The Argosy, April 1912 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

THE CATCHER COMES BACK. “T came simply because I am not known to be connected with Berg, and your being seen with me will not arouse suspicion,” the other explained. “If you were seen talking with Berg, for instance, it would queer you. But if you accept our proposition, we will play fair and protect your reputation in every way.” “T have every confidence in you, of course,” said Curley, “but I’d rather keep my reputation so that it doesn’t need pro- tecting.”’ “Never mind the _ heroics,” sneered Standing. ‘We'll treat you right if you treat us right.” “And if I refuse?” “Tm sorry, Mr. McGrath,” said the gambler. “I tried to have them pick some other man for the ‘ goat,’ but they wouldn’t. I'll speak frankly to you. If you refuse, Berg and his friends know how to get even. Your promising baseball career will be cut short. There are many ways of get- ting a man ‘in bad.’ Things will happen to place you under suspicion, and with a mediocre catcher in your place, the Buc- caneers would probably win the pennant anyway.” “T see,” rejoined Curley, still keeping his temper. “Well, you can go back and tell the Black Hand society that they can’t bluff me. Now get out, before I throw you out.”’ This was exactly the answer Standing had expected and desired. He departed, rejoicing, and Curley went to bed with an uneasy feeling that he was in a disagree- able and perhaps dangerous position. But in the morning he laughed at his fears and did not even mention the matter to any of his friends. This was a mistake which a more ex- perienced man would not have made. If he had told his manager the whole story at once he might havé saved himself a lot of trouble. That day the Buccaneers arrived in Blankport for a series of five games. Curley went on the field that afternoon feeling slightly nervous, and made more errors than he had ever been guilty of dur- ing an entire season. He couldn’t tell just what was the matter. His judgment of distance was gone and he felt slightly “ rat- tled.””. He threw a mile over second base’s head, and fumbled the ball, letting men home who should have been out. He tried his best to brace up, but could 83 not, and he began“to get confused and see things in a blurred, uncertain way. At the bat he did nothing but strike out. The score was 6-0, in favor of the Buc- caneers, and every one in the grand stand and bleachers could see that it was almost entirely the catcher’s fault. In the clubhouse afterward, he received a scolding fr6m the manager which ranged in style from the most biting sarcasm to the bluntest brutality, and ended by accu- sing him of being either drunk or crazy, or both. He denied the former, but admitted that he might be somewhat “ batty.” That same evening, in the hotel lobby, when several of the players and _ their friends were standing around within ear- shot, Fred Berg, the gambler, appeared among them, nodded to one or two of the men whom he knew, and tapping Curley on the shoulder, said in a loud stage-whis- per: “That was great work you did in to- day’s game, McGrath.” He winked meaningly and_ sauntered away, leaving Curley too surprised to an- swer him. That was all; no more was said. But it was enough, under the circumstances, to arouse suspicion, and Curley might have been accused of “throwing” the game, and suspended at once, pending proofs, if his manager had not liked him and _ believed in him. He now told the whole story of how Standing had approached him, and _ the threats he had made in behalf of Berg. The manager believed him, though Curley could offer no proofs, and the whole matter was kept very quiet, as no manager wants any member of his team accused of crooked work. When such things get into the papers the public is only too ready to jump at the conclusion that all baseball is “fixed” and that nothing is “on the level.” The box-office then suffers. The next day McGrath played, if pos- sible, a worse game than before, and the Buccaneers won by a score of 7-2, which put them up in first place again. The third game was no better. Buccaneers 4, Black Sox 0, appeared on the score-boards all over * town, while the crowds groaned. Curley wondered if something could be the matter with his eyes. The sunlight hurt them sometimes, and he saw queer, blinding flashes, Just at the times when he made his worst errors. These errors always seemed to occur at the most critical moments in the cComicloool