Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

236 the gang, or take in a show or something, Ina would drag me off to our room and sic me onto Professor Aloysius X. Beecroft. We tackled it. together—though goodness knows the wife didn’t need the course. I'll say she didn’t! And before we got back home I’d done just what Ina had said I was going to do—I’d been through Profes- sor Aloysius X. Beecroft’s book from the first page to-the last! And it was a big book, too. Before we reached the ead henestiey, | could fairiy hear the old brain creak! J stuck to it—with Ina right there at my elbow, why wouldn’t 1?—and I won out. And I know opinions vary, but I want to say that as far as I’m concerned the finest two words in the English language are The” and “ had.” — I asked Ina if she noted any ‘improve- ment in my condition, and she said that she didn’t seem to make up her mind whether I had improved any or not. But if it turned out that I hadn’t, I’d have to read the book again! So about then I[ made up my mind that it was up to me to be decisive—instantly. I had a hunch that what I’d read was going to do me a lot of good—when Ina was around, anyway. Then it came—the chance. On _ the morning of the second day after we got back from the Western trip I got a hurry call on the phone from the club secretary telling me to report at headquarters on the jump. Well, here was one time when I didn’t need Professor Aloysius X. Beecroft to help me make up my mind, I went. And when I came away from there I was manager of the Pink Sox—temporarily. George Simmons had taken the count from the flu, and the magnate had turned over the management of the team to me—until Wiepit immons was able to get around again. m course. But somehow I man- ) €6B the idea that it was up to me. If I had anything, now was my time to show it. ‘ And when I told Ina what had hap- pened— “Jim,” says she, “it’s your chance! Go in and win! And whatever else you do— don’t hesitate! ’’ But was going great guns; THE ARGOSY. “Me?” says I. ©“ Hesitate ‘when I’ve got to read that book again if I do? I should say not!” As for its being my chance, I Sie that Simmons had only signed on for a year, and that he and Adgaze didn’t hitch very well, and so—well, maybe it did look like something of the sort. : Now the situation was like ie: that year the Whales had made a runaway race of it, and we were having it out hammer and tongs with the White Caps for the sec- ond position. I had the White Caps to beat, and if I came through, the fans would be satisfied, and so would Alonzo J. Brown —which was the main point. Until Mc- Burney took hold the year before the team had always been a second division outfit. The season had only a little over a month to go, and Alonzo had said that there wasn’t a chance of Simmons’s getting back into harness. : 3 So you see that after all there wasn’t much to it: all I had to do was beat the White Caps and—not hesitate! Well, I had it ‘put right up to me the first day IT took held. We were playing the Comets, a heavy-hitting crew; but Al Leavitt was on the mound for us, and Al the game rocked along until the last half. of the seventh without either side scoring. We went to bat. With one out we got a man on third. Then I saw it coming. The Comet pitcher had the batter in a hole: two strikes and one ball. He was a weak hitter, and it was a cinch he’d fan. Al Leavitt was next up, and if Al ever hit a ball he’d be so” astonished that he couldn’t run. to first, anyway. Al thinks that baseball bats are made for the same purpose as Indian clubs —to swing with. And that would make the third out. 7 So: would I stick in a pinch-hitter for Al Leavitt and take a chance on finishing out the game with another pitcher, or wouldn’t I? Would I or wouldn’t I? Yes er no? If I put in a pinch-hitter for Al he might land that run; and the run might win the game; and it might not. And what would happen to the new pitcher? And then, too—but never mind all that now. Would I or wouldn’t I? Yes or no? ee age ee Se ne eters com C) S (E€(0) JOO m