Strong High School - Mussul Unsquit Yearbook (Strong, ME)

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we are giving a party for her to-morrow THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 23 came up. The second ball pitched to him he hit, with all the force he could muster. The crowd in tl1e grandstand rose as one. The ball sailed over the left Held fence, and Bob romped around the bases with Dick ahead of him, and the game and the cham- pionship were won. G. E. F., 124. TEX CALDER OF THE STARKEN- CALDER COMPANY fEnglish IVJ HERE was a great cloud of dust and the horse that Tex Calder was riding was brought suddenly upon its haunches, as suddenly Tex was on the ground, had hitched his beloved horse, Star, and ran swiftly into the house, where his father and mother were waiting. It 's all right, Dad, he cried, we have the cattle all rounded up today and not one missing, but there are six belonging to the General. That's too bad, Tex, said his father, but you pick 'em out, son, and return 'e1n. The General would be mighty mad if he knowed there wuz Clly of his cattle in with ourn. Bc careful and don't git into eny trouble with him because you know he ain't so awfully friendly with us since you 've been shying up ter his gal, Betty. Don't worry, Dad, I'll be all right, said Tex, and with these words he ran out, ordered Hank and Bill to bring the steers along, and mounting Star, rode away to the Starken ranch. Mrs. Calder turned to her husband, and said, John, I am afraid Tex will meet with -lose Gardeau and then some one will get hurt for Tex is a bad man with a gun. Don't worry, dear, said John, but in his heart he was worrying. not because he feared for his son but he did not want Tex to kill lose. Wlhen John Calder was younger he owned the ranch he was now living on and the General owned tl1e one he was now occupying. They were neighbors and were friendly, but in later years a feeling had grown up between the two families, espe- cially on tl1e General's side. I-Ie thought his child was better than Johns and Tex was never received very well in the Starken home, except by Betty. Betty and Tex loved each other but on account of the General, they had not much opportunity to associate together. The General had planned for her marriage with Jose Gar- deau, a young Spaniard of wealth. Betty hated Jose, and, of course, he and Tex were deadly enemies. Jose had made the brag that he would kill Tex. Tex was already at the General's ranch. He rapped and Betty met llllfl at the door. Oh! Tex, come in, I have good news for you, cried Betty. My cousin, Helen Vlfright, is coming on the night stage, and night. Vlfill to meet her I reckon away, Betty, and I don't especially at come, he father? he you come, Tex? I am going to-night. it might be well for me to stay on account of your father, want any trouble with jose, this time, so I guess I won't replied. 'WVhere is your added. Papa has gone to town but he ought to be here any minute now, won't you wait? Betty said. I guess you can tell him as well as I, said Tex, but seeing the disappointment in Betty's eyes, he added, I guess I 'll wait, Betty. K' There, that Is nice, said Betty, now won't you please come to our little party to-morrow night? I want you so much and Tex, I know Father won't care. VVith these words she threw herself into his arms and started to cry. Then suddenly she wiped away the tears and said, WI won't marry Jose Gardeau, never, and you 're coming to my little party, so there, aren't you?'I and Tex nodded. They were interrupted by the arrival of the General. Hello, Tex,', said heg A' what 's the newsim Nothing much, except I came over to

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22 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT up his studies the team was all chosen and they had played one game. Some boys would have gone to the coach and told what wonders they had done on the dia- mond, but not so with Bob. He was no bragger and was a little backward. After he had made up his studies and was out in the schoolyard one afternoon passing ball with another fellow, the captain of the ball team, who was also the catcher, named Dick Gibson, and their star first baseman, jake Merkle, were walking by discussing their outlook for the cup. They stopped close by where Bob was pass- ing. VVell, said Dick, unless we have more pitching than Brick, who is pitching his head off, can do, the cup will go to Dover. VVho is that chap there, passing with Holbrook? He seems to be a likely look- ing fellow and he throws as natural as a big leaguer, said Jake. I guess he must be a freshmang I never happened to notice him around much. I wonder, said Jake, if he can pitch. Let's ask him, said Dick, he must be as good as McDonald. Did you ever play ball any. asked Dick, addressing Bob. Bob turned and was surprised to see the captain of the ball team addressing him. I have played some, said Bob. What position do you play? I used to pitch for the grammar school at home, he said, but we didn't have much of a team. Can you throw any curves? A fewg my uncle used to pitch for Harvard and he comes down home every summer. He showed me how, and he said that he expected to time in that line. 'fWell, said Dick, why don't you re- port for practice this afternoon? that Bob got his pu hear from me some So it came about chance. Dick tried him out, himself, and he seemed to be better than Dick had dared to hope. And Bob was no slouch of a hit- ter either. They tried him under fire that Saturday and he proved to be as cool headed as Brick. Time and again with a man on second base and the head of the batting order up, he turned them back. The season was drawing to a close and Milton Academy was but a half game be- hind Dover. This was due mostly to the superb pitching and batting of Bob, al- though Brick had done his share. Bob was played in every game on account of his hitting power. When he was not pitching, they played him in the field. At last the day of the big game arrived with Dover. If Milton Academy won they would be the champions and get the cup. Dick and the coach were undecided whom to use in the box. Dick thought that Bob was the better. The coach thought that Brick ought to pitch as he was a senior and this would be the last time that he could wear the blue and gray for Milton. The game proved to be a pitchers' battle, between Brick and the Dover pitcher. In the eighth inning Dover got a cheap run. The first man up got a free pass, the first man that Brick had passed during the whole game. He stole second and went to third on the overthrow by Dick. The next man up drove the ball like a bullet and hit Brick on the arm. Merkle picked it up, threw it home, but too late. The Dover fans were overjoyed. They had great con- fidence in their pitcher. Brick was unable to continue. Bob was taken out of right field, and after throwing the five balls that he was allowed, he took up the burden. Bob put all the stuff that he had on the ball, and turned back the Dover sluggers, one, two, three. Milton Academy couldn't seem to score in their half of the eighth and Dover was unable to solve tl1e delivery of Bob. In the Hrst half of the ninth jake Merkle and Joe Graney could not do anything with the Dover pitcher's slants. Dick got a scratch nit through short, and then Bob

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24 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT tell you we finished the roundup to-day and found six of your steers in with ours. I told Hank and Bill, and they are bringing them over, replied Tex. 'f Guess it 's all right then, grunted the General, and he stalked into the house. You will be sure and come to-morrow, won't you, Tex? said Betty. I 'll be here all right, said Tex, and I hope jose won't start anything. I won't have any trouble if I can help it, and he rode away. Betty went into the house where her father was. She was the apple of his eye. If there was anything she wanted, all she had to do was to coax him a little, and she got it. There was one thing, however, that Betty hadn't been able to coax him to let her do and that was to ride VVildfire, his horse. He got that name because no one could ride or handle him, but the General. Betty was an exception to the rule. She could do anything with him but her father would never let her ride him. Say, Daddy, I asked Tex over to the party to-morrow night and he said he didn't think he 'd better come, but after a little coaxing he said he would. You don't care, do you? said Betty. I don't see what you want him for, said her father, and I'll bet he and Jose will have a row. That 's why Tex didn't want to come, said Betty, but he said he would try not to quarrel with jose and, Daddy, he can come, can't he? Yes, I suppose so, said her father, but, Betty, you must be careful because if jose gets angry, Tex would be apt to get killed. I guess Tex can take care of himself, and so saying, she went to make some preparations to meet her cousin. Helen came on the night stage and Betty, with Bill Hawkins, the foreman, was there to meet her. Helen enjoyed the buckboard ride back to the ranch and also the de- licious supper which awaited her arrival. Why shouldn't she enjoy it? Aunt Chloe, the best colored cook in the neighborhood for miles and miles around, had prepared it. Meanwhile Tex was shining up spurs, saddle, bridle, and when the next morning dawned, his father found him brushing Star's black velvety sides, combing out mane and tail, and petting him, talking to him as if he were a man. 'K Why are you so particilar, my boy, 'bout your saddle, bridle, and horse this mornin'? said John. U Here you are combin', brushin', shinin', and it 's been two hours since you got up. Your mother has nearly hollered her head off trying to tell you that breakfast was ready. Well, Dad, Betty has invited me to the party to-night and I kinder thought I'd brush up a bit, said Tex. Mr. Calder sorter wondered because he knew that there was never a bit of dirt on Star's glossy sides, and the bridle and saddle were always polished. Neverthe- less, he said, Better come in to breakfast now, Tex. After breakfast Tex saddled and bridled Star and went to town. He stayed a little while and then started for home, returning by way of Starken's ranch. When he had covered part of the distance he met Betty and Helen. To his surprise Betty had Wildnre and Helen had Beauty, Betty's horse. He tipped his hat and bade them a cheery Good morning. Hello, Tex. I want you to meet my cousin, Helen Wright, Mr. Calder,', said Betty. I am very glad to make your acquaint- ance, Miss Wright, said Tex, taking the daintily gloved hand in his. Tex is coming to our party to-night, said Betty, and - That was as far as she got for Wildfire saw a piece of paper blowing and bolted towards home. Betty was almost unseated but regained her seat and commenced try- ing to pull him in. He ran like the wind and no power of hers could stop him. Instantly Tex was after them, Helen rid- ing behind. Soon Star commenced to gain,