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Show N TUB THE BEE CHAMPIONSHIP. Ily Frank H. Sweet. Dire Cinutcrnatlon seized upon the member of the lilllview Base Hall Club, when It became known that Charlie Flake would not bo able to pitch (or them on the momentous 4th ot Au-a- if I'm not mistaken, Snaggles la to me pinner pu,smon. ly. Just the man we want, But fur a lime the IMUilew labored Oh, pshaw! Get under a disadvantage; they were nerv Come, now! out! Youre Joking! Why, he a outs and excited, while their oppouenta regular scarecrow! rose an Indignant .chorus on all sides. Cant help it, fellows," Rodger were In a tight place. , said, sturdily, Weve worked for that championship three years, and now that it' In sight Andrews, Tom Vllea got to, cried jit would be bad policy to let It slip break It will fellows, away. I dont know a fellow who can excitedly; why, us all up If be don't. take Blake' place, unless Its Srag -Can't be helped . said Jack Rodg- gles." But he don't know bow," protested ers, dismally, "his folks are going to course, of a the disconcerted Bill. moe long way off, and, as I'm not so sure. He's been on that bo's got to go with thtm. lie's just much cutup about It as we are. fence watching us every practice day They looked at each other with for the last six weeks. If he has never blank, lengthening faces. They had played, he must have a pretty good Idea been working hard for three years to bow It Is done. Hello, Snaggles! The caricature on the fence sprang win the county championship, and had contest lightly down, and came toward them, always been scored out of the before the season was half over. But with a peculiar, loping gait that car this year the fortunes of the I till vlewa ried him rapidly over tho ground. But seemed to be on the rise. They had be paused six or eight yards away, as played better, and one by one had beat- though suspicious of their Intentions. en all the clubs except the Watersides; Oh, come on, called Rodgers, Imof club and with. this crack, champion patiently, nobodys up to any game. No even. Ever play ball? was score their the county wonder that every lilllview heart Snaggles grinned and shook his head. Think you could learn? thrilled at the thought of the 4th of and The red head bobbed vigorously, and August, and of possible victory; no wonder that there was consterna- & quick, wondering glow spread over face. Evtion and dismay on every face when the cadaverous, It was learned that their only good idently to play ball was Just now the height of Snaggles ambition. pitcher was going to leave. We want somebody who can pitch .''Might as well give up, grunted a kicked Just where he alms for, and who can Bill Grove, as he spitefully stone from his path; "we cant do any- run fast, and who ain't afraid of red-hballs. thing without a crack pitcher to put Snaggles grinned and held up his up against Hopkins, of the Watermembers big, horny hands. sides; and most of the I guess they wont be feared to agreed with him. Who is the best pitcher among us? grab anything In reach, he chuckled, asked Rodgers, feeling that his posi- "an Ive often watched you fellers who tion as captain demanded an extra ef- couldnt strike a ball, an thought if I We want a was pltchln Id throw sos to hit the fort to rally the club. quick-eye- d fellow, who bat an save you the bother o strikin. An for runnin wall, Ive chased rabcan send In a ball like a thunderbolt. on bits the mountain, an cotched em, Bill grunted derisively. d and too. If youll drop the Brags a good dog, muttered Bill. thunderbolt, he said, I guess maybe Go out into the field and I will send the club can' furnish a few quick eyes. But whats the matter with Snag- you up a few flies, ordered Rodgers, gles? I've seen him split an inch board and then well practice some regular games. Well soon see what youre with his fist. Most of them laughed and glanced made of. at a queer figure sitting on the fence, Theyremained in the field until it a few yards away. Snaggles had come was too dark to play, and by that time down from a remote part of the moun- all the members had acquiesced in tains a month 6r two before, and as yet Rodgers views. Even Bill acknowlhad apparently been unable to assim- edged that being in a circus was not ilate all the wonders around him, for oo much to pay for a possible victory his mouth was continually open, as over the Watersides. Snaggles had acthough trying to grasp the flood of new quitted himself gloriously, and he Ideas that was surging toward him. walked with them down the street, He was very tall and ungainly, and proudly conscious that , he had been admitted to the charmed circle of his very prone to make himself the laughing-stock most ambitious dreams. of whoever he came in contact with; but he was gentle, obligIt lacked but two weeks to the 4th None of August, and all their spare time ing, and invariably of the boys associated with him, except was now devoted to practice. Snagoccasionally as a joke, and to make gles was given the position of pitcher, him the butt of their ridicule. The and watched anxiously, for on his play Idea that he should be admitted to the would depend much of their possible select membership of the Hillview success. At first he was a little awkBaseball Club was something that none ward and but within a of them had ever entertained. week had established himself in the , Now, X wouldnt wonder if he was boys confidence, and thoroughly faJust the man you want, Rodgers, Bill miliarized himself with the game. Eviwent on, sarcastically. He can throw dently he made baseball the study of a stone stralghter than some of us can his thoughts by day and dreams by shoot. Ive seen him knock a squirrel night. He was seldom seen without a off the top of a tree a hundred feet ball, which was Incessantly making exhigh; and as for running gee whiz! perimental trips into the air in all manonce he gets them legs to going, nothner of curves and twists. One day he ing short of a rifle ball can catch him. invented a peculiar curve, which filled And he would be a prime ad. We the boys with enthusiastic delight. If could have a baseball club and circus the Watersides did not catch on to it, all, jn one. was the unanimous verdict, they would As he expected, most of the boys have no show for the championship. laughed again; only Jack Rogers seemAt last the momentous day arrived, ed to take the banter seriously, for a and the Hillviews and 'Watersides met sudden gleam came into his eyes and on the field, the one eager and hopeful, he glanced across to where Snaggles and the other confident and supercilwas intently watching them. ious. The visiting club went to the I believe youve struck the nail on bat first, and there were many broad the head this time, Bill, if you never smiles exchanged among them as the did before,, he exclaimed. ernnhotniaJ- - ungainly Snazeles hurried exDectantly U good-nature- d ot hard-hande- d, hard-hande- good-nature- d. self-conscio- -- us, were calm and uonchalant. eigiitii lllimigh writ ties, ami when the Waterside went to the hat on the ninth there was little said by cither sine. 'this inning wouia probably decide the championship., : Those In the field were now silent aud watchful. The basemen leaned slightly forward, with their eye fixed on the batsuieu; aud the short-sto- p advanced or receded, and according to their estimate of the different batsmen. Snaggle had ceased grinning and chuckling, but hi long, cadaverous face was even moro grotesque In Its soberness than In its mirth. He sent In his balls with studied care and force, and Imparted to them all tne puzzling curve ho was The close of the fifth Inning found the score to 4 In favor of the Watersides. This wont do. remonstrated Rodg MUU MO I era, as the Hillvlewaeattered toward their respective positions In the field, weve gut to brace up. You made an awful muff that last time, Bill. Just take the halls easy and dont get ex cited. And you. Green, don't stand so far from your tase. Youve already let two men In by that carelessness. Let's see If we cant keep them from getting a run this Inning. Give them some more of your twisters. Snaggles, and dont be afraid of powder. And now, fellows, all of you remember that on the next four Innings depends the championship. Break your fingers and legs If you want to, hut dont make any more muffs or wild throws. This admonition, or the fact that the members of the visiting club were beginning to have a expression, appeared to have a marked effect. The lilllview played better, and were more concerted In action. A hot ball, sent by Snaggles to the second base, and from there passed on to the third, and then home, made a double play, and put out two men. A Ufl-fleld- er master of. But. in spite of all their watchfulness and care, the Watersides made another run. which brought their score up to seven. We must do some tall playing now', fellows, said Rodgers, gravely, as the Hillviews came In from the field, It la our very last chance. It was his turn at the bat, and he made a hit that carried him to the second; then Bill came with his usual luck of a foiil and out Things began to look serious, and Snaggles went to the bat under a fire cd of admonitions. Just do your prettiest, old fellow, moment later Williams, the catcher, entreated Andrews. Make a hit that adroitly took a foul tip from the strikers bat, and so the Watersides went back Into the field without adding to their score. It was now Bills turn at the bat, and the apprehension of his companions was presently Justified by his being caught out on a foul. Then came Snaggles, and as he awkwardly took his position, the pitcher of the Watersides delivered his ball with more confidence than usual. It would be easy to put that fellow out, he thought. The first ball was passed, but the second was met by a quick, sharp blow, which sent it over the head of the short-stoand over the head of the r, who was running backward with his arms raised frantically in the air, and far out Into the grass, beyond the limits of the ball ground. will let Rodgers In, If you can. That will tie us. Snaggles nodded, and, with body bent and nerves tense, did do bis prettiest. The first two balls were parsed, but the third seemed to suit him, for there was another of those quick, sharp strokes, which sent It out Into the and grass, beyond the short-sto- p But this time they had made some preparation, for when he went to the bat they had hurried farther out Into the field. By the time he reached the second base theyhad recovered the ball and passed It to the third, and from there It went swiftly to the catcher. But it came in just a second too latd .Even as It touched the catchers haidS rRodgers threw himself forward upon the home base. This made the score even. Before It could be recovered and Hooray! yelled the crowd of specthrown to the pitcher Snaggles had tators, enthusiastically, hooray! hoomade the circuit of the bases and was ray! back receiving the congratulations of If they could get one more run the his friends. championship would be theirs, but it Whew! Rodgers heard one of the was Andrews turn at bat, and both Watersides ejaculate, I wonder where he and Bill were dubs. Howrever, with they picked up that streak of light-ninu- r. d Snaggles on the second, there was good reason to hope. Alter Snaggles came Andrews, with Andrew's passed the first ball, and base-hi- t, which carried him to the second; and Green, who was sent to his struck wildly at the second, hitting it first on called balls. Then a short, so that It flew directly into the hands Green did .better, muscular fellow, named Thompson, of the short-stomade a hit, which took him to the gaining the first base and giving Snagfirst, and Green to the second, and let gles an opportunity to reach the third. The pitcher of the Watersides now Andrews in. But the next batter made another foul, and by some miscalcu-atio- n tried to draw the two runners into both Thompson and Green were danger by feigning pitching. Andrews put out before they could regain the was standing several yards behind the )ases they had vacated. That closed first base, ready to run backward or the sixth inning, and the score was forward, as occasion demanded; and even. Snaggles occupied a similar position near the third. The pitcher made a sudden step forward and brought back his arm, as though about to deliver the ball; then whirled quickly, and threw it to the third baseman. But Snaggles was not to be caught. When the ball arrived he was back on the jase. Then the ball shot to the second and found Andrews half way that basc and the first. He saw lis mistake, and started to run back, jut the ball passed over his head and hen the two basemen' closed in- on him. But the few Intervening seconds the umpire called Out! was sufficient for Snaggles. ' He saw Andrews start dowrn the line, and had an instinctive conviction that he would be A FEW SECONDS SUFFICED. put out. As the ball left, the hands of left-field- er. p, left-fielde- long-legge- p. be-we- en - . be-'o- re |