Adventure Magazine Cover, October 1911 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

1064 the exasperated spectators threatened to mob them. Nevertheless, Pennington, iron- nerved, permitted only three batters to face him. IV IN THE final half of that inning the second Sahaganite had melted away before Kotman’s wonderful skill when a messenger-boy found Pennington resting on the bench and handed him a Western Union envelope. The envelope bore the name of John Morgan, but Pen tore it open with a premonitory throb of appre- hension. The message stunned him: Just succeeded in locating you. Your father died four days ago. Will leaves you everything. Busi- ness needs your attention. At the bottom were the names of Gardi- ner Pennington’s attorneys. “There goesCopley. Now hold’emdown, manager, and we’ll own Sahagan to-night!”’ It was the voice of Bennett in his ears. Like a man dazed, Pennington rose, thrusting the crumpled message into the bosom of his woolen shirt. His father was dead and they had parted with bitter words. Like a man dazed, he walked on to the diamond and stood dully watching his com- panions throwing the ball. When it came to him he caught it mechanically, but he did not get ready to pitch until the umpire twice sharply called “Play!” The spectators became vaguely aware that something had happened to the pitcher on whom they depended, and the cheering died away to a questioning hum which ran through the stand and over the bleachers. Bennett, removing his mask, walked out. ‘““What’s the matter?” he asked, gazing at Pen’s pale, drawn face. ‘Are you sick?” “No,” was the husky answer, “I’m all right. Get your position, and signal.’ Luchow pounded a grasser to Grozman, who trapped it and threw the German out. Pennington gave himself a shake and pitched to Norris, who smashed a long fly to center, where Collier made a wonderful catch against the ropes. The pitcher did not hear the taunts of the coachers; he scarcely seemed to see Mad- dern at the plate. Bennett was forced to signal three times. Then Maddern, after watching two wide ones sail past, got one to Adventure his liking and wrenched a. groan from the crowd with a clean single. ‘“‘He’s gone!”’ cried Dugan, again on the coaching-line. ‘“‘He’s quit! Yellow! Yel- low! His heart’s gone back on him. He never was no good.”’ Behind Pennington’s back Maddern stole second and the spectators groaned again. Once more Bennett came out into the dia- mond. “For the love of Mike pull yourself to- gether!”? he entreated. ‘‘Only one more man to get and the game’s ours!”’ Pen nodded. “I'll get him,” he promised. But Samson was dangerous and Penning- ton felt himself unstrung. His first two to the miner were balls. With a mighty effort, he got one over and Samson smashed a grounder down the first base-line, foul by two inches. “He’s gone!” howled Dugan again. “‘He’s quit! Yellow! Yellow!” If Samson hit safely, Maddern would be almost certain to tie the score and, with the Sahagan pitcher shaken and Kotman going at his strongest, that meant defeat. Pen- nington realized it and got a firm grip on himself. He tried the underhand rise and Samson fouled over the top of the stand. That man could hit in a pinch and he was dangerous now. Pennington tried a wide curve, but Sam- son leered at it as it sailed past. It was two and three now. Bennett was fearful, but the pitcher, his face set and grim, shook his head until he got the sign he wanted. The call was for a high in-shoot, and Pen- nington, believing it was the last ball he would ever pitch, whipped across the over- hand ‘‘chin-wiper” that had made him famous at college. Samson missed it! A SHORT time later, as he was leaving the field, having escaped with some difficulty from the riot- ously rejoicing crowd that overran the dia- mond, Pennington encountered Bill Dugan. The Big League manager looked the young man over. “Say,” he said, “‘T’ll swaller it; you’re no quitter. Reckon I didn’t give ye a fair try- out and, if ye want the chanct, you shall have it now.” “Thanks, Dugan,” replied Pennington without the slightest touch of animosity, “T’ve had a better offer.” a's CO CEloOOKKS CO