THE BUSHER COMES BACK.
_San Francisco, California, May 13._
FRIEND AL: I suppose you and the rest of the boys in Bedford will be
supprised to learn that I am out here, because I remember telling you
when I was sold to San Francisco by the White Sox that not under no
circumstances would I report here. I was pretty mad when Comiskey give
me my release, because I didn't think I had been given a fair show by
Callahan. I don't think so yet Al and I never will but Bill Sullivan
the old White Sox catcher talked to me and told me not to pull no boner
by refuseing to go where they sent me. He says You're only hurting
yourself. He says You must remember that this was your first time up
in the big show and very few men no matter how much stuff they got
can expect to make good right off the reel. He says All you need is
experience and pitching out in the Coast League will be just the thing
for you.
So I went in and asked Comiskey for my transportation and he says
That's right Boy go out there and work hard and maybe I will want you
back. I told him I hoped so but I don't hope nothing of the kind Al.
I am going to see if I can't get Detroit to buy me, because I would
rather live in Detroit than anywheres else. The little girl who got
stuck on me this spring lives there. I guess I told you about her Al.
Her name is Violet and she is some queen. And then if I got with the
Tigers I wouldn't never have to pitch against Cobb and Crawford, though
I believe I could show both of them up if I was right. They ain't got
much of a ball club here and hardly any good pitchers outside of me.
But I don't care.
I will win some games if they give me any support and I will get back
in the big league and show them birds something. You know me, Al.
Your pal, JACK.
_Los Angeles, California, May 20._
AL: Well old pal I don't suppose you can find much news of this league
in the papers at home so you may not know that I have been standing
this league on their heads. I pitched against Oakland up home and shut
them out with two hits. I made them look like suckers Al. They hadn't
never saw no speed like mine and they was scared to death the minute
I cut loose. I could of pitched the last six innings with my foot and
trimmed them they was so scared.
Well we come down here for a serious and I worked the second game. They
got four hits and one run, and I just give them the one run. Their
shortstop Johnson was on the training trip with the White Sox and of
course I knowed him pretty well. So I eased up in the last inning and
let him hit one. If I had of wanted to let myself out he couldn't of
hit me with a board. So I am going along good and Howard our manager
says he is going to use me regular. He's a pretty nice manager and
not a bit sarkastic like some of them big leaguers. I am fielding my
position good and watching the baserunners to. Thank goodness Al they
ain't no Cobbs in this league and a man ain't scared of haveing his
uniform stole off his back.
But listen Al I don't want to be bought by Detroit no more. It is all
off between Violet and I. She wasn't the sort of girl I suspected. She
is just like them all Al. No heart. I wrote her a letter from Chicago
telling her I was sold to San Francisco and she wrote back a postcard
saying something about not haveing no time to waste on bushers. What
do you know about that Al? Calling me a busher. I will show them. She
wasn't no good Al and I figure I am well rid of her. Good riddance is
rubbish as they say.
I will let you know how I get along and if I hear anything about being
sold or drafted.
Yours truly, JACK.
_San Francisco, California, July 20._
FRIEND AL: You will forgive me for not writeing to you oftener when you
hear the news I got for you. Old pal I am engaged to be married. Her
name is Hazel Carney and she is some queen, Al--a great big stropping
girl that must weigh one hundred and sixty lbs. She is out to every
game and she got stuck on me from watching me work.
Then she writes a note to me and makes a date and I meet her down on
Market Street one night. We go to a nickel show together and have some
time. Since then we been together pretty near every evening except when
I was away on the road.
Night before last she asked me if I was married and I tells her No and
she says a big handsome man like I ought not to have no trouble finding
a wife. I tells her I ain't never looked for one and she says Well you
wouldn't have to look very far. I asked her if she was married and she
said No but she wouldn't mind it. She likes her beer pretty well and
her and I had several and I guess I was feeling pretty good. Anyway I
guess I asked her if she wouldn't marry me and she says it was O.K. I
ain't a bit sorry Al because she is some doll and will make them all
sit up back home. She wanted to get married right away but I said No
wait till the season is over and maybe I will have more dough. She
asked me what I was getting and I told her two hundred dollars a month.
She says she didn't think I was getting enough and I don't neither but
I will get the money when I get up in the big show again.
Anyway we are going to get married this fall and then I will bring her
home and show her to you. She wants to live in Chi or New York but I
guess she will like Bedford O.K. when she gets acquainted.
I have made good here all right Al. Up to a week ago Sunday I had won
eleven straight. I have lost a couple since then, but one day I wasn't
feeling good and the other time they kicked it away behind me.
I had a run in with Howard after Portland had beat me. He says Keep on
running round with that skirt and you won't never win another game.
He says Go to bed nights and keep in shape or I will take your money.
I told him to mind his own business and then he walked away from me. I
guess he was scared I was going to smash him. No manager ain't going to
bluff me Al.
So I went to bed early last night and didn't keep my date with the kid.
She was pretty sore about it but business before plesure Al. Don't tell
the boys nothing about me being engaged. I want to surprise them.
Your pal, JACK.
_Sacramento, California, August 16._
FRIEND AL: Well Al I got the supprise of my life last night. Howard
called me up after I got to my room and tells me I am going back to the
White Sox. Come to find out, when they sold me out here they kept a
option on me and yesterday they exercised it. He told me I would have
to report at once. So I packed up as quick as I could and then went
down to say good-by to the kid. She was all broke up and wanted to go
along with me but I told her I didn't have enough dough to get married.
She said she would come anyway and we could get married in Chi but I
told her she better wait. She cried all over my sleeve. She sure is
gone on me Al and I couldn't help feeling sorry for her but I promised
to send for her in October and then everything will be all O.K. She
asked me how much I was going to get in the big league and I told her I
would get a lot more money than out here because I wouldn't play if I
didn't. You know me Al.
I come over here to Sacramento with the club this morning and I am
leaveing to-night for Chi. I will get there next Tuesday and I guess
Callahan will work me right away because he must of seen his mistake in
letting me go by now. I will show them Al.
I looked up the skedule and I seen where we play in Detroit the fifth
and sixth of September. I hope they will let me pitch there Al. Violet
goes to the games and I will make her sorry she give me that kind
of treatment. And I will make them Tigers sorry they kidded me last
spring. I ain't afraid of Cobb or none of them now, Al.
Your pal, JACK.
_Chicago_, _Illinois, August 27._
AL: Well old pal I guess I busted in right. Did you notice what I done
to them Athaletics, the best ball club in the country? I bet Violet
wishes she hadn't called me no busher.
I got here last Tuesday and set up in the stand and watched the game
that afternoon. Washington was playing here and Johnson pitched. I was
anxious to watch him because I had heard so much about him. Honest Al
he ain't as fast as me. He shut them out, but they never was much of a
hitting club. I went to the clubhouse after the game and shook hands
with the bunch. Kid Gleason the assistant manager seemed pretty glad to
see me and he says Well have you learned something? I says Yes I guess
I have. He says Did you see the game this afternoon? I says I had and
he asked me what I thought of Johnson. I says I don't think so much of
him. He says Well I guess you ain't learned nothing then. He says What
was the matter with Johnson's work? I says He ain't got nothing but a
fast ball. Then he says Yes and Rockefeller ain't got nothing but a
hundred million bucks.
Well I asked Callahan if he was going to give me a chance to work
and he says he was. But I sat on the bench a couple of days and he
didn't ask me to do nothing. Finally I asked him why not and he says
I am saving you to work against a good club, the Athaletics. Well the
Athaletics come and I guess you know by this time what I done to them.
And I had to work against Bender at that but I ain't afraid of none of
them now Al.
Baker didn't hit one hard all afternoon and I didn't have no trouble
with Collins neither. I let them down with five blows all though
the papers give them seven. Them reporters here don't no more about
scoreing than some old woman. They give Barry a hit on a fly ball that
Bodie ought to of eat up, only he stumbled or something and they handed
Oldring a two base hit on a ball that Weaver had to duck to get out of
the way from. But I don't care nothing about reporters. I beat them
Athaletics and beat them good, five to one. Gleason slapped me on the
back after the game and says Well you learned something after all. Rub
some arnicky on your head to keep the swelling down and you may be a
real pitcher yet. I says I ain't got no swell head. He says No. If I
hated myself like you do I would be a moveing picture actor.
Well I asked Callahan would he let me pitch up to Detroit and he says
Sure. He says Do you want to get revenge on them? I says, Yes I did.
He says Well you have certainly got some comeing. He says I never seen
no man get worse treatment than them Tigers give you last spring. I
says Well they won't do it this time because I will know how to pitch
to them. He says How are you going to pitch to Cobb? I says I am going
to feed him on my slow one. He says Well Cobb had ought to make a good
meal off of that. Then we quit jokeing and he says You have improved
a hole lot and I am going to work you right along regular and if you
can stand the gaff I may be able to use you in the city serious. You
know Al the White Sox plays a city serious every fall with the Cubs and
the players makes quite a lot of money. The winners gets about eight
hundred dollars a peace and the losers about five hundred. We will be
the winners if I have anything to say about it.
I am tickled to death at the chance of working in Detroit and I can't
hardly wait till we get there. Watch my smoke Al.
Your pal, JACK.
P.S. I am going over to Allen's flat to play cards a while to-night.
Allen is the lefthander that was on the training trip with us. He ain't
got a thing, Al, and I don't see how he gets by. He is married and his
wife's sister is visiting them. She wants to meet me but it won't do
her much good. I seen her out to the game to-day and she ain't much for
looks.
_Detroit, Mich., September 6._
FRIEND AL: I got a hole lot to write but I ain't got much time because
we are going over to Cleveland on the boat at ten P.M. I made them
Tigers like it Al just like I said I would. And what do you think, Al,
Violet called me up after the game and wanted to see me but I will tell
you about the game first.
They got one hit off of me and Cobb made it a scratch single that he
beat out. If he hadn't of been so dam fast I would of had a no hit
game. At that Weaver could of threw him out if he had of started after
the ball in time. Crawford didn't get nothing like a hit and I whiffed
him once. I give two walks both of them to Bush but he is such a little
guy that you can't pitch to him.
When I was warming up before the game Callahan was standing beside me
and pretty soon Jennings come over. Jennings says You ain't going to
pitch that bird are you? And Callahan said Yes he was. Then Jennings
says I wish you wouldn't because my boys is all tired out and can't
run the bases. Callahan says They won't get no chance to-day. No, says
Jennings I suppose not. I suppose he will walk them all and they won't
have to run. Callahan says He won't give no bases on balls, he says.
But you better tell your gang that he is liable to bean them and they
better stay away from the plate. Jennings says He won't never hurt my
boys by beaning them. Then I cut in. Nor you neither, I says. Callahan
laughs at that so I guess I must of pulled a pretty good one. Jennings
didn't have no comeback so he walks away.
Then Cobb come over and asked if I was going to work. Callahan told him
Yes. Cobb says How many innings? Callahan says All the way. Then Cobb
says Be a good fellow Cal and take him out early. I am lame and can't
run. I butts in then and said Don't worry, Cobb. You won't have to run
because we have got a catcher who can hold them third strikes. Callahan
laughed again and says to me You sure did learn something out on that
Coast.
Well I walked Bush right off the real and they all begun to holler on
the Detroit bench There he goes again. Vitt come up and Jennings yells
Leave your bat in the bag Osker. He can't get them over. But I got them
over for that bird all O.K. and he pops out trying to bunt. And then I
whiffed Crawford. He starts off with a foul that had me scared for a
minute because it was pretty close to the foul line and it went clear
out of the park. But he missed a spitter a foot and then I supprised
them Al. I give him a slow ball and I honestly had to laugh to see him
lunge for it. I bet he must of strained himself. He throwed his bat
way like he was mad and I guess he was. Cobb came pranceing up like he
always does and yells Give me that slow one Boy. So I says All right.
But I fooled him. Instead of giveing him a slow one like I said I was
going I handed him a spitter. He hit it all right but it was a line
drive right in Chase's hands. He says Pretty lucky Boy but I will get
you next time. I come right back at him. I says Yes you will.
Well Al I had them going like that all through. About the sixth inning
Callahan yells from the bench to Jennings What do you think of him now?
And Jennings didn't say nothing. What could he of said?
Cobb makes their one hit in the eighth. He never would of made it if
Schalk had of let me throw him spitters instead of fast ones. At that
Weaver ought to of threw him out. Anyway they didn't score and we made
a monkey out of Dubuque, or whatever his name is.
Well Al I got back to the hotel and snuck down the street a ways and
had a couple of beers before supper. So I come to the supper table late
and Walsh tells me they had been several phone calls for me. I go down
to the desk and they tell me to call up a certain number. So I called
up and they charged me a nickel for it. A girl's voice answers the
phone and I says Was they some one there that wanted to talk to Jack
Keefe? She says You bet they is. She says Don't you know me, Jack? This
is Violet. Well, you could of knocked me down with a peace of bread.
I says What do you want? She says Why I want to see you. I says Well
you can't see me. She says Why what's the matter, Jack? What have I
did that you should be sore at me? I says I guess you know all right.
You called me a busher. She says Why I didn't do nothing of the kind.
I says Yes you did on that postcard. She says I didn't write you no
postcard.
Then we argued along for a while and she swore up and down that she
didn't write me no postcard or call me no busher. I says Well then why
didn't you write me a letter when I was in Frisco? She says she had
lost my address. Well Al I don't know if she was telling me the truth
or not but may be she didn't write that postcard after all. She was
crying over the telephone so I says Well it is too late for I and you
to get together because I am engaged to be married. Then she screamed
and I hang up the receiver. She must of called back two or three times
because they was calling my name round the hotel but I wouldn't go near
the phone. You know me Al.
Well when I hang up and went back to finish my supper the dining room
was locked. So I had to go out and buy myself a sandwich. They soaked
me fifteen cents for a sandwich and a cup of coffee so with the nickel
for the phone I am out twenty cents altogether for nothing. But then I
would of had to tip the waiter in the hotel a dime.
Well Al I must close and catch the boat. I expect a letter from Hazel
in Cleveland and maybe Violet will write to me too. She is stuck on me
all right Al. I can see that. And I don't believe she could of wrote
that postcard after all.
Yours truly, JACK.
_Boston, Massachusetts, September 12._
OLD PAL: Well Al I got a letter from Hazel in Cleveland and she is
comeing to Chi in October for the city serious. She asked me to send
her a hundred dollars for her fare and to buy some cloths with. I sent
her thirty dollars for the fare and told her she could wait till she
got to Chi to buy her cloths. She said she would give me the money back
as soon as she seen me but she is a little short now because one of
her girl friends borrowed fifty off of her. I guess she must be pretty
soft-hearted Al. I hope you and Bertha can come up for the wedding
because I would like to have you stand up with me.
I all so got a letter from Violet and they was blots all over it like
she had been crying. She swore she did not write that postcard and said
she would die if I didn't believe her. She wants to know who the lucky
girl is who I am engaged to be married to. I believe her Al when she
says she did not write that postcard but it is too late now. I will let
you know the date of my wedding as soon as I find out.
I guess you seen what I done in Cleveland and here. Allen was going
awful bad in Cleveland and I relieved him in the eighth when we had a
lead of two runs. I put them out in one-two-three order in the eighth
but had hard work in the ninth due to rotten support. I walked Johnston
and Chapman and Turner sacrificed them ahead. Jackson come up then
and I had two strikes on him. I could of whiffed him but Schalk makes
me give him a fast one when I wanted to give him a slow one. He hit
it to Berger and Johnston ought to of been threw out at the plate but
Berger fumbles and then has to make the play at first base. He got
Jackson all O.K. but they was only one run behind then and Chapman was
on third base. Lajoie was up next and Callahan sends out word for me
to walk him. I thought that was rotten manageing because Lajoie or no
one else can hit me when I want to cut loose. So after I give him two
bad balls I tried to slip over a strike on him but the lucky stiff hit
it on a line to Weaver. Anyway the game was over and I felt pretty
good. But Callahan don't appresiate good work Al. He give me a call in
the clubhouse and said if I ever disobeyed his orders again he would
suspend me without no pay and lick me too. Honest Al it was all I could
do to keep from wrapping his jaw but Gleason winks at me not to do
nothing.
I worked the second game here and give them three hits two of which was
bunts that Lord ought to of eat up. I got better support in Frisco than
I been getting here Al. But I don't care. The Boston bunch couldn't of
hit me with a shovvel and we beat them two to nothing. I worked against
Wood at that. They call him Smoky Joe and they say he has got a lot of
speed.
Boston is some town, Al, and I wish you and Bertha could come here
sometime. I went down to the wharf this morning and seen them unload
the fish. They must of been a million of them but I didn't have time to
count them. Every one of them was five or six times as big as a blue
gill.
Violet asked me what would be my address in New York City so I am
dropping her a postcard to let her know all though I don't know what
good it will do her. I certainly won't start no correspondents with her
now that I am engaged to be married.
Yours truly, JACK.
_New York, New York, September 16._
FRIEND AL: I opened the serious here and beat them easy but I know you
must of saw about it in the Chi papers. At that they don't give me no
fair show in the Chi papers. One of the boys bought one here and I seen
in it where I was lucky to win that game in Cleveland. If I knowed
which one of them reporters wrote that I would punch his jaw.
Al I told you Boston was some town but this is the real one. I never
seen nothing like it and I been going some since we got here. I walked
down Broadway the Main Street last night and I run into a couple of
the ball players and they took me to what they call the Garden but it
ain't like the gardens at home because this one is indoors. We sat
down to a table and had several drinks. Pretty soon one of the boys
asked me if I was broke and I says No, why? He says You better get some
lubricateing oil and loosen up. I don't know what he meant but pretty
soon when we had had a lot of drinks the waiter brings a check and
hands it to me. It was for one dollar. I says Oh I ain't paying for all
of them. The waiter says This is just for that last drink.
I thought the other boys would make a holler but they didn't say
nothing. So I give him a dollar bill and even then he didn't act
satisfied so I asked him what he was waiting for and he said Oh
nothing, kind of sassy. I was going to bust him but the boys give me
the sign to shut up and not to say nothing. I excused myself pretty
soon because I wanted to get some air. I give my check for my hat to a
boy and he brought my hat and I started going and he says Haven't you
forgot something? I guess he must of thought I was wearing a overcoat.
Then I went down the Main Street again and some man stopped me and
asked me did I want to go to the show. He said he had a ticket. I asked
him what show and he said the Follies. I never heard of it but I told
him I would go if he had a ticket to spare. He says I will spare you
this one for three dollars. I says You must take me for some boob.
He says No I wouldn't insult no boob. So I walks on but if he had of
insulted me I would of busted him.
I went back to the hotel then and run into Kid Gleason. He asked me
to take a walk with him so out I go again. We went to the corner and
he bought me a beer. He don't drink nothing but pop himself. The two
drinks was only ten cents so I says This is the place for me. He says
Where have you been? and I told him about paying one dollar for three
drinks. He says I see I will have to take charge of you. Don't go round
with them ball players no more. When you want to go out and see the
sights come to me and I will stear you. So to-night he is going to
stear me. I will write to you from Philadelphia.
Your pal, JACK.
_Philadelphia, Pa., September 19._
FRIEND AL: They won't be no game here to-day because it is raining. We
all been loafing round the hotel all day and I am glad of it because
I got all tired out over in New York City. I and Kid Gleason went
round together the last couple of nights over there and he wouldn't
let me spend no money. I seen a lot of girls that I would of liked to
of got acquainted with but he wouldn't even let me answer them when
they spoke to me. We run in to a couple of peaches last night and they
had us spotted too. One of them says I'll bet you're a couple of ball
players. But Kid says You lose your bet. I am a bellhop and the big
rube with me is nothing but a pitcher.
One of them says What are you trying to do kid somebody? He says Go
home and get some soap and remove your disguise from your face. I
didn't think he ought to talk like that to them and I called him about
it and said maybe they was lonesome and it wouldn't hurt none if we
treated them to a soda or something. But he says Lonesome. If I don't
get you away from here they will steal everything you got. They won't
even leave you your fast ball. So we left them and he took me to a
picture show. It was some California pictures and they made me think of
Hazel so when I got back to the hotel I sent her three postcards.
Gleason made me go to my room at ten o'clock both nights but I was
pretty tired anyway because he had walked me all over town. I guess we
must of saw twenty shows. He says I would take you to the grand opera
only it would be throwing money away because we can hear Ed Walsh for
nothing. Walsh has got some voice Al a loud high tenor.
To-morrow is Sunday and we have a double header Monday on account of
the rain to-day. I thought sure I would get another chance to beat the
Athaletics and I asked Callahan if he was going to pitch me here but he
said he thought he would save me to work against Johnson in Washington.
So you see Al he must figure I am about the best he has got. I'll beat
him Al if they get a couple of runs behind me.
Yours truly, JACK.
P.S. They was a letter here from Violet and it pretty near made me feel
like crying. I wish they was two of me so both them girls could be
happy.
_Washington, D.C., September 22._
DEAR OLD AL: Well Al here I am in the capital of the old United States.
We got in last night and I been walking round town all morning. But I
didn't tire myself out because I am going to pitch against Johnson this
afternoon.
This is the prettiest town I ever seen but I believe they is more
colored people here than they is in Evansville or Chi. I seen the White
House and the Monumunt. They say that Bill Sullivan and Gabby St. once
catched a baseball that was threw off of the top of the Monumunt but I
bet they couldn't catch it if I throwed it.
I was in to breakfast this morning with Gleason and Bodie and Weaver
and Fournier. Gleason says I'm supprised that you ain't sick in bed
to-day. I says Why?
He says Most of our pitchers gets sick when Cal tells them they are
going to work against Johnson. He says Here's these other fellows all
feeling pretty sick this morning and they ain't even pitchers. All they
have to do is hit against him but it looks like as if Cal would have to
send substitutes in for them. Bodie is complaining of a sore arm which
he must of strained drawing to two card flushes. Fournier and Weaver
have strained their legs doing the tango dance. Nothing could cure them
except to hear that big Walter had got throwed out of his machine and
wouldn't be able to pitch against us in this serious.
I says I feel O.K. and I ain't afraid to pitch against Johnson and I
ain't afraid to hit against him neither. Then Weaver says Have you ever
saw him work? Yes, I says, I seen him in Chi. Then Weaver says Well if
you have saw him work and ain't afraid to hit against him I'll bet you
would go down to Wall Street and holler Hurrah for Roosevelt. I says
No I wouldn't do that but I ain't afraid of no pitcher and what is more
if you get me a couple of runs I'll beat him. Then Fournier says Oh we
will get you a couple of runs all right. He says That's just as easy as
catching whales with a angleworm.
Well Al I must close and go in and get some lunch. My arm feels great
and they will have to go some to beat me Johnson or no Johnson.
Your pal, JACK.
_Washington, D.C., September 22._
FRIEND AL: Well I guess you know by this time that they didn't get no
two runs for me, only one, but I beat him just the same. I beat him one
to nothing and Callahan was so pleased that he give me a ticket to the
theater. I just got back from there and it is pretty late and I already
have wrote you one letter to-day but I am going to sit up and tell you
about it.
It was cloudy before the game started and when I was warming up I made
the remark to Callahan that the dark day ought to make my speed good.
He says Yes and of course it will handicap Johnson.
While Washington was takeing their practice their two coachers Schaefer
and Altrock got out on the infield and cut up and I pretty near busted
laughing at them. They certainly is funny Al. Callahan asked me what
was I laughing at and I told him and he says That's the first time I
ever seen a pitcher laugh when he was going to work against Johnson. He
says Griffith is a pretty good fellow to give us something to laugh at
before he shoots that guy at us.
I warmed up good and told Schalk not to ask me for my spitter much
because my fast one looked faster than I ever seen it. He says it
won't make much difference what you pitch to-day. I says Oh, yes, it
will because Callahan thinks enough of me to work me against Johnson
and I want to show him he didn't make no mistake. Then Gleason says No
he didn't make no mistake. Wasteing Cicotte or Scotty would of been a
mistake in this game.
Well, Johnson whiffs Weaver and Chase and makes Lord pop out in the
first inning. I walked their first guy but I didn't give Milan nothing
to bunt and finally he flied out. And then I whiffed the next two. On
the bench Callahan says That's the way, boy. Keep that up and we got a
chance.
Johnson had fanned four of us when I come up with two out in the third
inning and he whiffed me to. I fouled one though that if I had ever
got a good hold of I would of knocked out of the park. In the first
seven innings we didn't have a hit off of him. They had got five or
six lucky ones off of me and I had walked two or three, but I cut
loose with all I had when they was men on and they couldn't do nothing
with me. The only reason I walked so many was because my fast one was
jumping so. Honest Al it was so fast that Evans the umpire couldn't see
it half the time and he called a lot of balls that was right over the
heart.
Well I come up in the eighth with two out and the score still nothing
and nothing. I had whiffed the second time as well as the first but it
was account of Evans missing one on me. The eighth started with Shanks
muffing a fly ball off of Bodie. It was way out by the fence so he got
two bases on it and he went to third while they was throwing Berger
out. Then Schalk whiffed.
Callahan says Go up and try to meet one Jack. It might as well be you
as anybody else. But your old pal didn't whiff this time Al. He gets
two strikes on me with fast ones and then I passed up two bad ones. I
took my healthy at the next one and slapped it over first base. I guess
I could of made two bases on it but I didn't want to tire myself out.
Anyway Bodie scored and I had them beat. And my hit was the only one
we got off of him so I guess he is a pretty good pitcher after all Al.
They filled up the bases on me with one out in the ninth but it was
pretty dark then and I made McBride and their catcher look like suckers
with my speed.
I felt so good after the game that I drunk one of them pink cocktails.
I don't know what their name is. And then I sent a postcard to poor
little Violet. I don't care nothing about her but it don't hurt me none
to try and cheer her up once in a while. We leave here Thursday night
for home and they had ought to be two or three letters there for me
from Hazel because I haven't heard from her lately. She must of lost my
road addresses.
Your pal, JACK.
P.S. I forgot to tell you what Callahan said after the game. He said I
was a real pitcher now and he is going to use me in the city serious.
If he does Al we will beat them Cubs sure.
_Chicago, Illinois, September 27._
FRIEND AL: They wasn't no letter here at all from Hazel and I guess
she must of been sick. Or maybe she didn't think it was worth while
writeing as long as she is comeing next week.
I want to ask you to do me a favor Al and that is to see if you can
find me a house down there. I will want to move in with Mrs. Keefe,
don't that sound funny Al? sometime in the week of October twelfth. Old
man Cutting's house or that yellow house across from you would be O.K.
I would rather have the yellow one so as to be near you. Find out how
much rent they want Al and if it is not no more than twelve dollars a
month get it for me. We will buy our furniture here in Chi when Hazel
comes.
We have a couple of days off now Al and then we play St. Louis two
games here. Then Detroit comes to finish the season the third and
fourth of October.
Your pal, JACK.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 3._
DEAR OLD AL: Thanks Al for getting the house. The one-year lease is
O.K. You and Bertha and me and Hazel can have all sorts of good times
together. I guess the walk needs repairs but I can fix that up when I
come. We can stay at the hotel when we first get there.
I wish you could of came up for the city serious Al but anyway I want
you and Bertha to be sure and come up for our wedding. I will let you
know the date as soon as Hazel gets here.
The serious starts Tuesday and this town is wild over it. The Cubs
finished second in their league and we was fifth in ours but that don't
scare me none. We would of finished right on top if I had of been here
all season.
Callahan pitched one of the bushers against Detroit this afternoon and
they beat him bad. Callahan is saveing up Scott and Allen and Russell
and Cicotte and I for the big show. Walsh isn't in no shape and neither
is Benz. It looks like I would have a good deal to do because most of
them others can't work no more than once in four days and Allen ain't
no good at all.
We have a day to rest after to-morrow's game with the Tigers and then
we go at them Cubs.
Your pal, JACK.
P.S. I have got it figured that Hazel is fixing to surprise me by
dropping in on me because I haven't heard nothing yet.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 7._
FRIEND AL: Well Al you know by this time that they beat me to-day and
tied up the serious. But I have still got plenty of time Al and I will
get them before it is over. My arm wasn't feeling good Al and my fast
ball didn't hop like it had ought to. But it was the rotten support I
got that beat me. That lucky stiff Zimmerman was the only guy that got
a real hit off of me and he must of shut his eyes and throwed his bat
because the ball he hit was a foot over his head. And if they hadn't
been makeing all them errors behind me they wouldn't of been nobody on
bases when Zimmerman got that lucky scratch. The serious now stands
one and one Al and it is a cinch we will beat them even if they are a
bunch of lucky stiffs. They has been great big crowds at both games and
it looks like as if we should ought to get over eight hundred dollars
a peace if we win and we will win sure because I will beat them three
straight if necessary.
But Al I have got bigger news than that for you and I am the happyest
man in the world. I told you I had not heard from Hazel for a long
time. To-night when I got back to my room they was a letter waiting for
me from her.
Al she is married. Maybe you don't know why that makes me happy but I
will tell you. She is married to Kid Levy the middle weight. I guess
my thirty dollars is gone because in her letter she called me a cheap
skate and she inclosed one one-cent stamp and two twos and said she
was paying me for the glass of beer I once bought her. I bought her
more than that Al but I won't make no holler. She all so said not for
me to never come near her or her husband would bust my jaw. I ain't
afraid of him or no one else Al but they ain't no danger of me ever
bothering them. She was no good and I was sorry the minute I agreed to
marry her.
But I was going to tell you why I am happy or maybe you can guess. Now
I can make Violet my wife and she's got Hazel beat forty ways. She
ain't nowheres near as big as Hazel but she's classier Al and she will
make me a good wife. She ain't never asked me for no money.
I wrote her a letter the minute I got the good news and told her to
come on over here at once at my expense. We will be married right after
the serious is over and I want you and Bertha to be sure and stand up
with us. I will wire you at my own expence the exact date.
It all seems like a dream now about Violet and I haveing our
misunderstanding Al and I don't see how I ever could of accused her of
sending me that postcard. You and Bertha will be just as crazy about
her as I am when you see her Al. Just think Al I will be married inside
of a week and to the only girl I ever could of been happy with instead
of the woman I never really cared for except as a passing fancy. My
happyness would be complete Al if I had not of let that woman steal
thirty dollars off of me.
Your happy pal, JACK.
P.S. Hazel probibly would of insisted on us takeing a trip to Niagara
falls or somewheres but I know Violet will be perfectly satisfied if I
take her right down to Bedford. Oh you little yellow house.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 9._
FRIEND AL: Well Al we have got them beat three games to one now and
will wind up the serious to-morrow sure. Callahan sent me in to save
poor Allen yesterday and I stopped them dead. But I don't care now
Al. I have lost all interest in the game and I don't care if Callahan
pitches me to-morrow or not. My heart is just about broke Al and I
wouldn't be able to do myself justice feeling the way I do.
I have lost Violet Al and just when I was figureing on being the
happyest man in the world. We will get the big money but it won't do me
no good. They can keep my share because I won't have no little girl to
spend it on.
Her answer to my letter was waiting for me at home to-night. She is
engaged to be married to Joe Hill the big lefthander Jennings got from
Providence. Honest Al I don't see how he gets by. He ain't got no more
curve ball than a rabbit and his fast one floats up there like a big
balloon. He beat us the last game of the regular season here but it was
because Callahan had a lot of bushers in the game.
I wish I had knew then that he was stealing my girl and I would of made
Callahan pitch me against him. And when he come up to bat I would of
beaned him. But I don't suppose you could hurt him by hitting him in
the head. The big stiff. Their wedding ain't going to come off till
next summer and by that time he will be pitching in the Southwestern
Texas League for about fifty dollars a month.
Violet wrote that she wished me all the luck and happyness in the world
but it is too late for me to be happy Al and I don't care what kind of
luck I have now.
Al you will have to get rid of that lease for me. Fix it up the best
way you can. Tell the old man I have changed my plans. I don't know
just yet what I will do but maybe I will go to Australia with Mike
Donlin's team. If I do I won't care if the boat goes down or not. I
don't believe I will even come back to Bedford this winter. It would
drive me wild to go past that little house every day and think how
happy I might of been.
Maybe I will pitch to-morrow Al and if I do the serious will be over
to-morrow night. I can beat them Cubs if I get any kind of decent
support. But I don't care now Al.
Yours truly, JACK.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 12._
AL: Your letter received. If the old man won't call it off I guess I
will have to try and rent the house to some one else. Do you know of
any couple that wants one Al? It looks like I would have to come down
there myself and fix things up someway. He is just mean enough to stick
me with the house on my hands when I won't have no use for it.
They beat us the day before yesterday as you probibly know and it
rained yesterday and to-day. The papers says it will be all O.K.
to-morrow and Callahan tells me I am going to work. The Cub pitchers
was all shot to peaces and the bad weather is just nuts for them
because it will give Cheney a good rest. But I will beat him Al if they
don't kick it away behind me.
I must close because I promised Allen the little lefthander that I
would come over to his flat and play cards a while to-night and I must
wash up and change my collar. Allen's wife's sister is visiting them
again and I would give anything not to have to go over there. I am
through with girls and don't want nothing to do with them.
I guess it is maybe a good thing it rained to-day because I dreamt
about Violet last night and went out and got a couple of high balls
before breakfast this morning. I hadn't never drank nothing before
breakfast before and it made me kind of sick. But I am all O.K. now.
Your pal, JACK.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 13._
DEAR OLD AL: The serious is all over Al. We are the champions and I
done it. I may be home the day after to-morrow or I may not come for a
couple of days. I want to see Comiskey before I leave and fix up about
my contract for next year. I won't sign for no less than five thousand
and if he hands me a contract for less than that I will leave the White
Sox flat on their back. I have got over fourteen hundred dollars now
Al with the city serious money which was $814.30 and I don't have to
worry.
Them reporters will have to give me a square deal this time Al. I had
everything and the Cubs done well to score a run. I whiffed Zimmerman
three times. Some of the boys say he ain't no hitter but he is a hitter
and a good one Al only he could not touch the stuff I got. The umps
give them their run because in the fourth inning I had Leach flatfooted
off of second base and Weaver tagged him O.K. but the umps wouldn't
call it. Then Schulte the lucky stiff happened to get a hold of one and
pulled it past first base. I guess Chase must of been asleep. Anyway
they scored but I don't care because we piled up six runs on Cheney and
I drove in one of them myself with one of the prettiest singles you
ever see. It was a spitter and I hit it like a shot. If I had hit it
square it would of went out of the park.
Comiskey ought to feel pretty good about me winning and I guess he will
give me a contract for anything I want. He will have to or I will go to
the Federal League.
We are all invited to a show to-night and I am going with Allen and his
wife and her sister Florence. She is O.K. Al and I guess she thinks the
same about me. She must because she was out to the game to-day and seen
me hand it to them. She maybe ain't as pretty as Violet and Hazel but
as they say beauty isn't only so deep.
Well Al tell the boys I will be with them soon. I have gave up the idea
of going to Australia because I would have to buy a evening full-dress
suit and they tell me they cost pretty near fifty dollars.
Yours truly, JACK.
_Chicago, Illinois, October 14._
FRIEND AL: Never mind about that lease. I want the house after all Al
and I have got the supprise of your life for you.
When I come home to Bedford I will bring my wife with me. I and
Florence fixed things all up after the show last night and we are going
to be married to-morrow morning. I am a busy man to-day Al because I
have got to get the license and look round for furniture. And I have
also got to buy some new cloths but they are haveing a sale on Cottage
Grove Avenue at Clark's store and I know one of the clerks there.
I am the happyest man in the world Al. You and Bertha and I and
Florence will have all kinds of good times together this winter because
I know Bertha and Florence will like each other. Florence looks
something like Bertha at that. I am glad I didn't get tied up with
Violet or Hazel even if they was a little bit prettier than Florence.
Florence knows a lot about baseball for a girl and you would be
supprised to hear her talk. She says I am the best pitcher in the
league and she has saw them all. She all so says I am the best looking
ball player she ever seen but you know how girls will kid a guy Al. You
will like her O.K. I fell for her the first time I seen her.
Your old pal, JACK.
P.S. I signed up for next year. Comiskey slapped me on the back when I
went in to see him and told me I would be a star next year if I took
good care of myself. I guess I am a star without waiting for next
year Al. My contract calls for twenty-eight hundred a year which is a
thousand more than I was getting. And it is pretty near a cinch that I
will be in on the World Serious money next season.
P.S. I certainly am relieved about that lease. It would of been fierce
to of had that place on my hands all winter and not getting any use out
of it. Everything is all O.K. now. Oh you little yellow house.