Norway High School - Caduceus Yearbook (Norway, ME)

Page 26 text:

20 THE CADUCEUS for the ball, but couldn't find it. Another ball was put i11 use and only four balls were left as they had used one new one for prac- tice. After hitting that foul Randolph struck out. The first baseman got up and was hit by the ball. Ile started after the pitcher but Mr. Perkins restrained him, saying that he would be put out of the game. So he went to first, putting Emerson on second. The second baseman swung at three, missed them by a foot and a half and sat down. Red Eastman hit a hard one into the right field. Chuck Wiggins began to look for the ball but failed to find it even after a few others helped him in his search. Meanwhile Eastman had started for the home plate, chasing Emerson and the Crows' first baseman. There was an argu- ment about how many bases Red could have on that hit because the ball was lost. Finally they gave him two bases, bringing Emerson home and leaving a man 011 first and third. The Crows were ahead 1-0. The next batter struck out, ending that inn- ing. There was no change in the score by the seventh inning but-physically, there was a change in the men. The fielders had sore backs. Both pitchers had sore arms and were perspiring freely. Red Eastman had a bruise over his left eye. It must have been a grounder which did not bounce into his glove, as he wished. Also the equipment was sadly battered. Another baseball had been lost in the woods-only two left-and one bat had been broken. It was the first of the eighth inning. Bob Shawley was at bat for the Rangers He had hit the ball only once before and that had struck Eastman in the eye. This time he was determined to hit and hit hard. As he swung, away the ball soared over center field, and splashed right into the river. The center fielder rushed into the Water and waded out as fast as he could, but the ball, in midstream, was being caried downstream at a fast rate. So Bob got two bases. The pitcher hit a grounder to first. It passed between the first baseman's legs and was stopped by the right fielder, but not in time to prevent Johnson from going to second and the Rangers from scoring. The score was now a tie. The first baseman hit an easy grounder to first for the put-out. The next batter struck out. The shortstop hit a foul over the catcher's head and after making a complete circle, Emerson finally caught it, retiring the Rangers. VVith the Crows up, the center fielder was the first batter and, after having ticked two balls, struck out. Emerson hit a ball into left field. The fielder intentionally ground- ed the ball with his foot, and Emerson got two bases on a '4lost ball. Only one ball was now left, and in the growing darkness, it could scarcely be seen. The batters now struck out as fast as they came up to the plate. The score was still a tie in the ninth in- ning! The Crowsiwere batting, the second baseman was up. By luck he hit an easy one to third. At first, the third baseman did not see it. Then he spied it rolling along easily to third base. As he ran along he thought fast. The score was tie-only one ball was left-so giving a little kick under the base, he pretended to hunt for the ball. On account of darkness the trick was not seen. The whole team began hunting as they wanted to finish the game-that is, the Crows did. But no one thought of looking under the innocent-looking third base. So the game was called-a tie! -Albert LaFrance, '31. Kidnapped!! One day three summers ago, when Betty Walker was attending a summer camp for girls, Billie, little son of Mr. Downes, the ou ner of the camp, had disappeared. There

Page 25 text:

THE CADUCEUS 19 ball when it is hit by this bat here. Now here is how we play, and he went on giving the rules and showing them how to play the game. He fixed up a diamond, using bags full of dirt for bases. The men began to like the game, although they couldn't play very well, partly on account of lack of gloves. Thus the morning passed. Each man gave Perkins some money to buy some gloves, baseballs, and bats, also the catchers equipment. The owner of the general store was given the order, and two weeks later the articles came. Then, one day when they were not work- ing, the men practiced baseball. Some pre- ferred to play outneld and others liked the infield better. They were beginning to like the game, though they could 11ot yet play very well. The outfielders were not having such a good time. They and the infielders were always getting hit by the ball. For instance, there was Chuck Wig- gins on first base. Here came a grounder hit by the coach, who by the way, was Hen- ry Perkins. Mr. VViggins watched each bounce carefully. He put a glove in front of it, it struck a small pebble, hit his eye or his nose, and the damage was done. The outfielders couldn't judge a ball either and it went over their heads, in front of them, or came into contact with some part of their bodies. g Mr. Perkins, however, was having the time of his life. He hit. balls into the most difficult places and then leaned on his bat and laughed and laughed. After a little of this practice, two teams were organized Hlld a game scheduled. One team was captained by Chuck Wiggins and the other by Red Eastman, who had chosen the honorable position of short- stop. A new field was made for the game. It was not very smooth and woods lined both sides of it. Just behind the center field was a river, not very deep, but with a very swift current. The day of the great ball game had come. A few people from nearby places, particu- larly from Black Rock, began arriving. There was more interest in the outcome than Henry Perkins had thought. About the time the game was to begin, one hundred and fifty people had lined themselves along the third and first base lines. The crowd was made up of cowboys, ranch owners, and people from the town. The players were all strewn around among the crowd, talking. At a signal from Per- kins they came out in the field and began practising. The first team to begin prac- tice was the one captained by Red East- man. Their fielding offered the crowd many a chance for laughs. After a ten- minute practice the other team was called to the field. At three oiclock the umpire announced the batteries as Sam Johnson, pitcher, and Bob Shawley, catcher for the Rangers , that being Chuck'l Wiggins' teamg a11d Don Randolph and '4B.londy Emerson for the Crows There was no regular batting order. Bob Shawley was to bat. He struck three times and then sat down. The pitcher and then the first baseman followed his example and the Rangers retired. Emerson was up, missed the first two balls and then hit a weak pop-fly into the hands of the first baseman who, being right u11der it, and sure of it, missed. Meanwhile, Sam Johnson was having a grand time. He had a fast ball and the batters were all afraid of him. He threzv the ball near the batter, who drew farther away from the plate each time after the ball had whizzed past him. The Crows' pitcher was at bat. The first ball over, he swung hard and hit a foul grounder into the crowd. After a moment of waiting, some of the players started to go hunting

Page 27 text:

TH E CADUCEUS 21 was great exciteme11t throughout the camp. A signal was give11 for all the girls to return from their activities and go to the main building. Betty and eleven other girls were horse- back riding. The very moment the signal reached their ears, they turned their horses a11d rushed back to camp. As soon as the girls rode up, Mrs. Downes told them to divide into groups of three and comb the country in a search for Billie. Betty was in the group with Patty Van- dike and Gloria Glaskin. They rode very quietly yet quickly. Suddenly Gloria cried, I've found Billiels cap. I'm going back to report. Betty and Patty thought surely they must be on the right trail, so they urged their horses all the faster. As they passed a clump of pines, and went into the clear,' again, they noticed an old house. Patty called, Let's look this place over before going any farther, Betty. Betty was rather timid, but she followed Patty reluctantly. They went into the house, noticing that all was very dusty, and without signs of recent occupation. Sud- denly Patty, opening a door which they had not seen before, disclosed a flight of stairs leading downward. 'Betty cried out, Oh, Patty, don't go down there! HBut I must, replied Patty, 'tYou can go out to the horses, and if you hear me call, go back for help. Betty unwillingly agreed, but she looked back at Patty very longingly as she left the house. Patty went down the stairs, and opened up the door at the end. Then she stepped into a large, low room. Looking around, she noticed a glove that belonged to Billie. She then summoned Betty to go for help. Patty herself was to stay and guard the house. Betty started toward what she thought v as the camp, but, in fact, it was just the opposite direction. She rode far before she realized her error. Then turning her horse, she noticed a small lake before her. On the lake and moving shorewards was a small boat, containing three people. Betty hid herself and watched. As the boat came nearer she could distinguish a small lad. It was Billie! Betty, perplexed, decided that her next move must be to hide and watch what the men did. The boat was headed toward a cove, where the men landed, with Colt revolvers in their hands. They then began walking toward a tunnel, Betty following at a distance. She got Billie 's eye, and his expression changed very quickly when he noticed her. Billie diverted the men 's attention to something in the distance while Betty crept closer and closer. Now, even though Billie was only seven years old, he was very wise. He began drawing closer to one of the men. Sudden- ly his hand went out like a shot and he snatched a gun from the smaller of the men. He quickly stepped back and cried, Put 'em up! Both men in surprise, instead of putting up their hands, rushed forward toward the boy, but Betty stepped in and, calmly said, The boy is right, put them up. Before the men could turn, she took the revolver from Billie, who quickly secured the other man 's gun. Billie obtained for Betty some rope which she had on her sad- dle. Then he held the gun while she tied the men. Betty decided to leave Billie as guard while she went back to Patty. Patty had become anxious while waiting, so she had left the house and gone back to camp. When she found that Betty had not yet returned, she gathered a crowd of people and started to find her. They had not gone far when Betty appeared and told her story. Then the girls went back to