Rival Pitchers of Oakdale

actice. He saw Springer take a turn at pitching, to be followed finally by Rodne

England lads had been led, through the reading of a certain brand of Western literature, to believe that all Texans, and especially those who dwelt upon ranches, must be of the "wild and woolly" variety. Perceiving this at last, Rod had proceeded to amuse himself not a little by assuming a false air

en, unable longer to endure the insults heaped upon him, the restraint of the young Texan snapped like a bowstring, and the boys of Oakdale found that a sleeping lion had suddenly awakened. Then it came to be known that Grant had inherited a most unfortunate family failing, a terrible temper, which, when uncontrolled, was liable

ne save himself, remained silent. Not that he had not come, like others, suddenly to regard the young Texan with respect; but for one of his envious nature respect does not always mean liking, no throb of w

ime to batters. Several times he made in his throat a faint sound like a muttered growl of satisfaction,

doing anything. They're pou

mixing in a curve. Behind the pan Eliot would hold up his big mitt first on one corner then the other, now high, now low, and almost invariably the ball came

aised. "That's one of the most esse

leachers. "What's that amount to, if a f

ront of the plate, and they exchanged a few words in low tones, after which Roger ret

s shoulders and missed. He let two wide ones

was still umpiring. "Look out o

he next pitched ball, which seemed to be the kind he especially relished. To his surprise

aughed Sage. "H

rlin. "That was a dandy drop,

straight over, and Berli

ise surprised to be struck out, Grant

ou put on the old ball, anyhow? Pitch? Well,

delightedly. "I'll have him delivering t

red Hooker. "You'r

e bench, and near them stood Herbert Rackliff, a city boy who

a vivid hue and usually of silk. His highly-polished russet shoes were scarcely browner than the tips of two fingers of his right hand, which outside of school hours were constantly dallying with a cigarette. He had rings and scarf pins, and a gold watch with a

hers, when Rackliff, having lighted a fresh c

" saluted the city yout

retorted Ho

ing the animals perform. I came over to kill a little time,

self," said Hooker, desc

where Roy hastened to strip off his baseb

d the city lad, lingering near. "You don't mind

le with glee? That's what made me sore. Then what's the use for me

"I've noticed that on all these athletic te

isn't going to let me do any pitching. Wants to bury me out in right garden, the

the position, anyhow," said Herbert. "He h

im he can't

ons, it seems. He's surely become the real warm baby around h

ptain," ob

"that he was greatly surprised in the showing Grant had made and was not at a

ing Grant, so the cowboy can act as second pitcher and help him out; but, if he realized he might be trai

chap with real sense is going to be dunce

ed Hooker in sudden satisfaction. "They're mighty thick now, but there

essly drop a hint to

en eyes were fixed inqui

o much interest," he wonder

so," he admitted. "Are you ready? Let's g

the street together. Hooker had conceived

appened to come to school he

Herbert, extending an open

m, thank you,"

d a fresh one from t

have you? Well, I'll own up that it wasn't my choice. I'm not very eager about burying myself a

father sen

ert's old man sent him down there, and my gover

? Who's

y. He's a chap who can really pitch

r wh

nature of our little difficulty wouldn't interest you; but we got into a high old scrape, and were both expelled from school. When I found Dade's old man was going to

n't kn

it was like, and I presume he fancied I'd be good and safe down here, w

around here, if you tried hard enough," said

t, choosing his favorites for the team? Besides, I don't think I'd care

ge against Grant.

h that sent little puffs of smoke belching from his lips.

ing about it, but I haven't any use f

outside the milkmaid class. Lela Barker is it-in italics. Still, I'm going to admit that I don't think her taste and discernment is all it shoul

ed Hooker, grinning a bit fo

me! All the same, it's a bit provoking to see people slobbering over him, especia

r, "there's a bond of