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Show MB WAGNER CAME NEAR GOINO M VAUDEVILLE- Larry Lajolo, the Cleveland Americans' Ameri-cans' great second baseman, almost went Into vaudeville last fall. Ho was willing and anxious, so anxious that ho tried to Induce Hans Wagner to go on tho stago with him. Hans promised and then backed out, and thereby hangs a talc. Bill Gray, secretary of the Now 'York National league club and formerly a theatrical manager, had a batting act for Larry. Wagner. Cobb and Collins. Ho had a machine that tested tho speed of a ball off tho bat. A ball was thrown up automatically In front of the batter, who hit It toward a target. Accuracy In hitting the target and the speed of the ball was shown. There was to be nightly batting contests between be-tween the four big stars. Here is the talo of Hans' promlso and refusal to be an actor as told by Larry: "Gray and I went to Carnegie to lino up Hans. Hchad promised Gray to go on the stage, but did not answer Gray's letters and telegrams. Everybody Every-body In Carnegie knew Hans, but they never saw him. "We ran across Hans' brother Al and asked him when Hans would bo home. 'Pretty soon,' said Al. 'Ho never stays out after dark.' "Hans came Just at dusk muddy and In old clothes, fresh from the chase. Ho was tickled to sco us and accepted Gray's offer, which was $500 a week for him, $25 a week and traveling travel-ing expenses for his brother Al, whom Hans wanted as his companion on tho road. "It was all fixed. Gray and I thought. A contract was left with Hans, which ho was to sign and send to me. "Hans was a little shy about signing to be an actor until Gray told him all ho would have to do was walk on the Btagc. his bat In one hand and his cap In the other. 'When tho people applaud, ap-plaud, take off your cap.' said Gray. 'Then take your bat and hit tho ball a half dozen times.' "Four days later I got a letter from Hans. It rad: " 'Dear Larry I'd like to take up your offer, but I can't stand traveling. It makes mo 111,' "And ho novcr replied to my telegrams tele-grams and letters," |