Le Roy Central School - O At Kan Yearbook (Le Roy, NY)

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Commencement Number TIH E R E D A N D B L A C K Pa ge Twenty-five I have been so horrid? Percival has made himself unpopu- lar with all the worth while boys and girls. 1've treated poor Buddy dreadfully since he said he didn't like Percival and I wouldn't listen to Edith when she tried to tell me about him. But I listened to him meekly when he talked about out little country schoolj the 'clownish boys' and laughed about 'Main street! Why? Simply because his money, wonderful car, and stunning clothes, dazzled me, I suppose. And it has taken this to wake me up to the realization of my own folly. Oh. you are a nice one, she told her reflection. trying to look and act about ten years older just to make an impression. Nora O'Malley! You deserve to be hated. Perhaps it was not quite an hour later when Mrs. 0'- Malley called, Nora! Phone call. Jim wants you. She made no comment on her daughters changed ap- pearance as she hurried down the stairs. Nora's hair hung in its customary short curls and she was wearing a white linen dress which she had discarded because it made her look too young- Nora ? came her brother's voice. Yes, t'randalton is losing. although we have played but two innings. Urandalton QA----M losing --A. Yes It's this fancy Boston guy. He's no good. Ben- ton's taking bases o11 balls as fast as he pitches 'em over. Jimi We can't lose. We can't- Tl1ey won last year and But I tell you we will- If it e11ds as it has -begun. Benton will have a big score piled up against us. unless ,- Jim, Jim. wailed Nora. Listen to me. C. H. S. is going to lose as sure as fate unless we get a good pitcher mighty quick. Third in- ning has just begun. Do you happen to know a good one with red hair! You mean ---if---? Yes, Get him here unless you want Prandalton to taste defeat again. You'll have to hurry. And, Nora m.-3 But she had already hung up. Snatching up a favorite old scarlet sport jacket, Nora pulled it on as she ran up the street at top speed. dignity thrown to tl1e winds. A breathless little whirlwind dashed into the M4-Allister living room and fairly pulled Buddy from his chair. Quick! she gasped. t'randalton's losing! It's Percival! He can't pitch -f--. Come on -Q. You've got to get there ---. But Nora. protested Buddy. They didn't want me- They thought he was better. I'm 11ot going to horn in now. Buddy McAllister. Nora stamped her foot. Don't you dare talk like that! They didn't know! But they know now. What do you care about those boys? Personal feelings shouldn't cou11t: the big thing is for Crandalton to win. She was unconciously expressing the words that Jim had told her were Buddy's- Is your baseball suit here? Then go and get it on. I'll give you tive minutes. All right, Buddy's voice was jubilant as he took the stairs three steps at a time. tearing off his sweater. Get out 'The Turtlef The folks are using the big car. Exactly seven minutes later, the little green car shot out of the drive Way, narrowly missed the silent policeman at the corner, and whirled past a startled pedestrian. Once out of town, they went even faster. Fields, farm houses. telephone poles. flashed by. People turned to stare at the flying car with its two occupants: a red haired boy in a baseball suit and a dark haired girl at the wheel. Third inning is probably about over, shouted Buddy. Nora nodded and opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by a low report. A blow-out! And the spare tire is in the garage. groaned Buddy. We are right i11 front of a farm house. exclaimed Nora. They knocked and called in vain. No-body home! Nora looked at Buddy. despair in her eyes. Then her face lighted. 'Tm sure I saw a car through that open barn door. Let's see! No sooner said than done. There was a rather dilapi- dated Ford, and Nora cried out with joy. An extra tire was strapped at the rear. Take it, Buddy. quick! The car? No, No! The tire. , But --Q, murnmred Buddy. But, nothing! Bring it along. I'll copy the name off their mailbox and we'll semi 'em the money later. In a short time they were once more .skimming the white road with the smoke from Benton factories curling upward in the distance. The down hearted and hopeless members of the Cran- dalton team were just about to take their places for the fifth inning. There came a crash, and through an opening in the fence flashed a home made green racer. With a SO1'99C'llill2 of brakes it slid to a sudden stand-still almost at the edge of the diamond. As a red haired boy leaped from the car. a wave of noise swept the l'randalton section of rooters: the tense faces of the players relaxed and they crowded around him with shouts of joy. The Benton pitch- er sauntered over to the group, a sneer twisting his lips. Better get out while the gettings good. Score is S to tl in favor of us,'y he informed the new-comer. That so? questioned Buddy. slanting his cap jauntily over 0119 eye. We'll have to see what we can do to change that. After a few brief explanations the players went on to the field. There was one ditference. however. Percival Anthony Chesterton was reposing on the substitute bench. a sullen look on l1is face. while Buddy was in his usual place. Good night, groaned a Benton rooter. Look at that red headed guy pitch. If this keeps up And he had cause to worry for Buddy was pitching

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entered the house he was pale but perfectly self-controll- Page Twenty-four T H E R E D A N Un a certain Saturday morning the whole world seem- ed flooded with sunshine. It appeared to be just an ordin- ary spring day in late May to most people.. To every boy or girl who attended Crandalton High it was vitally im- portant. At three o'clock the Crandalton base ball team would face that of her enemy on the Benton diamond. The McAllister phone rang and Buddy eagerly snatch- ed down the receiver. He was in a fever of expectancy for, as the crack pitcher. of the Crandalton team, today he would be called upon to uphold the fame of his school- As he listened to the voice at the other end of the wire he tiushed hotly at first, but before the conversation was finished his face was very white. A few moments after- wards he walked through the kitchen and his mother ask- ed. Going over to practice, sonny'? He paused, hand on the door-knob, his back toward her. 'tNo, he answered i11 a voice which strove to be in- different. 'Tm not playing to-day. He went down the back steps whistling. Mrs. Mc- Allister stared after her son's retreating back. incredulity written on her face. Buddy not going to play? Impos- sible! Why, l1e'd planned on this for weeks. What could have happened? Buddy, out of sight of tl1e house. threw himself face down beneath an apple tree in the garden. In less than live hours the two teams would meet. He could see every member of his own team: knew just how they would look. There would be a big crowd. banners waving, students cheering. And then, they would battle it out to the end. McKnight catching. Brayford at Iirst base. and he --A--f he wouldn't be there. Someone else would be pitching for Urandalton. He dug his hands into the turf and his should- ers heaved. Buddy fought his battle alone and when he Nora sank down among the bright- ed. Nora, seated before her dressing table, was slowly a11d painfully arranging at a pictured coiffur denly her brother's Nora. Nora! What to play? Nora rushed to going -- -W A- to her dark hair. now and then glancing c which she was trying to imitate. Sud- voice boomed through the lower hall. 's this I heal' about Buddy's not going the stairway. t'Buddy i4---- not play? Her eyes were wide. Why, Jim, it can't be true! Well, it The pitcher representing Crandalton this afternoon is to be none other than your high and mighty friend, Mr. Percival Anthony Chesterton. Nora collapsed against the bannister. live never seen him play. How did they happen to put him in? Oh, I forgot that you didn't know Coach Henderson is sick. He appointed Burley and Chesterton are pretty thick you know. So Percival has bee11 substituting and doing pretty well. Buddy hu1't l1is hand yesterday and played badly at practice last night. This morning Burley called him up and said that the team had decided to let Chesterton have his place. They added insult to injury by offering to let Buddy-HBuddy. lnind you, Substitute. Nora's eyes were flashing. Buddy a sub. Whyif' D B L A C K Commencement Number 0 Of course he refused to go. Th in this fellow. Buddy is the best find Crandalton Since you pitched yourself. his But say, this is serious, puttin put se kids are crazy to High has had -. sister put in slyly. him out of the big- gest game of all, when he's played b ter than anyone else this season. He's worked so hard . You've always had a lot of inguence with the boys- Isn't there anything we can do? Jim shook his head. I'm afraid Knight and Lee Brayford as I was feel as badly about it as I do. Thr ones on the team who have sense enou of changing pitchers. They are using it seems to me. l not. Met Bob Mc- coming home. They rse two are the only gh to-fear the results a mighty poor policy, Buddy is so sensitive. said Nora. He probably thinks that they are putting him out good. I don't know. Mac and Lee haf when they stopped me to unburden said that they told Buddy they woul of 'em didn't give in and put him i Buddy just answered that they simply dalto11 and not back down just beca than he had been discove1'ed. He lau then, and added that after all it wa. big thing was for his school to win : should'n't be considered. Game kid, al Jim. said Nora slowly, Perri to the game, but ----. Oh, is that the wherefore of all Jim questioned teasingly. as he noticed and orange sweater- Well, Im on t so lf' Just a moment. Jim. I don't cal val just IIUWV. Would you mind stol ton's and telling hiln that I've chan not going. - XVill I? You bet your sweet life You can go with me just as well as in front. No, thanks, answered Nora ant she 1'a11 into her room and shut the rll Girls certainly are the funniest swung out the door and over the I planned on this ever since the season isn't going. Hum! window seat. The Benton game! XVI out Buddy playing? Oh. it was cruel, him out like this. I hate Percival. s too mean for anything. He's jealous ability a11d he has just done this on pr Crossing to her dressing table. Nor at her flushed. angry, face ill the mirr I can see it all. now, she decls hairpins and tossing them on an ivory because he isn't any just been to see him their sorrow. They dn't play if the rest n his rightful place. ' must play for Uran- .use a better pitcher rhed, sort of bitterly, for the best. The ind personal feelings l right! val asked me to go the splashy regalia? her white satin skirt he way to the game 'e to encounter Perci- ming at the Chester- ed my mind. I am 1 will. grinned Jim. not. The car is out l. whirling suddenly, 'lOl' mused Jim as hc Iorch railing. She-'s started tllld now she -hued cushions on her lat would it be with- cruel of them to drop she exclaimed. He's of Buddy's athletic lrpose- I know it. a started as she gazed 0I'. Lred, jerking out her tray. Uh. how could

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Page Twenty-six T H E R E D .A ND BLACK Com mencement Number his most bewildering curves across the plate. Benton had been so sure of winning that they had grown careless. The first man had gone to bat, recklessly and throwing jests to the crowd. He struck out. So did the one who fol- lowed him, and the next. The grandstand became a howl- ing mob. Then Urandalton began to score. Buddy played as he never had before but it. seemed as if he were moving in a dream. Finally the score stood 10-10- It was the last inning and Urandalton was up to bat. The Benton pitcher was determined that Grandalton should not score. Ex- citement, which had been at a high pitch all through the game. died down for a while, the spectators worn out with shouting. Suddenly Benton realized what was happening. Three t'randalton men on bases and the red headed player up to bat- - So much depended on him! Buddy glanced around: at Nora standing by the bleachers with Jim, at The Turtlej' which had carried them to Benton in record-breaking time, at Percival slumped in the sub bench, at the pitcher, who was grimly sizing him up. He drew a deep breath and held his bat lightly: he did 11ot swing it as the others had but held it still. Then the ball was coming toward him. He struck and missed. Again he struck and again he missed. One more strike! A deadly quiet had fallen over the watchers. Buddy knew that all Urandalton was holding its breath. Again the ball was curving toward him. He struck --4. Every person was on his feet. Vp. up. soared the ball. It Seemed to be going into the very clouds. And in the 1119311- time. Buddy and the other three were tearing round the diamond, every muscle straining, while the Benton players were frantically begging their out-fielders to catch it. But the ball flew on de- and over the high fence which sur- rounded the athletic field. As Buddy slid home in a cloud of dust hc heard a great shouting and stamping. The game was theirs, 14-10. ' Buddy rose a bit unsteadily to his feet. Lee Brayford was pounding him on the back and shouting, XVe've won, man! We've won! Buddy, old boy. you've saved the day for Crandalton. Bob Mt-Knight turned a hand-spring and came up in front of Buddy. grinning. lVhat does it feel like to be a hero? Won! Your name will go down in the annals of U. H. S. as the hero who won the Benton Game. Buddy started at his two friends in blank amazement. Then he beheld a multitude of Urandalton students rush- ing down on him and yelling, lVho's the hero of Crandalton High 'B Xvllll hit the pill clear up to thesky? Buddy Mac! Buddy Mac! For the fraction of a second Buddy stood, then he bolt- ed. A cry went up. Hey NVhere are YOU 20illSI'! For the love of Pete! Come back. Buddy! Don't let him get away ! t atch him ! Straight to the car sped Buddy. where Nora was wait- ing for him. Jim, seeing and unde ment, had hastily cranked The rstanding his predica- Turtle. lion-hearted. on being hailed a hero, retreat. Great guns. Nora, he gasped le seat. Did you hear that? They t For Buddy the was beating a hasty aping i11to the driver's hink I won the game. Let's get out of here quick. Oh, lordy! Nora was laughing so hard that speak hut she knew Buddy's horror of managed to say. The hole in the The entire student body, bent dashed up just as the little green vanished the way it had come. Crandalton. Urandalton! Sis boom bah! Buddy. Buddy! Rah, rah, rah! The yells died away and they Nora was the first to speak. Here they come l she could scarcely facing a crowd and fence ! 011 Cill' congratulating Buddy, right-about-faced and sped along in silence. 0 , it was just glori- ous. And even though you'll never a hero, Buddy. Aw, please. Nora. don't begin If you hadn't come for me 1 wouldn't have gone. We couldn't have gotten there withou how, we probably would have won that last strike I made was pure l if Nora smiled knowingly to hersel Buddy, glancing sidewise at comfortably. Well, let's say 'The hc suggested- ' her d it it. you are a real that, begged Buddy., t 'The Turtle? Any- Lee had pitched. And uck f. , saw and tiushed un- 'llurtle' won the day, All right. I'll agree on one condition. conceded Nora, laughing. XVell '? HI heard Jim say that you and he are going fishing to-morrow. May I go, too, please Buddy? Your mother won't let you. Eagerly. I'll skip out-the back way and --. Aw, what do you want to go for? You know you're scared of the worms. Well, indignantly. they wiggle and squirm just a wful. Youll yell and scare the fish will continued Buddv But th 1 - L ' 9 brown eyes wl1icl1 he kept fixed This was like the old Nora. f'No, I won't scare 'em, Buddy. blue- I 'spose I'll have to let you c . 1 probably be out riding with Pei And he knocked C. H. S. all of about something cheerful. Hum-m! Well then. how a That IIPNV Yvestern serial begins. grown the 'Continued next Satu falls over the cliff,' kind? re -iva away. You know you was a twinkle in his steadfastly on the road. Honest true, black and ome. I thought you'd l Anthony. n. All he talked about 0h. Buddy. he bored me to deatl was his wonderful ancesters, and l the time. Oh.. let's talk bon wonderful friends. iis .t the movies to-nif-Thi? But maybe you've out- rda y. come and see who