ThatnighttheboysplannedtheirfirstjobontheRube。WehadorderedaspecialPullmanfortraveltoToronto，andwhenIgottothedepotinthemorning，thePullmanwasawhiteflutteringmassofsatinribbons。Also，therewasabrassband，andthousandsofbaseballfans，andbarrelsofoldfoot—gear。TheRubeandNanarrivedinacabandwereimmediatelymobbed。
　　Thecrowdroared，thebandplayed，theenginewhistled，thebellclanged;andtheairwasfullofconfettiandslippers，andshowersofricelikehailpatteredeverywhere。AsomewhatdishevelledbrideandgroomboardedthePullmanandbreathlesslyhidinastateroom。Thetrainstarted，andthecrowdgaveonelastrousingcheer。OldSpearsyelledfromthebackplatform：
　　``Fellers，an’fans，youneedn’tworrynoneaboutleavin’theRubean’hisbridetothetendermerciesofthegang。Ahundredyearsfromnowpeoplewilltalkaboutthishoneymoonbaseballtrip。Waittillwecomeback——an’say，jesttoputyouwise，nomatterwhatelsehappens，we’recomin’backinfirstplace！’’
　　ItwassurelyamerrypartyinthatPullman。
　　ThebridalcoupleemergedfromtheirhidingplaceandheldasortofreceptioninwhichtheRubeappearedshyandfrightened，andNanresembledajoyous，flutteringbirdingray。Ididnotseeifshekissedeverymanontheteam，butshekissedmeasifshehadbeenwantingtodoitforages。
　　MillykissedtheRube，andsodidtheotherwomen，tohisinfiniteembarrassment。Nan’seffectuponthatcrowdwasmostsingular。Shewassweetnessandcapriceandjoypersonified。
　　Wesettleddownpresentlytosomethingapproachingorder，andI，forone，withverykeenearsandalerteyes，becauseIdidnotwanttomissanything。
　　``Iseethelambsa—gambolin’，’’observedMcCall，inavoicelouderthanwasnecessarytoconveyhismeaningtoMullaney，hispartnerintheseat。
　　``Yes，itdoseemasiftherewasjoyaboundin’
　　hereabouts，’’repliedMulwithfervor。
　　``It’smorespring—timethansummer，’’saidAshwell，``an’everythinginnatureisrunnin’inpairs。Therearethesheepan’thecattlean’thebirds。Iseetwokingfishersfishin’overhere。
　　An’there’sacoupleofhoney—beesmakin’honey。
　　Oh，honey，an’byGeorge，ifthereain’ttwobutterfliesfoldin’theirwingsroundeachother。Seethedandelionskissin’inthefield！’’
　　ThenthestaidCaptainSpearsspokeupwithanappearanceofsincerityandatonethatwasnothingshortofremarkable。
　　``Reggie，seethesunshineasleepuponyonbank。Ain’titlovely？An’thatwhitecloudsailin’thitheramidtheblue——howspontaneous！
　　Joyisa—broado’erallthisboo—tifullandtoday——Oh，yes！An’love’swingshovero’erthelittlelambsan’thebullfrogsinthepondan’thedickybirdsinthetrees。Whatsweetnesstolieinthegrass，thelapofbounteousearth，eatin’applesintheGardenofEden，an’chasin’awaythesnakesan’dreamin’ofThee，Sweet—h—e—a—r—t————’’
　　SpearswassingingwhenhegotsofarandtherewasnotellingwhathemighthavedoneifMullaney，unabletostandtheagony，hadnotjabbedapininhim。Butthatonlymadewayfortheeffortsoftheotherboys，eachofwhomtriedtooutdotheotherinpokingfunattheRubeandNan。Thebigpitcherwastoogloriouslyhappytonotemuchofwhatwentonaroundhim，butwhenitdawneduponhimhegrewredandwhitebyturns。
　　Nan，however，wasmorethanequaltotheoccasion。PresentlyshesmiledatSpears，suchasmile！Thecaptainlookedasifhehadjustpartakenofanintoxicatingwine。Withaheightenedcolorinhercheeksandadangerousflashinherroguisheyes，NanfavoredMcCallwithalook，whichwasasmuchastosaythatsherememberedhimwithadearsadness。Shemadeeyesateveryfellowinthecar，andthenbringingbackhergazetotheRube，asifgloryingincomparison，shenestledhercurlyblackheadonhisshoulder。Hegentlytriedtomoveher;butitwasnotpossible。
　　Nanknewhowtomeettheridiculeofhalfadozenoldlovers。Onebyonetheyburiedthemselvesinnewspapers，andfinallyMcCall，foronceutterlybeaten，showedawhitefeather，andsankbackoutofsightbehindhisseat。
　　Theboysdidnotrecoverfromthatshockuntillateintheafternoon。AsitwasaphysicalimpossibilityforNantorestherheadalldayuponherhusband’sbroadshoulder，theboystowarddinnertimecameoutoftheirjealoustrance。I
　　heardthemplottingsomething。Whendinnerwascalled，abouthalfofmyparty，includingthebrideandgroom，wentatonceintothedining—car。
　　Timethereflewbyswiftly。Andlater，whenwewereoncemoreinourPullman，andIhadgotteninterestedinagameofcardswithMillyandStringerandhiswife，theRubecamemarchinguptomewithaveryredface。
　　``Con，Ireckonsomeoftheboyshavestolenmy——ourgrips，’’saidhe。
　　``What？’’Iasked，blankly。
　　Heexplainedthatduringhisabsenceinthedining—carsomeonehadenteredhisstateroomandstolenhisgripandNan’s。IhastenedatoncetoaidtheRubeinhissearch。Theboyssworebyeverythingunderandbeyondthesuntheyhadnotseenthegrips;theyappearedverymuchgrievedatthelossandpretendedtohelpinsearchingthePullman。Atlast，withtheassistanceofaporter，wediscoveredthemissinggripsinanupperberth。TheRubecarriedthemofftohisstateroomandweknewsoonfromhisuncomplimentaryremarksthatthecontentsofthesuitcaseshadbeenmixedandmanhandled。Buthedidnothuntforthejokers。
　　WearrivedatTorontobeforedaylightnextmorning，andremainedinthePullmanuntilseveno’clock。Whenwegotout，itwasdiscoveredthattheRubeandNanhadstolenamarchuponus。
　　Wetracedthemtothehotel，andfoundthematbreakfast。Afterbreakfastweformedamerrysight—seeingpartyandrodealloverthecity。
　　Thatafternoon，whenRaddyletTorontodownwiththreehitsandtheboysplayedamagnificentgamebehindhim，andwewon7to2，IknewatlastandforcertainthattheWorcesterteamhadcomeintoitsownagain。ThennextdayCairnswonaclose，excitinggame，andfollowingthat，onthethirdday，thematchlessRubetoyedwiththeTorontos。Elevenstraightgameswon！Iwasintheclouds，andneverhadIseensobeautifulalightasshoneinMilly’seyes。
　　FromthatdayTheHoneymoonTripoftheWorcesterBaseballClub，asthenewspapersheraldedit——wasatriumphantmarch。WewontwooutofthreegamesatMontreal，brokeevenwiththehard—fightingBisons，tookthreestraightfromRochester，andwononeandtiedoneoutofthreewithHartford。Itwouldhavebeenwonderfulballplayingforateamtoplayonhomegroundsandweweredoingthefullcircuitoftheleague。
　　Spearshadcalledtheturnwhenhesaidthetripwouldbeahummer。NanHurtlehadbroughtuswonderfulluck。
　　ButthetrickstheyplayedonWhitandhisgirl—
　　fanbride！
　　Ashwell，whowasacapitalactor，disguisedhimselfasaconductorandpretendedtotrytoejectWhitandNanfromthetrain，urgingthatlove—makingwasnotpermitted。SomeoftheteamhiredacleveryoungwomantohunttheRubeupatthehotel，andclaimoldacquaintancewithhim。PoorWhitalmostcollapsedwhentheyoungwomanthrewherarmsabouthisneckjustasNanenteredtheparlor。UpontheinstantNanbecamewildasalittletigress，andittookmuchexplanationandeloquencetoreinstateWhitinheraffections。
　　AnothertimeSpears，thewilyoldfox，succeededindetainingNanonthewaytothestation，andthetwomissedthetrain。AtfirsttheRubelaughedwiththeothers，butwhenStringerremarkedthathehadnoticedagrowingattachmentbetweenNanandSpears，mygreatpitcherexperiencedthefirstpangsofthegreen—eyedmonster。Wehadtoholdhimtokeephimfromjumpingfromthetrain，andittookMillyandMrs。
　　Stringertosoothehim。IhadtowirebacktoRochesterforaspecialtrainforSpearsandNan，andeventhenwehadtoplayhalfagamewithouttheservicesofourcaptain。
　　SofaruponourtripIhadbeenfortunateinsecuringcomfortableroomsandthebestoftransportationformyparty。AtHartford，however，Iencountereddifficulties。IcouldnotgetaspecialPullman，andthesleeperweenteredalreadyhadanumberofoccupants。Aftertheladiesofmypartyhadbeenassignedtoberths，itwasnecessaryforsomeoftheboystosleepdoubleinupperberths。
　　Itwaslatewhenwegotaboard，theberthswerealreadymadeup，andsoonwehadallretired。
　　InthemorningveryearlyIwasawakenedbyadisturbance。Itsoundedlikeasqueal。Iheardanastonishedexclamation，anothersqueal，thepatteringoflittlefeet，thenhoarseuproaroflaughterfromtheballplayersintheupperberths。
　　Followingthatcamelow，excitedconversationbetweentheporterandsomebody，thenanangrysnortfromtheRubeandthethudofhisheavyfeetintheaisle。Whattookplaceafterthatwasguess—workforme。ButIgatheredfromtheroarsandbawlsthattheRubewasaftersomeoftheboys。Ipokedmyheadbetweenthecurtainsandsawhimdiggingintotheberths。
　　``Where’sMcCall？’’heyelled。
　　Macwasnowhereinthatsleeper，judgingfromthevehementdenials。ButtheRubekeptondiggingandproddingintheupperberths。
　　``I’ma—goin’tolickyou，Mac，soIreckonyou’dbettershowup，’’shoutedtheRube。
　　Thebigfellowwasmadasahornet。Whenhegottomehegraspedmewithhisgreatfence—
　　railsplittinghandsandIcriedoutwithpain。
　　``Say！Whit，letup！Mac’snothere……
　　What’swrong？’’
　　``I’llshowyouwhenIfindhim。’’AndtheRubestalkedondowntheaisle，atragicallycomicfigureinhispajamas。InhissearchforMachepriedintoseveralupperberthsthatcontainedoccupantswhowerenotballplayers，andtheseprotestedinaffright。ThentheRubebegantoinvestigatethelowerberths。Arowofheadsprotrudedinabobbinglinefrombetweenthecurtainsoftheupperberths。
　　``Here，youIndian！Don’tyoulookinthere！
　　That’smywife’sberth！’’yelledStringer。
　　Bogart，too，evincedgreatexcitement。
　　``Hurtle，keepoutoflowereightorI’llkillyou，’’heshouted。
　　WhattheRubemighthavedonetherewasnotelling，butashegraspedacurtain，hewasinterruptedbyashriekfromsomewomanassuredlynotofourparty。
　　``Getout！youhorridwretch！Help！Porter！
　　Help！Conductor！’’
　　Instantlytherewasadeafeningtumultinthecar。Whenithadsubsidedsomewhat，andIconsideredIwouldbesafe，Idescendedfrommyberthandmademywaytothedressingroom。
　　SprawledovertheleatherseatwastheRubepommellingMcCallwithheartygoodwill。Iwouldhaveinterfered，haditnotbeenforMac’sdemeanor。Hewashalffrightened，halfangry，andutterlyunabletodefendhimselforevenresist，becausehewaslaughing，too。
　　``Dog—goneit！Whit——Ididn’t——doit！IswearitwasSpears！Stopthumpin’menow——orI’llgetsore……Youhearme！Itwasn’tme，Itellyou。Cheeseit！’’
　　ForallhisprotestingMacreceivedagoodthumping，andIdoubtednotintheleastthathedeservedit。Thewonderoftheaffair，however，wasthefactthatnooneappearedtoknowwhathadmadetheRubesofurious。Theporterwouldnottell，andMacwasstrangelyreticent，thoughhissmilewasonetomakeafellowexceedinglysuresomethingoutoftheordinaryhadbefallen。
　　ItwasnotuntilIwashavingbreakfastinProvidencethatIlearnedthetruecauseofRube’sconduct，andMillyconfidedittome，insistingonstrictconfidence。
　　``Ipromisednottotell，’’shesaid。``Nowyoupromiseyou’llnevertell。’’
　　``Well，Connie，’’wentonMilly，whenIhadpromised，``itwasthefunniestthingyet，butitwashorridofMcCall。Yousee，theRubehaduppersevenandNanhadlowerseven。Earlythismorning，aboutdaylight，Nanawokeverythirstyandgotuptogetadrink。Duringherabsence，probably，butanywaysometimelastnight，McCallchangedthenumberonhercurtain，andwhenNancamebacktonumbersevenofcourseshealmostgotinthewrongberth。’’
　　``NowondertheRubepunchedhim！’’Ideclared。
　　``Iwishweweresafehome。Something’llhappenyetonthistrip。’’
　　IwasfaithfultomypromisetoMilly，butthesecretleakedoutsomewhere;perhapsMactoldit，andbeforethegamethatdayalltheplayersknewit。TheRube，havingrecoveredhisgoodhumor，mindeditnotintheleast。Hecouldnothavefeltill—willforanylengthoftime。Everythingseemedtogetbackintosmoothrunningorder，andtheHoneymoonTripbadefairtowindupbeautifully。
　　But，somehoworother，andaboutsomethingunknowntotherestofus，theRubeandNanquarreled。Itwastheirfirstquarrel。MillyandItriedtopatchitupbutfailed。
　　WelostthefirstgametoProvidenceandwonthesecond。Thenextday，aSaturday，wasthelastgameofthetrip，anditwasRube’sturntopitch。SeveraltimesduringthefirsttwodaystheRubeandNanabouthalfmadeuptheirquarrel，onlyintheendtofalldeeperintoit。
　　ThenthelaststrawcameinafoolishmoveonthepartofwilfulNan。ShehappenedtomeetHenderson，herformeradmirer，andinaflashshetookupherflirtationwithhimwhereshehadleftoff。
　　``Don’tgotothegamewithhim，Nan，’’I
　　pleaded。``It’sasillythingforyoutodo。Ofcourseyoudon’tmeananything，excepttotormentWhit。Butcutitout。Thegangwillmakehimmiserableandwe’lllosethegame。There’snotellingwhatmighthappen。’’
　　``I’msupremelyindifferenttowhathappens，’’
　　shereplied，witharebellioustossofherblackhead。``IhopeWhitgetsbeaten。’’
　　ShewenttothegamewithHendersonandsatinthegrandstand，andtheboysspiedthemoutandtoldtheRube。Hedidnotbelieveitatfirst，butfinallysawthem，lookeddeeplyhurtandoffended，andthengrewangry。Butthegong，soundingatthatmoment，drewhisattentiontohisbusinessoftheday，topitch。
　　Hisworkthatdayremindedmeofthefirstgameheeverpitchedforme，uponwhichoccasionCaptainSpearsgotthebestoutofhimbymakinghimangry。ForseveralinningsProvidencewashelplessbeforehisdelivery。Thensomethinghappenedthatshowedmeacrisiswasnear。Awagofafanyelledfromthebleachers。
　　``HoneymoonRube！’’
　　Thiscrywastakenupbythedelightedfansanditrolledaroundthefield。ButtheRubepitchedon，harderthanever。Thentheknowingbleacheritewhohadstartedthecrychangeditsomewhat。
　　``Nanny’sRube！’’heyelled。
　　This，too，wenttherounds，andstilltheRube，thoughredintheface，preservedhistemperandhispitchingcontrol。AllwouldhavebeenwellifBudWiler，comedianoftheProvidenceteam，hadnothituponawaytorattleRube。
　　``Nanny’sGoat！’’heshoutedfromthecoachinglines。EveryProvidenceplayertookitup。
　　TheRubewasnotproofagainstthat。Heyelledsofiercelyatthem，andglaredsofuriously，andtoweredsoformidably，thattheyceasedforthemoment。ThenheletdrivewithhisfaststraightballandhitthefirstProvidencebatterintheribs。Hiscomradeshadtohelphimtothebench。TheRubehitthenextbatterontheleg，andjudgingfromthecrackoftheball，Ifanciedthatplayerwouldwalklameforseveraldays。
　　TheRubetriedtohitthenextbatterandsenthimtofirstonballs。Thereafteritbecameadodgingcontestwithhonorsaboutequalbetweenpitcherandbatters。TheProvidenceplayersstormedandthebleachersroared。ButIwouldnottaketheRubeoutandthegamewentonwiththeRubeforcinginruns。
　　Withthescoreatie，andthreemenonbasesoneoftheplayersonthebenchagainyelled``Nanny’sGoat！’’
　　StraightasastringtheRubeshottheballatthisfellowandboundedafterit。Thecrowdroseinanuproar。Thebaserunnersbegantoscore。
　　Ileftmybenchandranacrossthespace，butnotintimetocatchtheRube。IsawhimhittwoorthreeoftheProvidencemen。Thenthepolicemengottohim，andarealfightbroughtthebigaudienceintothestampingmelee。BeforetheRubewascollaredIsawatleastfourblue—coatsonthegrass。
　　Thegamebrokeup，andthecrowdspilleditselfinstreamsoverthefield。Excitementranhigh。ItriedtoforcemywayintothemasstogetattheRubeandtheofficers，butthiswasimpossible。IfearedtheRubewouldbetakenfromtheofficersandtreatedwithviolence，soIwaitedwiththesurgingcrowd，endeavoringtogetnearer。Soonwewereinthestreet，anditseemedasifallthestandshademptiedtheiryellingoccupants。
　　Atrolleycarcamealongdownthestreet，splittingthemassofpeopleanddrivingthemback。
　　AdozenpolicemensummarilybundledtheRubeupontherearendofthecar。Someoftheseofficersboardedthecar，andsomeremainedinthestreettobeatoffthevengefulfans。
　　Isawsomeonethrustforwardafranticyoungwoman。Theofficersstoppedher，thensuddenlyhelpedheronthecar，justasIstarted。I
　　recognizedNan。ShegrippedtheRubewithbothhandsandturnedawhite，fearfulfaceupontheangrycrowd。
　　TheRubestoodinthegraspofhiswifeandthepolicemen，andhelookedlikearuffledlion。
　　Heshookhisbigfistandbawledinfar—reachingvoice：
　　``Icanlickyouall！’’
　　Tomyinfiniterelief，thetrolleygatheredmomentumandsafelypassedoutofdanger。ThelastthingImadeoutwasNanpressingclosetotheRube’sside。ThatmomentsawtheirreconciliationandmyjoythatitwastheendoftheRube’sHoneymoon。
　　THERUBE’SWATERLOO
　　ItwasaboutthesixthinningthatIsuspectedtheRubeofweakening。Forthatmatterhehadnotpitchedanythingresemblinghisusualbrandofbaseball。ButtheRubehaddevelopedintosuchawonderintheboxthatittooktimeforhislet—downtodawnuponme。AlsoittookatipfromRaddy，whosatwithmeonthebench。
　　``Con，theRubeisn’thimselftoday，’’saidRadbourne。``Hismind’snotonthegame。Heseemshurriedandflustered，too。Ifhedoesn’texplodepresently，I’madubatcallin’theturn。’’
　　Raddywasthebestjudgeofapitcher’scondition，physicalormental，intheEasternLeague。
　　ItwasaSaturdayandwewereontheroadandfinishingupaserieswiththeRochesters。Eachteamhadwonandlostagame，and，asIwasclimbingclosetotheleadersinthepennantrace，IwantedthethirdanddecidinggameofthatRochesterseries。TheusualbigSaturdaycrowdwasinattendance，noisy，demonstrativeandexacting。
　　InthissixthinningthefirstmanupforRochesterhadfliedtoMcCall。ThenhadcomethetwoplayssignificantofRube’sweakening。
　　Hehadhitonebatterandwalkedanother。Thiswassufficient，consideringthescorewasthreetooneinourfavor，tobringtheaudiencetoitsfeetwithahowling，stampingdemandforruns。
　　``Spearsiswiseallright，’’saidRaddy。
　　IwatchedthefoxyoldcaptainwalkovertotheRubeandtalktohimwhileherested，areassuringhandonthepitcher’sshoulder。ThecrowdyelleditsdisapprovalandUmpireBatescalledoutsharply：
　　``Spears，getbacktothebag！’’
　　``Now，MisterUmpire，ain’tIhurrin’allI
　　can？’’queriedSpearsasheleisurelyambledbacktofirst。
　　TheRubetossedalong，dampweltofhairbackfromhisbigbrowandnervouslytoedtherubber。
　　Inotedthatheseemedtoforgettherunnersonbasesanddeliveredtheballwithoutglancingateitherbag。Ofcoursethisresultedinadoublesteal。Theballwentwild——almostawildpitch。
　　``Steadyup，oldman，’’calledGreggbetweentheyellsofthebleachers。HeheldhismittsquareovertheplatefortheRubetopitchto。Againthelongtwirlertookhisswing，andagaintheballwentwild。ClancyhadtheRubeintheholenowandthesituationbegantogrowserious。
　　TheRubedidnottakehalfhisusualdeliberation，andofthenexttwopitchesoneofthemwasaballandtheotherastrikebygraceoftheumpire’sgenerosity。Clancyrappedthenextone，anabsurdlyslowpitchfortheRubetouse，andbothrunnersscoredtotheshrilltuneofthehappybleachers。
　　IsawSpearsshakehisheadandlooktowardthebench。Itwasplainwhatthatmeant。
　　``Raddy，IoughttotaketheRubeout，’’Isaid，``butwhomcanIputin？Youworkedyesterday——
　　Cairns’armissore。It’sgottobenursed。
　　AndHenderson，thatladies’manIjustsigned，isnotinuniform。’’
　　``I’llgoin，’’repliedRaddy，instantly。
　　``Notonyourlife。’’IhadashardatimekeepingRadbournefromoverworkingasIhadingettingenoughworkoutofsomeotherplayers。
　　``IguessI’lllettheRubetakehismedicine。I
　　hatetolosethisgame，butifwehaveto，wecanstandit。I’mcurious，anyway，toseewhat’sthematterwiththeRube。Maybehe’llsettledownpresently。’’
　　ImadenosignthatIhadnoticedSpears’
　　appealtothebench。Andmyaggressiveplayers，nodoubtseeingthesituationasIsawit，sangouttheirvariouscallsofcheertotheRubeandofdefiancetotheirantagonists。ClancystoleofffirstbasesofarthattheRube，catchingsomebody’swarningtoolate，madeabalkandtheumpiresenttherunnerontosecond。TheRubenowplainlyshowedpainfulevidencesofbeingrattled。
　　HecouldnotlocatetheplatewithoutslowingupandwhenhedidthataRochesterplayerwallopedtheball。Prettysoonhepitchedasifhedidnotcare，andbutforthefastfieldingoftheteambehindhimtheRochesterswouldhavescoredmorethantheeightrunsitgot。WhentheRubecameintothebenchIaskedhimifhewassickandatfirsthesaidhewasandthenthathewasnot。SoIlethimpitchtheremaininginnings，asthegamewaslostanyhow，andwewalkedoffthefieldabadlybeatenteam。
　　ThatnightwehadtohurryfromthehoteltocatchatrainforWorcesterandwehaddinnerinthedining—car。Severalofmyplayers’wiveshadcomeoverfromWorcestertomeetus，andwereinthedining—carwhenIentered。Iobservedaprettygirlsittingatoneofthetableswithmynewpitcher，Henderson。
　　``Say，Mac，’’IsaidtoMcCall，whowaswithme，``isHendersonmarried？’’
　　``Naw，buthelookslikehewantedtobe。Hewasinthegrandstandtodaywiththatgirl。’’
　　``Whoisshe？Oh！alittlepeach！’’
　　AsecondglanceatHenderson’scompanionbroughtthiscomplimentfrommeinvoluntarily。
　　``Con，you’llgetitasbadastherestofthismushybunchofballplayers。We’reallstuckonthatkid。ButsinceHendersoncameshe’sbeenafrosttoallofus。An’it’sputtheRubeinthedumps。’’
　　``Who’sthegirl？’’
　　``That’sNanBrown。ShelivesinWorcesteran’isthecraziestgirlfanIeverseen。Flirt！
　　Well，she’sgotthemallbeat。SomebodyintroducedtheRubetoher。Hehasbeenmooneyeversince。’’
　　Thatwasenoughtowhetmycuriosity，andI
　　favoredMissBrownwithmorethanoneglanceduringdinner。WhenwereturnedtotheparlorcarItookadvantageoftheopportunityandremarkedtoHendersonthathemightintroducehismanager。Hecomplied，butnotwithamiablegrace。
　　SoIchattedwithNanBrown，andstudiedher。
　　Shewasapretty，laughing，coquettishlittleminxandquitebaseballmad。Ihadmetmanygirlfans，butnonesoenthusiasticasNan。Butshewaswholesomeandsincere，andIlikedher。
　　BeforeturninginIsatdownbesidetheRube。
　　Hewasveryquietandhisfacedidnotencouragecompany。Butthatdidnotstopme。
　　``Hello，Whit;haveasmokebeforeyougotobed？’’Iaskedcheerfully。
　　Hescarcelyheardmeandmadenomovetotaketheprofferedcigar。Allatonceitstruckmethattherusticsimplicitywhichhadcharacterizedhimhadvanished。
　　``Whit，oldfellow，whatwaswrongtoday？’’
　　Iasked，quietly，withmyhandonhisarm。
　　``Mr。Connelly，Iwantmyrelease，IwanttogobacktoRickettsville，’’herepliedhurriedly。
　　ForthespaceofafewsecondsIdidsometallthinking。Thesituationsuddenlybecamegrave。
　　IsawthepennantfortheWorcestersfading，dimming。
　　``Youwanttogohome？’’Ibeganslowly。
　　``Why，Whit，Ican’tkeepyou。Iwouldn’ttryifyoudidn’twanttostay。ButI’lltellyouconfidentially，ifyouleavemeatthisstageI’mruined。’’
　　``How’sthat？’’heinquired，keenlylookingatme。
　　``Well，Ican’twinthepennantwithoutyou。IfIdowinitthere’sabigbonusforme。IcanbuythehouseIwantandgetmarriedthisfallifIcapturetheflag。You’vemetMilly。Youcanimaginewhatyourpitchingmeanstomethisyear。That’sall。’’
　　Heavertedhisfaceandlookedoutofthewindow。
　　Hisbigjawquivered。
　　``Ifit’sthat——why，I’llstay，Ireckon，’’hesaidhuskily。
　　ThatmomentboundWhitHurtleandFrankConnellyintoafarcloserrelationthantheonebetweenplayerandmanager。Isatsilentforawhile，listeningtothedrowsytalkoftheotherplayersandtherushandroarofthetrainasitspedonintothenight。
　　``Thankyou，oldchap，’’Ireplied。``Itwouldn’thavebeenlikeyoutothrowmedownatthisstage。Whit，you’reintrouble？’’
　　``Yes。’’
　　``CanIhelpyou——inanyway？’’’
　　``Ireckonnot。’’
　　``Don’tbetoosureofthat。I’maprettywiseguy，ifIdosayitmyself。Imightbeabletodoasmuchforyouasyou’regoingtodoforme。’’
　　ThesightofhisfaceconvincedmethatIhadtakenawrongtack。ItalsoshowedmehowdeepWhit’stroublereallywas。Ibadehimgoodnightandwenttomyberth，wheresleepdidnotsoonvisitme。Asaucy，sparkling—eyedwomanbarredWhitHurtle’sbaseballcareeratitsthreshold。
　　Womenarejustasfataltoballplayersastomeninanyotherwalkoflife。Ihadseenastrongathletegrowpalsiedjustatascornfulslight。It’sagreatworld，andthewomenrunit。SoIlayawakerackingmybrainstooutwitaprettydisorganizer;andIplottedforhersake。Married，shewouldbeoutofmischief。ForWhit’ssake，forMilly’ssake，formine，allofwhichcollectivelymeantforthesakeofthepennant，thiswouldbethesolutionoftheproblem。
　　IdecidedtotakeMillyintomyconfidence，andfinallyonthestrengthofthatIgottosleep。InhemorningIwenttomyhotel，hadbreakfast，attendedtomymail，andthenboardedacartogoouttoMilly’shouse。Shewaswaitingformeontheporch，dressedasIlikedtoseeher，inblueandwhite，andsheworevioletsthatmatchedthecolorofhereyes。
　　``Hello，Connie。Ihaven’tseenamorningpaper，butIknowfromyourfacethatyoulosttheRochesterseries，’’saidMilly，withagaylaugh。
　　``Iguessyes。TheRubeblewup，andifwedon’tplayaprettysmoothgame，younglady，he’llnevercomedown。’’
　　ThenItoldher。
　　``Why，Connie，Iknewlongago。Haven’tyouseenthechangeinhimbeforethis？’’
　　``Whatchange？’’Iaskedblankly。
　　``Youareaman。Well，hewasagawky，slouchy，shyfarmerboywhenhecametous。Ofcoursethecitylifeandpopularitybegantoinfluencehim。ThenhemetNan。ShemadetheRubeaworshipper。Ifirstnoticedachangeinhisclothes。Heblossomedoutinanewsuit，whitenegligee，neattieandastylishstrawhat。
　　Thenitwasevidenthewasmakingheroicstrugglestoovercomehisawkwardness。Itwasplainhewasstudyingandcopyingtheotherboys。
　　He’swonderfullyimproved，butstillshy。He’llalwaysbeshy。Connie，Whit’safinefellow，toogoodforNanBrown。’’
　　``But，Milly，’’Iinterrupted，``theRube’shardhit。Whyishetoogoodforher？’’
　　``Nanisanatural—bornflirt，’’Millyreplied。
　　``Shecan’thelpit。I’mafraidWhithasaslimchance。Nanmaynotseedeepenoughtolearnhisfinequalities。IfancyNantiredquicklyofhim，thoughtheonetimeIsawthemtogethersheappearedtolikehimverywell。Thisnewpitcherofyours，Henderson，isahandsomefellowandsmooth。Whitislosingtohim。Nanlikesflash，flattery，excitement。’’
　　``McCalltoldmetheRubehadbeendowninthemoutheversinceHendersonjoinedtheteam。
　　Milly，Idon’tlikeHendersonawholelot。He’snotintheRube’sclassasapitcher。WhatamI
　　goingtodo？Losethepennantandabigsliceofpursemoneyjustforaprettylittleflirt？’’
　　``Oh，Connie，it’snotsobadasthat。Whitwillcomearoundallright。’’
　　``Hewon’tunlesswecanpullsomewires。I’vegottohelphimwinNanBrown。Whatdoyouthinkofthatforamanager’sjob？Iguessmaybewinningpennantsdoesn’tcallfordiplomaticgeniusandcunning！ButI’llhandthemafewtricksbeforeIlose。MyfirstmovewillbetogiveHendersonhisrelease。
　　IleftMilly，asalways，oncemoreabletomakelightofdiscouragementsanddifficulties。
　　MondayIgaveHendersonhisunconditionalrelease。HecelebratedtheoccasionbyverifyingcertainrumorsIhadheardfromothermanagers。
　　Hegotdrunk。Buthedidnotleavetown，andI
　　heardthathewasnegotiatingwithProvidenceforaplaceonthatteam。
　　Radbournepitchedoneofhisgilt—edgedgamesthatafternoonagainstHartfordandwewon。
　　AndMillysatinthegrandstand，havingcontrivedbyclevernesstogetaseatnexttoNanBrown。MillyandIwereplayingavastlydeepergamethanbaseball——agamewithhearts。Butwewereplayingitwithhonestmotive，forthegoodofallconcerned，webelieved，andonthesquare。
　　Isneakedalooknowandthenupintothegrandstand。MillyandNanappearedtobegettingonfamously。ItwascertainthatNanwasflushedandexcited，nodoubtconsciouslyproudofbeingseenwithmyaffianced。AfterthegameIchancedtomeetthemontheirwayout。Millywinkedatme，whichwashersignthatallwasworkingbeautifully。
　　IhunteduptheRubeandbundledhimofftothehoteltotakedinnerwithme。Atfirsthewasglum，butafterawhilehebrightenedupsomewhattomypersistentcheerandfriendliness。
　　Thenwewentoutonthehotelbalconytosmoke，andthereImademyplay。
　　``Whit，I’mpullingastrokeforyou。Nowlistenanddon’tbeoffended。Iknowwhat’sputyouoffyourfeed，becauseIwasthesamewaywhenMillyhadmeguessing。You’velostyourheadoverNanBrown。That’snotsoterrible，thoughI
　　daresayyouthinkit’sacatastrophe。Becauseyou’vequit。You’veshownayellowstreak。
　　You’velaindown。
　　``Myboy，thatisn’tthewaytowinagirl。
　　You’vegottoscrap。MillytoldmeyesterdayhowshehadwatchedyourloveaffairswithNan，andhowshethoughtyouhadgivenupjustwhenthingsmighthavecomeyourway。Nanisalittleflirt，butshe’sallright。What’smore，shewasgettingfondofyou。Nanismeanesttothemanshelikesbest。Thewaytohandleher，Whit，istomasterher。Playhighandmighty。Gettragical。Thengrabherupinyourarms。Itellyou，Whit，it’llallcomeyourwayifyouonlykeepyournerve。I’myourfriendandsoisMilly。
　　We’regoingouttoherhousepresently——andNanwillbethere。’’
　　TheRubedrewalong，deepbreathandheldouthishand。IsensedanotherstageintheevolutionofWhitHurtle。
　　``IreckonI’vetakenbaseballcoachin’，’’hesaidpresently，``an’Idon’tseewhyIcan’ttakesomeotherkind。I’monlyarube，an’thingscomehardforme，butI’ma—learnin’。’’
　　Itwasaboutdarkwhenwearrivedatthehouse。
　　``Hello，Connie。You’relate。Goodevening，Mr。Hurtle。Comerightin。You’vemetMissNanBrown？Oh，ofcourse;howstupidofme！’’
　　ItwasatryingmomentforMillyandme。A
　　littlepallorshowedundertheRube’stan，buthewasmorecomposedthanIhadexpected。Nangotupfromthepiano。Shewasallinwhiteanddeliciouslypretty。Shegaveaquick，gladstartofsurprise。Whatareliefthatwastomytroubledmind！EverythinghaddependeduponarealhonestlikingforWhit，andshehadit。
　　MorethanonceIhadbeenproudofMilly’scleverness，butthisnightashostessandanaccompliceshewonmyeverlastingadmiration。
　　ShecontrivedtogivetheimpressionthatWhitwasafrequentvisitoratherhomeandverywelcome。Shebroughtouthisbestpoints，andinherskillfulhandshelostembarrassmentandawkwardness。
　　BeforetheeveningwasoverNanregardedWhitwithdifferenteyes，andsheneverdreamedthateverythinghadnotcomeaboutnaturally。ThenMillysomehowgotmeoutontheporch，leavingNanandWhittogether。
　　``Milly，you’reamarvel，thebestandsweetestever，’’Iwhispered。``We’regoingtowin。It’sacinch。’’
　　``Well，Connie，notthat——exactly，’’shewhisperedbackdemurely。``Butitlookshopeful。’’
　　Icouldnothelphearingwhatwassaidintheparlor。
　　``NowIcanroastyou，’’Nanwassaying，archly。
　　Shehadswitchedbacktoherfavoritebaseballvernacular。``YoupitchedaswellgamelastSaturdayinRochester，didn’tyou？Not！Youhadnosteam，nocontrol，andyoucouldn’thavecurvedasaucer。’’
　　``Nan，whatcouldyouexpect？’’wasthecoolreply。``Yousatupinthestandwithyourhandsomefriend。IreckonIcouldn’tpitch。Ijustgavethegameaway。’’
　　``Whit！——Whit！————’’
　　ThenIwhisperedtoMillythatitmightbediscreetforustomovealittlewayfromthevicinity。
　　ItwasontheseconddayafterwardthatIgotachancetotalktoNan。Shereachedthegroundsearly，beforeMillyarrived，andIfoundherinthegrandstand。TheRubewasdownonthecardtopitchandwhenhestartedtowarmupNansaidconfidentlythathewouldshutoutHartfordthatafternoon。
　　``I’msorry，Nan，butyou’rewayoff。We’ddowelltowinatall，letalonegetashutout。’’
　　``You’reafinemanager！’’sheretorted，hotly。
　　``Whywon’twewin？’’
　　``Well，theRube’snotingoodform。TheRube————’’
　　``Stopcallinghimthathorridname。’’
　　``Whit’snotinshape。He’snotright。He’sillorsomethingiswrong。I’mworriedsickabouthim。’’
　　``Why——Mr。Connelly！’’exclaimedNan。Sheturnedquicklytowardme。
　　Icrowdedonfullcanvasofgloomtomyalreadylongface。
　　``I’mserious，Nan。Thelad’soff，somehow。
　　He’sinmagnificentphysicaltrim，buthecan’tkeephismindonthegame。Hehaslosthishead。
　　I’vetalkedwithhim，reasonedwithhim，alltonogood。Heonlygoesdowndeeperinthedumps。
　　Somethingisterriblywrongwithhim，andifhedoesn’tbrace，I’llhavetorelease————’’
　　MissNanBrownsuddenlylostalittleofherrichbloom。``Oh！youwouldn’t——youcouldn’treleasehim！’’
　　``I’llhavetoifhedoesn’tbrace。Itmeansalottome，Nan，forofcourseIcan’twinthepennantthisyearwithoutWhitbeinginshape。ButIbelieveIwouldn’tmindthelossofthatanymorethantoseehimfalldown。Theboyisamagnificentpitcher。Ifhecanonlybebroughtaroundhe’llgotothebigleaguenextyearanddevelopintooneofthegreatestpitchersthegamehaseverproduced。Butsomehoworotherhehaslostheart。He’squit。AndI’vedonemybestforhim。He’sbeyondmenow。Whatashameitis！Forhe’sthemakingofsuchasplendidmanoutsideofbaseball。Millythinkstheworldofhim。Well，well;therearedisappointments——
　　wecan’thelpthem。Theregoesthegong。Imustleaveyou。Nan，I’llbetyouaboxofcandyWhitlosestoday。Isitago？’’
　　``Itis，’’repliedNan，withfireinhereyes。
　　``YougotoWhitHurtleandtellhimIsaidifhewinstoday’sgameI’llkisshim！’’
　　InearlybrokemyneckoverbenchesandbatsgettingtoWhitwiththatmessage。Hegulpedonce。
　　ThenhetightenedhisbeltandshutoutHartfordwithtwoscratchsingles。Itwasagreatexhibitionofpitching。IhadnomeanstotellwhetherornottheRubegothisrewardthatnight，butIwassohappythatIhuggedMillywithinaninchofherlife。
　　ButitturnedoutthatIhadbeenalittleprematureinmyelation。IntwodaystheRubewentdownintothedepthsagain，thistimecleartoChina，andNanwassittinginthegrandstandwithHenderson。TheRubelosthisnextgame，pitchinglikeaschoolboyscaredoutofhiswits。
　　HendersonfollowedNanlikeashadow，sothatI
　　hadnochancetotalktoher。TheRubelosthisnextgameandthenanother。Wewerepushedoutofsecondplace。
　　Ifwekeptupthatlosingstreakalittlelonger，ourhopesforthepennantweregone。IhadbeguntodespairoftheRube。Forsomeoccultreasonhescarcelyspoketome。Nanflirtedworsethanever。ItseemedtomesheflauntedherconquestofHendersoninpoorWhit’sface。
　　TheProvidenceballteamcametotownandpromptlysignedHendersonandannouncedhimforSaturday’sgame。CairnswonthefirstoftheseriesandRadbournelostthesecond。ItwasRube’sturntopitchtheSaturdaygameandI
　　resolvedtomakeonemoreefforttoputthelove—
　　sickswaininsomethinglikehisoldfettle。SoI
　　calleduponNan。
　　Shewassurprisedtoseeme，butreceivedmegraciously。Ifanciedherfacewasnotquitesoglowingasusual。Icamebluntlyoutwithmymission。ShetriedtofreezemebutIwouldnotfreeze。Iwasouttowinorloseandnottobelightlylaughedasideorcoldlydenied。Iplayedtomakeherangry，knowingtherealtruthofherfeelingswouldshowunderstress。
　　ForonceinmylifeIbecameaknockerandsaidsomeunpleasantthings——albeittheyweretrue——
　　aboutHenderson。ShechampionedHendersonroyally，andwhen，asalastcard，IcomparedWhit’sfinerecordwithHenderson’s，notonlyasaballplayer，butasaman，particularlyinhisreverenceforwomen，sheflashedatme：
　　``Whatdoyouknowaboutit？Mr。Hendersonaskedmetomarryhim。Canamandomoretoshowhisrespect？Yourfriendneversomuchashintedsuchhonorableintentions。What’smore——heinsultedme！’’TheblazeinNan’sblackeyessoftenedwithafilmoftears。Shelookedhurt。Herpridehadencounteredafall。
　　``Oh，no，Nan，Whitcouldn’tinsultalady，’’I
　　protested。
　　``Couldn’the？That’sallyouknowabouthim。
　　YouknowI——IpromisedtokisshimifhebeatHartfordthatday。SowhenhecameI——Idid。
　　Thenthebigsavagebegantoraveandhegrabbedmeupinhisarms。Hesmotheredme;almostcrushedthelifeoutofme。Hefrightenedmeterribly。WhenIgotawayfromhim——themonsterstoodthereandcoollysaidIbelongedtohim。I
　　ranoutoftheroomandwouldn’tseehimanymore。AtfirstImighthaveforgivenhimifhehadapologized——saidhewassorry，butneveraword。NowIneverwillforgivehim。’’
　　Ihadtomakeastrenuousefforttoconcealmyagitation。TheRubehadmostcarefullytakenmyfooladviceinthematterofwooingawoman。
　　WhenIhadgotaholduponmyself，IturnedtoNanwhite—hotwitheloquence。NowIwastalkingnotwhollyformyselforthepennant，butforthisboyandgirlwhowereatoddsinthatstrangestgameoflife——love。
　　WhatIsaidIneverknew，butNanlostherresentment，andthenherscornandindifference。
　　Slowlyshethawedandwarmedtomyreason，praise，whateveritwas，andwhenIstoppedshewasagaintheradiantbewilderingNanofold。
　　``TakeanothermessagetoWhitforme，’’shesaid，audaciously。``TellhimIadoreballplayers，especiallypitchers。TellhimI’mgoingtothegametodaytochoosethebestone。Ifhelosesthegame————’’
　　Sheleftthesentenceunfinished。InmystateofmindIdoubtednotintheleastthatshemeanttomarrythepitcherwhowonthegame，andsoItoldtheRube。Hemadeonewildupheavalofhisarmsandshoulders，likeaneruptingvolcano，whichprovedtomethathebelievedit，too。
　　WhenIgottothebenchthatafternoonIwastired。Therewasabigcrowdtoseethegame;
　　theweatherwasperfect;Millysatupintheboxandwavedherscorecardatme;RaddyandSpearsdeclaredwehadthegame;theRubestalkedtoandfrolikeanimplacableIndianchief——butIwasnothappyinmind。Calamitybreathedintheveryair。
　　Thegamebegan。McCallbeatoutabunt;AshwellsacrificedandStringerlacedoneofhisbeautifultriplesagainstthefence。Thenhescoredonahighfly。Tworuns！Worcestertrottedoutintothefield。TheRubewaswhitewithdetermination;
　　hehadthespeedofabulletandperfectcontrolofhisjumpballanddrop。ButProvidencehitandhadtheluck。Ashwellfumbled，Greggthrewwild。Providencetiedthescore。
　　Thegameprogressed，growingmoreandmoreofanightmaretome。ItwasnotWorcester’sday。Theumpirecouldnotseestraight;theboysgrumbledandfoughtamongthemselves;Spearsroastedtheumpireandwassenttothebench;
　　Bogarttripped，hurtinghissoreankle，andhadtobetakenout。Henderson’sslow，easyballbaffledmyplayers，andwhenheusedspeedtheylineditstraightataProvidencefielder。
　　Inthesixth，afteradesperaterally，wecrowdedthebaseswithonlyoneout。ThenMullaney’shardraptoleft，seeminglygoodforthreebases，waspulleddownbyStonewithonehand。Itwasawonderfulcatchandhedoubleduparunneratsecond。Againintheseventhwehadachancetoscore，onlytofailonanotherdoubleplay，thistimebytheinfield。
　　WhentheProvidenceplayerswereatbattheirlucknotonlyheldgoodbuttrebledandquadrupled。ThelittleTexas—leaguehitsdroppedsafelyjustoutofreachoftheinfielders。Myboyshadanoffdayinfielding。Whathorrorthatofalldaysinaseasonthisshouldbetheoneforthemtomakeerrors！
　　Buttheyweregame，andtheRubewasthegamestofall。Hedidnotseemtoknowwhathardluckwas，ordiscouragement，orpoorsupport。
　　HekepteverlastinglyhammeringtheballatthoseluckyProvidencehitters。Whatspeedhehad！Theballstreakedin，andsomebodywouldshuthiseyesandmakeasafety。ButtheRubepitched，on，tireless，irresistibly，hopeful，notforgettingtocallawordofcheertohisfielders。
　　Itwasoneofthosestrangegamesthatcouldnotbebetteredbyanylaborordaringorskill。
　　Isawitwaslostfromthesecondinning，yetsodeeplywasIconcerned，sotantalizinglydidtheplaysreelthemselvesoff，thatIgroveledthereonthebenchunabletoabidebymybaseballsense。
　　Theninthinningprovedbeyondashadowofdoubthowbaseballfate，incommonwithotherfates，lovedtobalancethechances，toliftupone，thentheother，tolendadeceitfulhopeonlytodashitaway。
　　Providencehadalmostthreetimesenoughtowin。Theteamletupinthatinningorgrewover—
　　confidentorcareless，andbeforeweknewwhathadhappenedsomescratchhits，andbasesonballs，anderrors，gaveusthreerunsandlefttworunnersonbases。Thedisgustedbleacherscameoutoftheirgloomandbegantowhistleandthump。TheRubehitsafely，sendinganotherrunovertheplate。McCallworkedhisoldtrick，beatingoutaslowbunt。
　　Basesfull，threerunstotie！WithAshwellupandoneout，thenoiseinthebleachersmountedtoahigh—pitched，shrill，continuoussound。Igotupandyelledwithallmymightandcouldnothearmyvoice。Ashwellwasadangerousmaninapinch。Thegamewasnotlostyet。Ahit，anythingtogetAshtofirst——andthenStringer！
　　AshlaughedatHenderson，tauntedhim，shookhisbatathimanddaredhimtoputoneover。
　　Hendersondidnotstandunderfire。Theballhepitchedhadnosteam。Ashcrackedit——squareonthelineintotheshortstop’shands。Thebleachersceasedyelling。
　　ThenStringerstrodegrimlytotheplate。Itwasahundredtoone，inthatinstance，thathewouldlosetheball。Thebleachersletoutonedeafeningroar，thenhushed。IwouldratherhavehadStringeratthebatthananyotherplayerintheworld，andIthoughtoftheRubeandNanandMilly——andhopewouldnotdie。
　　Stringerswungmightilyonthefirstpitchandstrucktheballwithasharp，solidbing！Itshottowardcenter，low，level，exceedinglyswift，andlikeadarkstreakwentstraightintothefielder’shands。Arodtorightorleftwouldhavemadeitahomerun。Thecrowdstrangledavictoriousyell。Icameoutofmytrance，forthegamewasoverandlost。ItwastheRube’sWaterloo。
　　Ihurriedhimintothedressingroomandkeptclosetohim。Helookedlikeamanwhohadlosttheonethingworthwhileinhislife。Iturnedadeafeartomyplayers，toeverybody，andhustledtheRubeoutandtothehotel。Iwantedtobenearhimthatnight。
　　TomyamazewemetMillyandNanasweenteredthelobby。Millyworeasweet，sympatheticsmile。Nanshonemoreradiantthanever。
　　Isimplystared。ItwasMillywhogotusallthroughthecorridorintotheparlor。IheardNantalking。
　　``Whit，youpitchedabadgamebut——’’therewastheoldteasing，arch，coquettishness——``butyouarethebestpitcher！’’
　　``Nan！’’
　　``Yes！’’
　　BREAKINGINTOFASTCOMPANY
　　Theymaysaybaseballisthesameintheminorleaguesthatitisinthebigleagues，butanyoldballplayerormanagerknowsbetter。Wherethedifferencecomesin，however，isinthegreaterexcellenceandunityofthemajorplayers，aspeed，adaring，afinishthatcanbeacquiredonlyincompetitionwithoneanother。
　　IthoughtofthiswhenIledmypartyintoMorrisey’sprivateboxinthegrandstandoftheChicagoAmericanLeaguegrounds。WehadcometoseetheRube’sbreakintofastcompany。
　　Mygreatpitcher，WhittakerHurtle，theRube，aswecalledhim，hadwontheEasternLeaguePennantformethatseason，andMorrisey，theChicagomagnate，hadboughthim。Milly，myaffianced，waswithme，lookingashappyasshewaspretty，andshewaschaperonedbyhermother，Mrs。Nelson。
　　Withme，also，weretwoveteransofmyteam，McCallandSpears，wholivedinChicago，andwhowouldhavetraveledafewmilestoseetheRubepitch。AndtheothermemberofmypartywasMrs。Hurtle，theRube’swife，assaucyandassparkling—eyedaswhenshehadbeenNanBrown。Todaysheworeanewtailor—madegown，newbonnet，newgloves——shesaidshehaddecoratedherselfinamannerbefittingthewifeofamajorleaguepitcher。
　　Morrisey’sboxwasverycomfortable，and，asIwaspleasedtonote，sosituatedthatwehadafineviewofthefieldandstands，andyetwerecomparativelysecluded。Thebleacherswerefilling。
　　SomeoftheChicagoplayerswereonthefieldtossingandbattingballs;theRube，however，hadnotyetappeared。
　　Amomentlaterametallicsoundwasheardonthestairsleadingupintothebox。Iknewitforbaseballspikedshoesclankingonthewood。
　　TheRube，lookingenormousinhisuniform，stalkedintothebox，knockingovertwochairsasheentered。Hecarriedafielder’sgloveinonehugefreckledhand，andabigblackbatintheother。
　　Nan，withmuchdignityandaverymanifestpride，introducedhimtoMrs。Nelson。
　　Therewasalittlechatting，andthen，uponthearrivalofManagerMorrisey，wemenretiredtothebackoftheboxtotalkbaseball。
　　Chicagowasinfourthplaceintheleaguerace，andhadafightingchancetobeatDetroitoutforthethirdposition。Philadelphiawasscheduledforthatday，andPhiladelphiahadagreatteam。
　　Itwasleadingtherace，andalmostbeyondallquestionwouldlandtheflag。Intruth，onlyonemorevictorywasneededtoclinchthepennant。
　　TheteamhadthreegamestoplayinChicagoanditwastowinduptheseasonwiththreeinWashington。Sixgamestoplayandonlyoneimperativelyimportanttowin！Butbaseballisuncertain，anduntilthePhiladelphianswonthatgametheywouldbeabandoffiends。
　　``Well，Whit，thisiswhereyoubreakin，’’I
　　said。``Now，tipusstraight。You’vehadmorethanaweek’srest。How’sthatarm？’’
　　``Grand，Con，grand！’’repliedtheRubewithhisfranksmile。``IwasalittleanxioustillI
　　warmedup。Butsay！I’vegotmoreupmysleevetodaythanIeverhad。’’
　　``That’lldoforme，’’saidMorrisey，rubbinghishands。``I’llspringsomethingontheseswelledQuakerstoday。Now，Connelly，giveHurtleoneofyouroldtalks——thelastone——andthenI’llringthegong。’’
　　Iaddedsomewordsofencouragement，notforgettingmyoldrusetoincitetheRubebyrousinghistemper。Andthen，asthegongrangandtheRubewasdeparting，Nansteppedforwardforhersay。Therewasalittlewhiteunderthetanonhercheek，andhereyeshadadarklingflash。