BATTING TO WIN
But, though things had started off with a rush in the seventh, they went
slower for Randall in the eighth, and one run was all that could be
gathered in. Holly Cross got to first, and managed to steal second and
third, while Kindlings Woodhouse and Bricktop ingloriously fanned. Sid
laid out a beautiful three-bagger, bringing in Holly with the run. Then
Tom was walked, much to his surprise, with Sid on third, and Joe Jackson
got a pass, thus filling the bases. Randall was wild, for it looked as
if a big play would be pulled off, but Jerry Jackson fanned, and the
three men expired on the bags.
"Hold 'em down, fellows! Hold 'em down!" pleaded Tom. "We only need four
runs to win the game, if we can keep 'em from scoring in their next two
whacks."
"If," remarked Phil cynically. "Ever see a white black-bird, Tom?"
"Oh, we'll do it!" declared Sid savagely.
Tom did manage to retire Boxer without a run, surpassing himself by the
excellence of his curves. He was more like himself now.
Then came the memorable ninth inning, which, when Dutch started it off
by fanning out, looked as if the end had come. It looked even more so
when Phil Clinton also whacked only the air and there was a curious hush
over the big crowd as Holly Cross walked to the plate.
"Now, Holly!" yelled Bean. "Another like you gave us before. There's
only two out!"
It looked rather hopeless, with two out, but Holly slammed out a single
bagger. Dan Woodhouse followed, and hit well, Holly getting to third in
the confusion. Then came Bricktop, his red hair all awry.
"For the love of Cæsar hit it on the nose, old man!" pleaded Tom.
"I'll do it for your sake, me lad," answered Bricktop calmly, and he
proceeded to swing on the ball. He knocked a hot little liner to
Langridge, and there was a groan as the pitcher, seemingly, caught it,
but it bounded out of his hands, rolled between his legs and when he had
picked it up Bricktop was at first, where he was called safe, though the
Boxer players protested it. Holly had started for home, but when he saw
Langridge stop the ball he ran back, and it was well he did so, for he
was now safe there, as was Dan Woodhouse on second.
The bases were full, there were two out, and it needed four runs to win
the game when Sid Henderson came up to the bat. He was as cool as if he
was the first man up in a small game, and not one on whom a championship
depended.
"Oh, Sid, old man, bat! bat! bat!" pleaded Tom in a low voice. "Bat to
win! It all depends on you, now!"
[Illustration: "BAT TO WIN! IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU!"]
Sid did not reply. He was watching Langridge narrowly, for he knew that
pitcher's tricks of old. Sid did not strike at the first ball, for it
was away to one side, but the umpire called a strike on him and there
was a howl of protest. It was quickly hushed. Langridge "wound up"
again, and sent in a swift one.
With an intaking of his breath Sid swung at it. Almost before he
connected his bat with the horsehide he was aware that he would make a
good strike. There was a sweetness to the resonant vibration of the
stick, as he cast it from him, and sprinted for first. He could not see
where the ball had gone, though he had had a momentary glimpse of it
going over center field, but he trusted to Tom, who was in the coaching
box at first, urging him on.
"Oh! Oh! Oh!"
"Pretty hit!"
"What a soaker!"
"Run! Run! Leg it, you old sock doger!" yelled the man with the two
pretty daughters, as he recklessly swung his silk hat in the air.
"A home run! A home run!" cried Phil, capering about, and hugging the
Jersey twins, one in each arm.
Upward and outward sped the ball, away, far away over the center
fielder's head. He ran back for it, became confused and began wildly
searching around in the deep grass of far outfield.
"Come on in! Come on in, everybody!" Tom was yelling, and swinging his
arms like the sails of an old windmill.
Holly raced over home plate, followed by Kindlings. Bricktop was racing
in from third, followed by Sid, who had made such a magnificent hit.
Bricktop tallied the tying run, and Sid was now running up from third,
running as he had never run before, for he felt that it all depended on
him now. The fielder had the ball by this time, and had thrown it to the
second baseman, who swung about and relayed it home, but it was just a
second too late, and Sid crossed the rubber on a grand slide. Four runs
in succession! Oh, how the Randallites did yell! How they howled! How
they stamped until the grand stands trembled, while as for the members
of the team they fairly smothered Sid!
But the game was not over yet. Tom Parsons was up next, and, though as
nervous as a girl, he managed to make a single off Langridge, much to
the latter's disgust, for he was being hooted and howled at almost to
the limit. Then Joe Jackson was struck out, and that ended Randall's
chances. But the score was 13 to 12 in her favor, and if they could
retire Boxer Hall without a run, the championship was theirs.
Tom did it. How, is Randall history now, and any "old grad" will gladly
relate it to you. How two men were struck out in almost less time than
it takes to tell it, and how Tom caught an almost impossible fly by
leaping high in the air as it was sailing over his head, and downed his
third man. And that was the end. Randall had won the championship.
Oh, what a scene there was on the diamond then! Of course, Boxer cheered
her rival, and then, hardly waiting for the answering compliment from
Tom's men, they filed to their dressing rooms.
"Oh, Sid, it was great! Great!" cried Tom, hugging his chum. "Simply
great, old man!"
"Up with him!" commanded Phil, and Sid was hoisted to the shoulders of
his fellows, and carted around, much to his embarrassment.
"A bully game! Whoop-de-doodle-de!" cried the man with the pretty
daughters.
"Oh, papa!" they cried protestingly, blushing at the notice attracted to
them.
"Let me alone!" he retorted. "Didn't my old college win? Wow! Wow! Wow!"
and he began to dance, while his daughters blushed more deeply. But who
cared?
The diamond was overrun with spectators, anxious to shake hands with the
victorious players, especially with Sid, who had batted the way to
victory.
Three pretty girls made their way through the press.
"Are congratulations in order?" asked one.
"Of course, Miss Tyler," answered Phil.
"Sure," added Tom, clasping the hands Ruth Clinton held out to him. Sid
stepped to one side, as Mabel Harrison came up. He was rather pale under
his tan.
"Come on, let's all go off and have some cream," proposed Phil. "Come
along, Sid, you and Miss Harrison----"
He paused in confusion, for he had, for the moment, forgotten the cloud
between the two. Mabel Harrison blushed, and was about to turn away, but
Sid stepped forward.
"I will only be too happy," he said, "if Miss Harrison will----"
"You know--you know----" she stammered in confusion. The six were
somewhat by themselves now, for the crowd had surged away.
"It's all right!" exclaimed Sid, and there was a joyous look on his
face. "I can, and I'm going, to explain everything, now. You needn't
hesitate about coming with me, Miss Harrison. See this," and he held out
a duplicate of the newspaper clipping that had been fraught with such
results. "I don't wonder you fellows thought I was going the pace,"
continued Sid, "nor do I blame you, Miss Harrison, for not believing in
me. This is the first chance I've had to explain. I was in that gambling
raid told of here."
"You were?" and the girl recoiled a pace.
"Yes," resumed Sid, with a little smile, "I went there to rescue my
cousin. His name is Guy Norton, and he is the same flashily-dressed
young man you saw me with at the picnic. Guy's father died a short time
ago, leaving him a fortune, which he proceeded to get rid of as quickly
as possible. He took to gambling, and fast company, though his widowed
mother never knew it. She supposed him attending to business in
Dartwell, but, instead, Guy was dissipating. His sister, Clara, knew
of it, however, and wrote to me to try to save her brother. She
came to Dartwell to help look after him, and boarded with him. I had
considerable control over Guy, for we used to be little chaps together,
and I once saved him from drowning, so he would generally do as I said.
So I promised his sister I would save him, and gave my word not to tell
anything about it, as she wanted to keep all knowledge from her mother,
who had a weak heart, and who, she knew, would die if she ever knew her
son was a gambler.
"My first service was to take Guy out of a gambling hall, his sister
having written me a hasty note to the effect that he had gone there with
a large sum of money."
"That piece of paper, with the word 'trouble' on it must have been from
her note," remarked Phil. "We picked it up in the room, after you went
out so quickly that rainy night, Sid."
"Yes," assented the victorious second baseman, "Guy was in trouble, sure
enough. I went to Dartwell, and managed to get my cousin to leave the
place, just before the raid. As we went out, however, the police came
in, and Guy and I were caught. He fought the officers, and called out my
name, in asking me to help rescue him. Instead I advised him to submit.
He was taken away, but I easily proved that I had nothing to do with the
gambling, and I was allowed to go. I went to Guy's boarding place, and,
from his sister, got money enough to pay his fine, together with some I
had. In some way my name got in the papers. Guy might have recklessly
given it instead of his own, thinking to keep the knowledge from his
mother.
"My cousin was released the next morning, but he made me promise never
to tell of his scrape. That was what sealed my lips. He promised to
reform, if I kept silent, and I did, though it was hard--terribly hard,"
and Sid looked at Miss Harrison, in whose blue eyes there were traces of
tears.
"As I knew Guy's mother had a weak heart, and that the least shock might
be fatal, I dared not even ask her advice. Clara and I decided to fight
it out alone. She arranged to send me word by a messenger, whenever her
brother went off with his gay companions, and I promised to go and bring
him away, no matter what the hour.
"I did go, many times, to your wonderment, Tom and Phil, and once I had
to cancel a promise I made to take Miss Harrison to an affair. But I
could not break my word. On one occasion Guy, who was not himself,
recklessly came to the college seeking me. He had a bottle of liquor
with him, and I took it away from him, hurrying him back to Dartwell.
But Mr. Zane caught me, and, as I was on my honor to Guy and his sister
to keep silent, I could not explain. I took my punishment, being barred
from the team, and kept still, though it was hard--very hard."
"You were a hero!" exclaimed Mabel Harrison, her blue eyes bright with
admiration.
"Oh, no, hardly that, I guess," answered Sid, but he smiled gratefully.
"Well," he resumed, "so it went on. I dared not tell, for I had given my
word, though I was sorely tempted that day he came for me at the picnic,
and nearly disgraced me. But Guy would not release me, and his sister
pleaded for just a little longer try at saving him, and I consented. I
paid his gambling debts many times, and, often, it left me temporarily
without money.
"Things looked very black, Guy would not heed my requests to stop
gambling, and I did not care what happened. I even went to Bascome's
dinner, thinking to get away from my troubles. Then, when everything
seemed to go by the board, and I had been expelled for being caught
out late, when I had gone one night to get Guy away from reckless
companions, he suddenly reformed. He met some girl, I believe, who had a
hand in it. At any rate he turned over a new leaf, gave up his gambling,
and, what relieved me, confessed everything to his mother.
"She was much affected, but she forgave him, and is to take him abroad
this week, to straighten him out. That was the end of my thralldom.
To-day Guy went with me to Dr. Churchill, made a clean breast of it,
told what I had done, and why, and before the assembled members of the
faculty, proved my innocence. It was just in time to allow the lifting
of the expulsion ban, and permit me to play--only I had a task to get
here in time----"
"But you did, old man!" cried Tom, seizing his chum's hand--only one,
however, for, somehow Mabel Harrison had the other. "You were in time to
help us bat to win! Sid, can you forgive us?"
"Forgive? There's nothing to forgive," declared Sid, and his eyes were
moist. "I don't blame you in the least for thinking I was doing the very
things I was trying to save my cousin from. Many a time I went broke on
his account, but I didn't mind, for he was worth saving, for the sake
of his mother and sister, if not for himself. He's all right now, I
believe, and thoroughly ashamed of himself."
"Thanks to you," put in Madge Tyler.
"Oh, I think you were perfectly splendid, Mr. Henderson!" cried Ruth
Clinton, with shining eyes.
Mabel Harrison did not say what she thought, but the look from her blue
eyes was enough for Sid. He held her hand, and--Oh, well, what's the use
of telling on a chap, anyhow? You'd have done the same, I guess, if you
had been there.
There was a little pause after Sid had finished his story, and all about
sounded the victorious yells and songs of the exulting Randallites.
"Well, are you ready for those plates of cream, now?" asked Phil.
"Talking is dry work. So that was your secret, Sid?"
"That was it, and hard enough it was to keep, too, at times, let me tell
you," and the second baseman sighed.
A little later a jolly party sat in an ice-cream parlor, and their merry
laughter and jests brought smiles to more than one countenance, as the
other guests looked on and listened.
"Why do you suppose Mr. Langridge sent that false clipping from the
newspaper to you--I mean the one about Sid?" asked Ruth of Mabel.
"Oh, I--I don't know--exactly," answered the blue-eyed girl, but I
suspect that she did know, but did not want to say, for she was done
with Langridge forever.
"Now for college, and a procession in honor of our victory, the loving
cup, and Sid Henderson--with bonfires and feasting on the side,"
remarked Captain Tom, a little later, when reluctant good-bys had been
said to the girls. And the celebration in Randall that night was marked
for years afterward in prominent letters in the college annals. Dr.
Churchill made a thrilling speech, and even Professor Tines condescended
to smile. The loving cup was carried at the head of a triumphant
procession, the light from many gala-fires glinting from its polished
surface.
"Well, it's all over," remarked Tom, several hours later when he, Phil
and Sid were together in their room. "My, but it has been a baseball
season, though!"
"A great one," commented Phil. "We've got a corking good team. I only
hope we have as good a one when it comes time to kick the pigskin."
"Oh, I guess we will," spoke Sid slowly. They did, as will be related in
the next volume of this series, to be called "The Winning Touchdown," a
tale of college football in which we shall meet all our old friends
again.
"Well," went on Sid, after a pause, "I don't know what you fellows are
going to do, but I'm going to turn in. I'm dead tired after my long
tramp," and he began to get ready for bed, while Tom and Phil, sitting
by the open windows, listened to the shouts of the revelers out on the
campus, for many had not yet had enough of the joys of victory. Then, as
the captain threw himself on the old couch, and Phil curled up in the
easy chair, the fussy alarm clock went off with a whirr, the bell
jangling discordantly.
"Time to get up, Sid, instead of going to bed," remarked Phil with
a laugh, as he silenced the racket, and then the three chums--the
inseparables--stood and looked at each other, while the clock resumed
its interrupted ticking, and the shouts of the celebrators came in
faintly on the night wind.
THE END
THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES
BY LESTER CHADWICK
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_
_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_
[Illustration]
_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._
1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS
_A Story of College Baseball_
Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall
College.
2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK
_A Story of College Football_
A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to
grip the reader from the start.
3. BATTING TO WIN
_A Story of College Baseball_
Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on
Randall College team. There is a great game.
4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN
_A Story of College Football_
After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes
a touchdown that won a big game.
5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL
_A Story of College Athletics_
The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely
exciting.
6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS
_A Story of College Water Sports_
Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track,
gridiron and diamond.
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SEA STORIES FOR BOYS
BY JOHN GABRIEL ROWE
_Large 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Colored jacket_
_=Price per volume, $1.00 Net=_
[Illustration]
_Every boy who knows the lure of exploring and who loves to rig up huts
and caves and tree-houses to fortify himself against imaginary enemies
will enjoy these books, for they give a vivid chronicle of the doings
and inventions of a group of boys who are shipwrecked and have to make
themselves snug and safe in tropical islands where the dangers are too
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1. CRUSOE ISLAND
Dick, Alf and Fred find themselves stranded on an unknown island with
the old seaman Josh, their ship destroyed by fire, their friends lost.
2. THE ISLAND TREASURE
With much ingenuity these boys fit themselves into the wild life of the
island they are cast upon in storm.
3. THE MYSTERY OF THE DERELICT
Their ship and companions perished in tempest at sea, the boys are
adrift in a small open boat when they spy a ship. Such a strange
vessel!--no hand guiding it, no soul on board,--a derelict.
4. THE LIGHTSHIP PIRATES
Modern Pirates, with the ferocity of beasts, attack a lightship
crew;--recounting the adventures that befall the survivors of that
crew,--and--"RETRIBUTION."
5. THE SECRET OF THE GOLDEN IDOL
Telling of a mutiny, and how two youngsters were unwillingly involved in
one of the weirdest of treasure hunts,--and--"THE GOLDEN FETISH."
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THE JACK RANGER SERIES
BY CLARENCE YOUNG
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_
_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_
[Illustration]
_Lively stories of outdoor sports and adventure every boy will want to
read._
1. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL DAYS
_or The Rivals of Washington Hall_
You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is bright and
cheery, and earnest in all he does.
2. JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP
_or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_
This volume takes the hero to the great West. Jack is anxious to clear
up the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance.
3. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES
_or Track, Gridiron and Diamond_
Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts of school
games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field.
4. JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE
_or The Wreck of the Polly Ann_
How Jack was carried off to sea against his will makes a "yarn" no boy
will want to miss.
5. JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB
_or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail_
Jack organizes a gun club and with his chums goes in quest of big game.
They have many adventures in the mountains.
6. JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX
_or The Outing of the Schoolboy Yachtsmen_
Jack receives a box from his father and it is stolen. How he regains it
makes an absorbing tale.
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_Everybody will love the story of_
NOBODY'S BOY
By HECTOR MALOT
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The dearest character in all the literature of child life is little Remi
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All love, pathos, loyalty, and noble boy character are exemplified in
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it. The boy or girl who knows Remi has an ideal never to be forgotten.
But it is a story for grownups, too.
"Nobody's Boy" is one of the supreme heart-interest stories of all time,
which will _make you happier and better_.
_4 Colored Illustrations. $1.50 net._
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THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS
(_Le Roi des Montagnes_)
By EDMOND ABOUT
_Translated by Florence Crewe-Jones_
_Illustrated by George Avison_
_12mo. Illustrated. Beautiful cloth binding, stamped in gold. Jacket in
colors._
_=Price $1.50 Net=_
[Illustration]
Edmond About's classic masterpiece of whimsical humor, romantic action
and wild surroundings, appeals to all classes and ages of readers. The
lawless, happy-go-lucky bands of the Grecian mountains, bargaining with
prisoners and government officials in a kind of uncivilized traffic,
affords the uncertainty in adventure which makes delightful reading for
boy or man.
Hadji Stavros is the never-to-be-forgotten representative of the right
to get without limits. To him the only injustice or error in life was
in being weak, in which any unselfishness was weakness. And yet, he
allowed his love for his daughter to overthrow his system of life. To be
entertained by "The King of the Mountains" as a dramatic story is not
enough, it is a profound study of character and life.
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York
THE WEBSTER SERIES
By FRANK V. WEBSTER
[Illustration]
Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author,
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up-to-date.
Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various
colors.
Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.
Only A Farm Boy
_or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_
The Boy From The Ranch
_or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_
The Young Treasure Hunter
_or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_
The Boy Pilot of the Lakes
_or Nat Morton's Perils_
Tom The Telephone Boy
_or The Mystery of a Message_
Bob The Castaway
_or The Wreck of the Eagle_
The Newsboy Partners
_or Who Was Dick Box?_
Two Boy Gold Miners
_or Lost in the Mountains_
The Young Firemen of Lakeville
_or Herbert Dare's Pluck_
The Boys of Bellwood School
_or Frank Jordan's Triumph_
Jack the Runaway
_or On the Road with a Circus_
Bob Chester's Grit
_or From Ranch to Riches_
Airship Andy
_or The Luck of a Brave Boy_
High School Rivals
_or Fred Markham's Struggles_
Darry The Life Saver
_or The Heroes of the Coast_
Dick The Bank Boy
_or A Missing Fortune_
Ben Hardy's Flying Machine
_or Making a Record for Himself_
Harry Watson's High School Days
_or The Rivals of Rivertown_
Comrades of the Saddle
_or The Young Rough Riders of the
Plains_
Tom Taylor at West Point
_or The Old Army Officer's Secret_
The Boy Scouts of Lennox
_or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_
The Boys of the Wireless
_or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_
Cowboy Dave
_or The Round-up at Rolling River_
Jack of the Pony Express
_or The Young Rider of the Mountain
Trail_
The Boys of the Battleship
_or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_
CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK
_The Boy Hunters Series_
_By Captain Ralph Bonehill_
12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid.
[Illustration]
FOUR BOY HUNTERS
_Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_
A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of
game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill's
best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out.
GUNS AND SNOWSHOES
_Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_
In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the
shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their heart's content, and
have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and take
notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and
the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter.
YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE
_Or, Out with Rod and Gun_
Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a
good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series.
OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERA
_Or, The Boy Hunters in the Mountains_
Takes up the new fad of photographing wild animals as well as shooting
them. An escaped circus chimpanzee and an escaped lion add to the
interest of the narrative.
CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK
THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES
By CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON
12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.
All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to
peruse these books. Captain Carson knows his subject thoroughly, and his
stories are as pleasing as they are healthful and instructive.
[Illustration]
THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES
_or Lost on Thunder Mountain_
Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise
in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered.
THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON
_or The Hermit of the Cave_
A weird and wonderful story of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, told in
a most absorbing manner. The Saddle Boys are to the front in a manner to
please all young readers.
THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS
_or After a Treasure of Gold_
In this story the scene is shifted to the great plains of the southwest
and then to the Mexican border. There is a stirring struggle for gold,
told as only Captain Carson can tell it.
THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH
_or In at the Grand Round-up_
Here we have lively times at the ranch, and likewise the particulars of
a grand round-up of cattle and encounters with wild animals and also
cattle thieves. A story that breathes the very air of the plains.
THE SADDLE BOYS ON MEXICAN TRAILS
_or In the Hands of the Enemy_
The scene is shifted in this volume to Mexico. The boys go on an
important errand, and are caught between the lines of the Mexican
soldiers. They are captured and for a while things look black for them;
but all ends happily.
CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK
Transcriber's Notes:
--Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in
bold by "equal" signs (=bold=).
--Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently
corrected.
--Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.