Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 581 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

ra) Double-Curve Dan. fans waving incessantly to assist the gentle sum- mer breeze, : In the cheaper seats, where there is no protec- tion from the sun, men and boys are packed eee and are slowly cooking in the rays of O It is a pretty hot day for base-ball; but no one seems to think about the state of the weather. There is something else to interest them, It is four o’clock in the afternoon, and time oe the game to commence, but there isa de- ay. The home club, the New Yorks, have no pitcher, Wiltred Noel, the regular pitcher, kas quar- reled with the captain and has positively re- fused to play in to-day’s game, He is a man of strong passions, saturnine, gloomy and, in spite of bis undoubted skill as a pitcher, coor with the other members of the club. e has suddenly taken it Mto his head that he does not want to play, and after a stormy scene with the captain, has ‘taken a seat in the grand stand, where he can see what transpires in the field, without being easily seen himself, What is to be done? ‘* Put on another pitcher!” howled the specta- tors. ‘*‘ Throw Noel in the river!” The surly Wilfred scowls froin his retired posi- tion in the grand stand. The match is one of the most important in the season’s series. The ton slayers are the op- ponents, and the New Yorks must play their very strongest if they hope to beat the famous men from the Hub to-day. The captain of the New Yorks looks helplessly around him. He has only one other pitcher on the ground, and his arm is in a precarious state, so his physician says. He could not deliver half a dozen balls without breaking down, ‘*It is no use, boys; we must either let Jack Swift pitch, and take chances on his arm, or we must forfeit the game,” the captain informs his men, as they gather around him in a corner of the field. The Bostonians are standing ina group ata little distance, waiting forthe New Yorks to make some move, With true American generosity they share in the annoyance and disappointment of their ad- versaries, and would, if they could, help them out, This, however, seems to be impossible, and they can only wait for some decision to be given by the umpire. That important personage, a very tall indi- vidual, with broad shoulders and a determined visage, who has himself been a noted pitcher in hi3 day, steps to the captain and tells him that he must make up his mind right away, be- cause the game will be called. If the New Yorks are not prepared, they must pay the usual for- feit; the audience will be dismissed, and their money returned to them, | The vast assemblage, which bas quieted down during the short conference between the um- ire and captain, breaks out into fresh yells of impatience, he situation is a desperate one. A base-ball audience will not stand much trifling, or tolerate indecision, Jack Swift, the ‘‘change pitcher,” feels his arm with bis left hand, and looks dubious, If his captain orders him to the front he will do ‘his best, but he feels that it means certain de- feat for his club, : ** Jack, you must do it,” finally decides the eaptain. ‘‘Itis the only thing we cando, Our other pitchers, Will Knox and Al Cratty, are both down-town somewhere, and it would be impossible to find them now.” “ All right, Cap; just as you say,” is Jack rey brave reply. ‘‘Let us get into the eld, The crowd cheers as the “‘ boys” get to their places around the diamond. It is Boston’s first innings, and one of the Hub’s most powerful batters goes to the bat, The New Yorks take the field and cover the bases, as Jack Swift slowly leaves the players’ bench and walks hesitatingly forward. Then he stops, and grasps his arm with a slight ex- clamation. ‘‘ What is the matter, Jack?” asks the cap- tain, quickly. He has seen the movement, and knows that it bodes evil, a rip I'm afraid I cannot goin. I’m certain when I do that curve of mine my arm will hp right out, and the only delivery I have is that curve, and it is no use my trying to pitch any other way.” And still Noel stands in his corner in the grand’ stand grinning sardonically. He had meant to stop the game if he-could, and he sees that he will be successful. What his reason was for causing trouble we shall soon discover. ‘*Mr, Keane,” says the captain to the um- pire, ‘‘ we cannot play. I would rather not at- tempt it than go in for certain defeat. The New Yorks have done well so far this season, and I know that we could win to-day if we had Noel to pitch, Without him we should be lost.” ‘**Couldn’t you make him play?” inquires the umpire, clinching his fist. ‘*‘l think J could induce him to do it.” ‘** You don’t know him, or you wouldn’t say thav, He is the worst man to handle I ever saw. If it were not that be is one of the best pitchers in the ita he would not bave stayed in the club as long as he has,”’ ‘* He would soon go out of it, if I was man- ager, or captain, either,” muttered the umpire, grimly, ‘‘no matter how well he plays. Well, it is no use talking any more. Ill announce to the crowd that there will be no game, and that their money will be refunded as they pass out,” The players in the field are throwing the ball from one to the other waiting for the pitcher, and are unaware of the new turn of affairs. The umpire walks a little toward the grand stand, and in stentorian tones commences: ‘‘ Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to say that there will be no game to-day. Owing to the sudden iliness of Wilfred Noel, the regular pitcher of the New York Club, it is impossible to proceed—” The umpire’s voice is drowned by the yells and execrations of the men and boys in the low- priced seats, It would go hard with Noel were he to show himself now. He knows that, for he draws a little more behind the post that conceals him, though he never abates his ugly smile, ‘* Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you—” re- sumes the umpire. ‘*Play ball!’ ‘* Where is Noel?” ‘* Pitch yourset, ” ** Bring on Jack Swift!’ howls the mob, ‘*Gentlemen!” cries the umpire, at the top of his voice, The crowd, disappointed in their hopes of wit- nessing a splendid game, ure fairly wild. The umpire sees an Ominous swaying in the vast concourse, and knows that, in another minute, there will be three thousand men and boys swarming over the field, ready to deal destruc- tion to everybody and everything connected with the two base-ball clubs, The noise is terrific! Ladies are fainting in the grand stand, while their escorts, maddened with excitement, stop their own yelling with an effort, and do what they can to assist their com- panions, Suddenly a clear, youthful voice rings out above the din: ** T will pitch the game !” There is a cessation of the noise as every one turns to look at the speaker. $ A young fellow of twenty or thereabouts is making his way rapidly down over the seats in the grand stand. He clears the board fence that protects the spectators from stray balls, and drops easily to the ground in the inclo- sure, ‘* Pil pitch the game!” he repeats, as he sirolls carelessly, but with every movement denoting strength and activity, toward the umpire. The crowd has settled back into the seats, and takes a good look at the young man. They see a lithe, stalwart form, a boyish face, clear blue eyes, and a wealth of auburn curls cluster- ing around a well-shaped head. The head is un- covered, for the owner holds his soft felt hat in his hand, as he turns toward the grand stand and bows laughingly. **Can you pitch this game so that the New Yorks stand a chance of winning?” asks the cap- tain, somewhat dubiously, “T can.” The answer is given confidently, but without any tinge of egotism. It is the simple declara- tion of one who knows what he can do, and is not to be deterred from telling of it by a false sense of modesty. ‘* What is your name?” inquires the umpire. **They call me, in the village I come from, Double-Curve Dan, but—” ‘That is enough!” inte the captain, quickly, ‘‘ Let it go at that. I don’t want to know your other name, if you have one, or any- thing about you. Go in and pitch this game. I feel, somehow, that we will win, and that Doubie-Curve Dan is the best name for me to call you by. I don’t know why, but I know that the name will bring good luck to the New Yorks to-day.” ‘“ A little superstitious, eh?” observes the um- ‘ j pire, with a snxile, ‘* Perhaps!” is the captain’s quiet reply, _** Everybody in the field!” proclaims the um- ire, Double-Curve Dan throws off his coat and vest, and appears in a neat white flannel shirt, laced with a blue cord and tassels, A white silk handkerchief is knotted loosely around his throat. He strolls easily toward the diamond and is introduced by the captain to the catcher, Lionel cey. ** [ don’t think you will be very long getting onto my delivery,” says Dan. “It is not verr fast, and I believe I um easy tocatch. But i Shall foo) the batter, so look sharp when I get in my work,” ‘*T'll do that,” is Lionel’s reply, as he grasps the hand of the other beartily, for he had taken a strong fancy to the bandsome young stranger. Perhaps because Lionel Lacey is young and bandsome himself, and ‘* like begets like.” Dan takes his position in the pitcher’s box, and lools steadily at each of the players in turn. He wants to see what materia! he has to support him. he inspection is apparently satisfactory, for there is a smile curving his lip, as he settles himself in his favorite position for delivering the ball. + . ‘¢ Play ball!” cries the umpire. Every member: of the vast audience settles himself in bis seat to enjoy the game—all, save one, Wilfred Noel, standing behind his post, has his eyes fixed in a stare of malevolent hate upon the face of the young pitcher, and the stare means mischief. ‘* Play ball!” : Double-Curve Dan does not see Noel. His eyes are upon the batter, who stands impa- tiently awaiting the first ball from the new pitcher. For a few seconds Dan stands rigid, with the ball tightly gripped,in his fingers. Then, with a peculiar round-arm movement, he lets it go, It flies straight as an arrow for about half the distance; then it takes a sudden twist to the right, and again another to the left! he batter tries to meet it, but it zigzags oe him, and drops into the bands of Lionel acey. « . ‘** One strike!” cries the umpire. Another double-curve ball is delivered by the young seth and then the spectators and players begin to understand how he acquired his sobriquet. A minute more and the big batter of the Bos- tons is ‘* out on strikes,” A roar arises from the audience. known pitcher is a terror! The game goes on. It is impossible for the Bostons to hit Dan’s balls, and victory points in the direction of the New Yorks. Not by any great odds, however, for the Bos- tons are playing a splendid game; and now, in the ninth innings, the score stands 2 to 0 against them, with the Bostons going to the bat. Tbe sun is not so powerful as it was at the beginning of the game, for a bark of fleecy clouds bas blown across the sky, tempering the sun’s rays and reudering the atmosphere de- lightful. oel, standing behind his post in the grand stand, has seen the triumph of Double-Curve Dan with a feeling of rage which he cannot rc- ress, ‘*Curse him!” he mutters. ‘‘This is not the first time he has crossed my path, I will fix him yet.” | , He sees that the zigzag balls are still bother- ing the opposing club, and that the New Yorks have an easy victory in store, due solely to the skill of the pitcher. “‘If they could only get to hit one or two of those balls, the tale might be different,” he con- tinues, as be sees that the Bostons’ very best batter is facing the pitcher, waiting cautiously ioe a ball that he may have some chance of itting. f One of those tantalizing twisted deliveries is sent in, and the batter is wise enough to de- cline it. He is not going out “on strikes” this time if he can help it. : Double-Curve Dan is as fresh and lively as at the beginning of the game. He wears his soft hat rakishly at the back of his head, and bis auburn curls glint in the fitful sunlight. Noel is obliged to’ acknowledge that the new pitcher is a handsome young fellow as well as a skillful player. There is some one else too, in the grand stand, who realizes these facts, and whose evident ad- miration for the young stranger makes No? grit his teeth as he observes it. j The un- EGboo ~=-Eom = — ee