beat for catching honors this year.
Ho la throwing like a Bhot,
Tl I x . .
i no idrgesi ana most complete assortment of these rugs we ever had for
your selection. Only the best dependable qualties in newest styles
and colorings ; every size can be obtained from 18X36 in to the larg
est room size.
Body Brussel Rugs
III. I A fl .
vu are snuwing inese rugs in many new colors and designs. We have
a large variety to select from. 27in. by 54in. up to lift. 3in. by 15
feet.
Axminster Ross
We carry all sizes in stock in different qualties from mat sizes to large
ruoui aues. inspection inviiea.
Tapestry Brussel Rugs
Seamed and seamless, in new styles and colors. Big selection, and in
qualities that will stand the hardest of wear. Sizes 6X9, 7-6X9, 8-3X10-6
9X12, 11-3X12.
Menner & Go's Stores