The Argosy, April 1912 — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

THE CATCHER move all possible doubts as to the nature of the scene they were witnessing. They had unearthed one of the most audacious plots in the history of baseball or any other sport —ingenious in its very simplicity and nov- elty, which its inventors counted upon to protect them from suspicion. They had been too careless and confident even to place guards about the house in which they oper- ated, so secure did they feel in the strange- ness of their scheme. And they might have been justified in this feeling but for one bit of carelessness—the flashing of their reflector in a girl’s eyes as she sat in the grand stand. Detective Kennedy was too excited to keep still any longer. He knew the thing would be a great “boost” for him. Big people would probably be implicated and a giant swindle prevented. It would be in all the papers, and he would get the credit, or most of it. “Throw up your hands!” he snapped, swiftly drawing his gun. “We've got you with the goods and the game is up. Bet- ter take it quietly, and make no disturb- ance.”’ The two offenders seemed far too de- moralized with surprise and fear, as they whirled and looked into the muzzle of his weapon to attempt to make any “ disturb- ance.” ‘They held up their hands as direct- ed, and said nothing. “Spoilin’ the game, huh, you crooks,” said Kennedy’s friend, Kid Grover, his mind still intent on his beloved baseball. “T just ought to hand youse one, and if it wasn’t for the lady—” “Don’t mind me, Mr. Grover,” put in Miss Truesdell. It was not until she spoke tha¥ the as- tonished Standing recognized her. “What are you doing here?” he growled, flushing darkly. “This affair is nothing for you to be mixed up in.” “Oh yes it is,” she replied, “and don’t be impolite or my friend, Mr. Kid Grover, will ‘hand you one.’” COMES BACK, 87 “Tickled to death, any time you say, lady,” said the gallant Kid. “The game is over,” announced Ken- nedy, looking out of the window. “Just run down-stairs, Kid, call up the clubhouse and ask Kingston, the manager, and Curley McGrath to come over here right away. They'll be interested to see this outfit.” The Kid disappeared, and in his absence the detective put in the time handcuffing the prisoners, and with Miss Truesdell ex- amining the reflecting apparatus which had played such havoc with poor McGrath’s career. In an incredibly short time the Kid returned with the two ball-players at his heels. ‘“Couldn’t see a phone handy, so I just went after them,’ he explained. ‘““Mary—Miss Truesdell!” gasped Cur- ley, in confusion. Curley—Mr. mocked, teasingly, the girl McGrath! ” The scene which followed was one of re- joicing for all except Joe Standing and his accomplice, from whom a full confession was drawn, implicating Fred Berg and his crowd of “sure thing” gamblers, and sta- ting at exactly what games he had used his reflector to upset Curley McGrath’s play- ing. These games were afterward canceled by the board of directors of the league, which put the Black Sox back in first place, where they remained, with Curley’s assist- ance, until the pennant was captured. Curley McGrath “came back” immedi- ately to his old form, and even better, play- ing with a dash and vim which he had never shown before. This surpassing ac- tivity may have been due to good spirits, on account of his also having “ come back” in another and entirely different game. Any time at all now you are liable to see an item in the paper about Mr. John J. McGrath and Miss Mary Truesdell, “both of Blankport,” etc. But don’t look on the sporting page for i¢. It will have nothing to do with baseball. A CONTRAST. OUTSIDE the window one was stirred Such sight of slavery to see; Inside, within its cage, the bird Sang its sweet song of liberty. Tom Masson. comicoool. CO