Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 523 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

The Dandy Sport. x : but, the fact is, gentlemen, I heard of your pre- dicament and resolved to return good for evil. I have come to pitch your game for you!” The captain of the Canyon Citys eyed the — with a look half hopeful, half incredu- ous. ** Kin you pitch ball?’ he demanded, Algernon smiled mysteriously. “Well enough to pull you through,” he said, confidently. ‘I didn’t spend four years at Harvard for nothing.” ‘** An’ will ye do it?” ‘* Yes, on,one condition. If I win the game, I am to have the freedom of the town as long as I see fit to remain; if I lose,I am to be permitted to depart again unmolested.” ‘‘ Agreed!” cried Jones, heartily. ‘An’ what’s more, ef you win you shall hev half o’ the thousan’ dollars, eh, boys?” ‘* Ay; an’ ther hull ov it if he wants,” came the response in chorus, ‘‘ Anything ter beat tbem durn skunks from up the gulch. ‘Then it isa bargain,” exclaimed Algernon, eagerly. ‘‘ Lead on, boys, and we'll show these chumps how to play ball according to rule.” The demoralized team rallied around the Dandy Sport admiringly; there was something in the cool and confident manner of the Eastern youth that inspired them with fresh courage. ‘*Come on, boys! Notime to lose! Give us one tiger for ther dandy dude, an’ here’s hopin’ we'll wallop the blatherskites out yonder. W hoop!” There was a wild yell that nearly raised the roof, and then the nine men rushed out upon the field amid the shouts of tbe excited mob. Just in time, for the umpire stood, watch in hand, with the captain of the Silvertons by his side, Their appearance was the signal for an out- surst of applau-e from the citizens, for but few had supposed the team would venture upon the tield. Captain Jones won the toss, and sent his men to the field; and as they moved out, resplendent in their brilliant uniforms, every neck was eraned to see whom they would present as pitcher. With the utmost nonchalance, Algernon Arnold stalked leisurely into the diamond; his dandified attire in marked contrast with that of his fellows, made him conspicuous to every one, and instantly there went up from both factions a mighty yell of derision. The idea that the dude could play ball never once occurred to the spectators, and while the friends of the home club lustily howled their disappointment, the crowd from Silverton re- garded the thing as a huge joke, and yelled de- lightedly in anticipation of the picnic they felt sure would follow. But the demonstrations of the mob had no apparent effect upon the dude in the box. He leisurely proceeded to divest himself of his outer garments, pitched them upon the grass In a heap, rolled up his sleeves, then received the new ball from the umpire and faced the first batsman with the utmost sang froid. ‘* High ball!—Play!” called the umpire, and then silence, deep and unbroken, descended up- on the scene! CHAPTER VII. A FAMOUS VICTORY. Ir was a picturesque scene that the summer sun looked down upon that eventful afternoon. There was the little valley, flanked on every side by rugged mountains; there, in the center, he Canyon City; stood like so many expectantt tatues, their bright costumes in gay Contrasts with the emerald field; while on both sides look- ed down a sea of eager faces, intently watching every movement. Taken all in all, ib wasa spectacle long to be remembered. Play ball!” As this command left the lips of the umpire, the Dandy Sport twirled the ball carelessly for a moment, then pirouetted gracefully on one foot, hopped up like a jack-in-a-box, and went through a variety of other gymnastical move- ments; finally, after the crowd was howling de- risively at his antics, sending the sphere in to- ward the plate like a cannon-shot. ‘*One strike!” cried the umpire, as the ball, after darting straight at the batsman, suddenly shot out directly over the plate into the waiting hands of the catcher. The slugger looked puzzled, but he gripped his club with the determination to hit the ball *‘right on the nose,” and send it on a voyage of discovery to the heavenly regions, Again the ball came whizzing from the Dandy’s hand, this time coming just where he wanted it. But when the Silvertonian struck viciously atthe flying sphere, it was only to = that it had dodged nimbly underneath his at. ‘* Two strikes!” and the shout of the audience decreased, as they began to grow interested. The next ball was so slow that it seemed ised in the air, and the slugger banged at it so hard that it went spinning round and round; but the sphere managed to evade the stick, and the umpire said: ‘“‘ Three strikes!” One man was out and only three balls pitched. Was it possible that the dude could play ball, or was it simply luck?” Which everit might be, the result was satisfactory enough. The second man at the bat came to time smiling, but he pounded the air three times and sat dowm in disgust, The next walked to the plate determined to do something, but he had holes in his bat, and speedily shared the fate of his predecessors, Three men struck out in successiou? The spectators could hardly believe the evidence of their eyes. But when they realized that the de- spised swell had performed this remarkable feat, the Canyon Cityites fairly stood up on their toes and howled enthusiastically Still, one inning did not constitute a game, and the dude might not be able to keep up his wonderful work. So when the home team, after counting nothing, went to the field again, silence once more brooded o’er the scene. But Algernon Arnold proved equal to the emergency. Standing in his box, the very per- sonification of ease and coolness, he mowed down the heavy hitters of the Silverton team like so many nivepins. It was wonderful what control the youth pos- sessed over the leathery sphere; be seemed to be able to send it just wherever he willed. The ball shot in and out, up and down; now skimming along the ground, then danciug tantalizingly before their faces; first a deceptive slow drop that scarcely seemed to move at all, next a terrific in-shoot that struck the catcher’s hands with a sound like arifle-shot. Dancing zig-zag through the air, it seemed to twine itself all over and around the bat, mocking to scorn the frantic efforts of the men from Silverton. As the game progressed, and the dandy sport gave no signs of weakening, it became plain to the lookers-on that the heavy hitters of the Visiting team were completely at his mercy. The feelings of the Canyon Cityites can better be imagined than described. Their joy knew no bounds when they beheld their foes going down like chaff in the whirlwind before the magical delivery of the wizard pitcher and the air fairly rung with their exuitant cries. Hight innings were quickly played, and strange to relate, neither club had scored. For the Silvertons, only twenty-four men had gone to the bat, not one of them reaching first base. Of these, four had sent up easy flies, two had died at first, while the remainder had fallen victims to the wiles of the Dandy Sport. On the other side, the Canyon Citys hit the ball frequently, but a combination of bad luck and poor judgment in base-running prevented them from scoring. In the last inning, however, things grew more exciting. The Dandy’s catcher was a plucky fellow, but the former’s hot ones had proved too much for him, and be was in no condition to hold them. So when, after two of the Silver- tons had retired, the third man banged away at the atmosphere three times, the catcher could not stop the ball, which went through his fingers and down the field like a streak, Ere it could be recovered, the man had made the circuit of the bases and scored the first tally of the game. The last man was quickly put out, and then the Canyon Citys came in for the last time with the score one t» nothing against them. Silverton stock had advanced, and her backers were fast recovering their good spirits, but the sympathizers with the home team looked anx- ious and doubtful. _ The first man hit the ball to the in-field and died at first; the Silvertonians howled. The next sent up a fly that was easily gobbled, and then they roared. The third man managed to get his base on a scratch hit, and then it was Canyon City’s turn to shout, but very little en- thusiasm attended the effort. With two out and a man on first base, and one run needed to tie and two to win, the home team’s chances for victory were poor indeed; as Algernon Arnold, whose turn Was next, picked up his bat, a deathlike silence fell upon the scene, The dandy pitcher took his position, and faced the opposing twirler with an air of deter- mination, Breathlessly the crowd awaited the result, ‘*One strike!” and the crowd groaned, ‘* Two strikes!” The Silverton contingent howled in derision. Then at the last moment, when every chance seemed lost, the young sport got the just where he wanted it. * Crack!” went the supple willow, and then the vast multitude were electrified to see the leathern sphere rise Pee cally into the air and soar far over thé head of the center fielder. For a moment the Canyon Cityites could scarcely believe the evidence of their own eyes; but when Arnold was seen flying around the bases like a streak of lightning, they came to the conclusion that it was no tantalizing dream, but a most pleasing reality. Then such a yell went up from hundreds of bronzed throats that fairly shook the founda- tions of the mighty hills. The player who had been at first base come darting home with the tying run, while the dar- ing young Easterner, by wonderful running, reached third just as the Silverton outfielder recovered the ball and sent it in straight as an arrow. Not for an instant faltering, Algernon kept on like a flash toward the home plate, but quick as he was, the sphere, accurately thrown was even swifter, and settled in the catcher’s hands while he was yet a dozen feet away from the coveted goal. A wail of despair arose from the Canyon Cityites. 1t looked a sure ‘ out,” the run was needlessly thrown away, and their once buoyant spirits fell to zero as if by magic. But lo! what followed fairly paralyzed them with astonishment. On like a thunderbolt came the audacious run- ner, never for an instant checking his speed; then, just as the exultant catcher reached out to touch him with the ball, Arnold made a mighty leap into the air and went clear over the head of the astonished backstop! Such a trick had never before been seen, or even dreamed of, by the primitive ball-tossers of the mines; and the crowd gave way to their feelings in a manner that could not fail to prove their appreciation of the feat. Butat thisexciting moment, even as Algernon Arnold poised for an instant in mid-air, the sharp report of a revolver rung out upon the air; and with a cry of pain, the dashing pitcher sunk in a quivering heap upon the ground, di- rectly over the coveted home base, The goal was reached; the winning run was scored, and the Canyon Citys held the proud title of core par but the young sport, whose wonderful skill and daring had won the game, lay pale and motionless upon the earth! In a moment confusion reigned supreme, as hundreds of excited citizens looked for theqnan who ha‘ fired the dastardly shot. In vain! If any one had seen the shot fired, he kept the knowledge to himself, and the assassin made good his escape. ; Amid the confusion, while crowds surged fiercely in every direction, @ dozen strong arms lifted Algernon Arnold from the ground. As they did so, the sport opened his eyes and looked bewilderedly around; and instantly a ringing cheer proclaimed the fact that the young man was yet in the land of the living. Algernon’s face was deathly pale, and blood trickled from his temple; but he stood upon his feet and waved off the willing hands outstretched to assist him. ‘7m all right, gentlemen,” he assured them, with a faint smile, ‘*The intentions Of that chap, whoever he is, were good enough, but he didn’t calculate correctly, The bullet simply grazed the skin, taking a lock of my hair to remember me by. But, tell me, am I out or safe? Is the game ours?” gh “You betcher last copper it 1s, an’ so’s ther boodle,” roared the exbilarated captain of the Canyon City Mine. ‘Boys, byar’s the feller that pulled us through! Three cheers for ther dandy dude!” Amid lusty shouts from hundreds of throats, Swelling and blending Into a continuous roar that fairly made the mountains quake, the Dandy Sport was seized and borne in triumph through the town, frow whence, but a few hours before, he had been driven-—an exile; while the surging populace, wild with joy, bast- ened to honor the youth whose prowess carried them to Victory! CHAPTER VIII. TRAPPED. Wuewn Reginald Ray, the wealthy New York merchant, left the scene of bis unpleasant inter- ele) <n ee = — SE ————eeeeeeeeeeEe—eEeEeEeEeEeE———eEeEEEEE NE A A AT Te