Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: JOE WAS DOING GOOD WORK.] Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars OR _The_ Rivals _of_ Riverside _By_ LESTER CHADWICK AUTHOR OF "THE RIVAL PITCHERS," "A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK," "BATTING TO WIN," ETC. [Illustration] NEW YORK CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS Copyright, 1912, by Cupples & Leon Company CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I A Hot Game 1 II Tieing the Score 11 III Mrs. Matson is Worried 23 IV A Row with Sam 31 V Joe Helps the Manager 41 VI Joe Has Hopes 50 VII Laughed at 58 VIII A Mean Protest 66 IX Joe in the Game 73 X A Tight Contest 80 XI Joe's Run 89 XII Discontent 96 XIII Scientific Practice 103 XIV A Kettle of Apple Sauce 110 XV Joe Overhears Something 119 XVI Mr. Matson is Alarmed 129 XVII A Throwing Contest 136 XVIII Another Defeat 143 XIX Joe is Watched 151 XX "Would You Like to Pitch?" 161 XXI To the Rescue 167 XXII A Delayed Pitcher 174 XXIII Joe in the Box 185 XXIV Sam Arrives 191 XXV Joe Foils the Plotters 197 XXVI Sam Resigns 208 XXVII Bad News 215 XXVIII The Fight 221 XXIX The Challenge 228 XXX The Winning Throw--Conclusion 233 BASEBALL JOE CHAPTER I A HOT GAME "Come on, Sam, get a move on. I thought you'd be out on the diamond long ago. What's the matter?" "Oh, I had to help dad put in some fence posts. I'm through now, Darrell, and I'll be right with you." "Setting fence posts; eh?" and Darrell Blackney, the young manager of the Silver Star baseball nine of Riverside looked critically at Sam Morton, the team's pitcher. "Well, Sam, I hope it didn't make you stiff so that you can't put some good balls over the plate. It's going to be a hot game all right." "Oh, forget it!" cried Sam, as he finished buttoning his jacket while he joined his chum. "We'll beat 'em to a frazzle all right. I'm going to pitch my head off to-day." "You may--if you don't go to pieces the way you once did." "Say, what you talking about?" demanded Sam, with some warmth. "I can pitch all right, and don't you forget it." He seemed unnecessarily aroused. "Oh, I know you can pitch," spoke Darrell easily, "only I don't want you to be too sure about it. You know the Resolutes of Rocky Ford have a strong team this season, and their pitcher is----" "Oh, I know what Hen Littell is as well as you," broke in Sam. "He thinks he's a whole lot, but you wait. I've got a new drop ball, and----" "Well, then, you'd ought to have been out on the diamond this morning, practicing with Bart Ferguson. He's got a new catching glove, and if you and he can connect on the curves we may do some good work. But I wish you'd had some practice this morning." "So do I, but dad made me help him, and I couldn't very well get off. I tried to sneak away, but he got on to my game and put a stop to it." "Oh, well, of course if you had to help your father that's different," spoke Darrell, who was a manly young chap, somewhat in contrast to Sam, who was not as upright as he might have been. Sam had a boastful and confident air that caused many to dislike him, but as he was the best pitcher the Silver Stars had had in some seasons his short-comings were overlooked. And certainly Sam had been pitching pretty good ball thus far. True, at times, he "went up in the air," but all pitchers are likely to do this on occasions. Sam had great belief in his own ability. There was considerable baseball feeling in the little town of Riverside, located on the Appelby River, in one of our New England States. Though the nine was an amateur one, and composed of lads ranging from fourteen to nineteen years of age, yet many fast games had been seen on the village diamond, which was kept in good shape by volunteers. A small admission sum was charged to view the contests and from this the boys were able to buy their uniforms, balls, bats, and other things. With some of the money the grounds were renovated from time to time, and the fences, bleachers and grandstand kept in order. There was a sort of informal county league existing among several nines in the towns surrounding Riverside, and perhaps the bitterest rivals of the Silver Stars were the Resolutes of Rocky Ford, a place about five miles farther up the stream than Riverside. To-day one of the games in the series was to take place, and the occasion, being Saturday, was a gala one in the home town of the Silver Stars, on whose grounds the contest was to take place. "Well, you'll have a little time for practice before the game begins," remarked Darrell as he and Sam walked toward the diamond. "We've got about an hour yet." "Are the Resolutes here?" "They hadn't come when I passed the grounds a little while ago on my way to see you. I couldn't imagine what kept you." "Well, it was all dad's fault. Hang it all----" "Never mind," broke in Darrell quickly. "Dads are all right as a rule." He had lost his own father not long since, and his heart was still sore. He could not bear to have any one speak disrespectfully of parents. "I guess we'll make out all right," he added. "Oh, sure we will!" exclaimed Sam, full of confidence. "They won't have a look in." "Well, hurry up and get in some practice with Bart," advised the manager. "Who's going to cover first to-day?" inquired Sam, as they hurried along the streets, which were already beginning to fill with the crowds making their way to the game. "I think I am for most of the time," answered Darrell. "George Rankin and I talked it over and decided that would be a good way to lead off. Later, if I find I'm needed on the coaching line, I'll let Tom Davis take my place." "Tom isn't much good." "Oh, I think he is." "Didn't he miss two hot throws to first base in the game last Saturday?" "That was because you put them over his head. You want to be careful, Sam, when there are two on the bags, how you throw to first. Lots of times I have to jump for your throws, and if I wasn't pretty quick at it they'd get by me." "Oh, well, you won't have any complaint to-day. I'll get 'em there all right. But you'd better stay in the whole game yourself." "I'll see. Hark, what's that?" The inspiring notes of a coaching horn echoed down the village street. "Sounds like a tally-ho," remarked Sam. Just then there swung into view a large stage, drawn by four horses, the vehicle filled with a cheering, shouting and laughing crowd of boys. "That's the Resolute team," said Darrell. "They're coming in style all right." Again there came the thrilling notes of the bugle, blown by some one in the stage. Then followed another large vehicle, filled with a throng of cheering lads. "They've brought a crowd along," commented Sam. "Yes, maybe they're depending on rooters to help them win the game." "Well, our fellows can root some too," spoke the pitcher. "I'm glad there's going to be a big crowd. I can pitch better then." "Well, do your best," urged the manager. "There's Percy Parnell and Fred Newton over there. I thought they were out on the field long ago." "Maybe they had to set fence posts too." "Maybe," assented Darrell with a laugh. "And here comes Tom Davis. Who's that with him?" and the pitcher and manager glanced at a tall, well-formed lad who was walking beside the substitute first baseman. "Evidently a stranger in town," went on Darrell. "Yes, I've seen him before," remarked Sam. "He lives down on our street. The family just moved in. His name is Batson, or Hatson, or something like that. His father works in the harvester factory." "Hum," mused Darrell. "He looks like a decent sort of chap," and he gazed critically at the stranger. "Maybe he'd like to join our club," for the ball team was a sort of adjunct to a boys' athletic organization. "Oh, we've got enough fellows in now," said Sam quickly. "Always room for one more," commented the manager, who was ever on the lookout for good material for the nine. Perhaps Sam suspected something like this, for he glanced quickly at his companion. "Say, if you think I'm not good enough----" began the pitcher, who was noted for his quick temper. "Now, now, drop that kind of talk," said Darrell soothingly. "You know we're all satisfied with your pitching. Don't get on your ear." "Well, I won't then," and Sam smiled frankly. By this time Percy Parnell, the second baseman, and Fred Newton, the plucky little shortstop, had joined the pitcher and the manager, and greetings were exchanged. "Are we going to wallop 'em?" asked Fred. "Sure thing," assented Sam. "It's going to be a hot game all right," was Percy's opinion. "All the better," commented Darrell. "Say the people are turning out in great shape, though. I'm glad to see it. We need a little money in our treasury." They turned in at the players' gate. The Resolute team had preceded them, and already several of the members of that nine were in their uniforms and out on the diamond. They were lads of the same age as their rivals, and had about the same sort of an organization--strictly amateur, but with desires to do as nearly as possible as the college and professional teams did. But there was a great difference, of course, and mainly in the rather free-and-easy manner in which the rules were interpreted. While it is true that in the fundamentals they played baseball according to the general regulations, there were many points on which they were at variance, and a professional probably would have found much at which to laugh and be in despair. But what did it matter as long as the boys, and those who watched them, enjoyed it? Not a bit, in my opinion. As the Silver Star lads proceeded to the improvised dressing rooms under the grandstand, several more of the Resolute players hurried out, buttoning jackets as they ran. "Oh, we'll get you fellows to-day all right!" shouted Henry (otherwise known as Hen) Littell, pitcher and captain of the Resolutes. "All right, the game's yours--if you can take it," called back Darrell, with a laugh. The diamond soon presented an animated scene, with many players and a few substitutes pitching, catching or batting balls about. The crowds were beginning to arrive and occupy seats in the small grandstand or on the bleachers. Many preferred to stand along the first and third base lines, or seat themselves on the grass. Approaching the grounds about this time were the two lads of whom Sam and Darrell had spoken briefly. One was Tom Davis, the substitute first baseman and the other boy whom Sam had referred to as "Batson" or "Hatson." Sam had it nearly right. The lad was Joe Matson, and as he is to figure largely in this story I will take just a moment to introduce him to you. Joe was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Matson, and had lately moved to Riverside with his parents and his sister Clara, who was a year his junior. The family had come from the town of Bentville, about a hundred miles away. Mr. Matson had been employed in a machine works there, and had invented several useful appliances. Located in Riverside was the Royal Harvester Works, a large concern. In some manner Mr. Isaac Benjamin, the manager, had heard of the appliances Mr. Matson had perfected, and, being in need of a capable machinist, he had made Mr. Matson an offer to come to Riverside. It had been accepted, and the family had moved in shortly before this story opens. Joe was a tall, well-built lad, with dark hair and brown eyes, and a way of walking and swinging his arms that showed he had some athletic training. He had made the acquaintance of Tom Davis, who lived in the house back of him, and Tom had asked Joe to go to the game that day. "For it's going to be a good one," said Tom proudly, since he was a member of the nine, even though only a substitute. "Who's going to win?" asked Joe, as they approached the grounds. "We will, if----" and then Tom stopped suddenly, for there was a yell from inside the fence and a moment later a ball came sailing over it, straight toward the two lads. "Look out!" yelled Tom. "That's a hot one! Duck, Joe, duck!" But Joe did not dodge. Instead, he spread his legs well apart and stood ready to catch the swiftly-moving horsehide in his bare hands. CHAPTER II TIEING THE SCORE Ping! The ball came in between Joe's palms with a vicious thud, but there it stuck, and a moment later the newcomer had tossed it back over the fence with certain and strong aim. "I guess some one will pick it up," he said. "Sure," assented Tom. "Say, that was a good stop all right. Have you played ball before?" "Oh, just a little," was the modest and rather quiet answer. In fact Joe Matson was rather a quiet youth, too quiet, his mother sometimes said, but his father used to smile and remark: "Oh, let Joe alone. He'll make out all right, and some of these days he may surprise us." "Well, that was a pippy stop all right," was Tom's admiring, if slangy, compliment. "Let's go in, I may get a chance to play." Joe turned toward the main entrance gate, and thrust one hand into his pocket. "Where you going?" demanded Tom. "Into the grounds of course. I want to get a ticket." "Not much!" exclaimed his companion. "You don't have to pay. Come with me. I invited you to this game, and I'm a member of the team, though I don't often get a chance to play. Members are allowed to bring in one guest free. I'll take you in. We'll use the players' gate." "Thanks," said Joe briefly, as he followed his new friend. "Here's a good place to see it from--almost as good as the grandstand," said Tom, as they moved to a spot along the first base line. "Though you can go up and sit down if you like. I'm going to put on my things. I may get a chance at first." "No, I'll stay here," said Joe. "Then I can see you make some good stops." "I can if Sam doesn't put 'em away over my head," was the reply. "Oh, yes, that's so. You started to say that you thought our side--you see I'm already a Silver Star rooter--that our side would win, if something didn't happen." "Oh, yes, and then that ball came over the fence. Well, we'll win, I think, if Sam doesn't go to pieces." "Who's Sam?" "Sam Morton, our pitcher. He's pretty good too, when he doesn't get rattled." "Then we'll hope that he doesn't to-day," said Joe with a smile. "But go ahead and dress." "All right," assented Tom, and he started off on a run to the dressing rooms. It was only just in time, too, for at that moment Darrell came hastening up to him. "Why haven't you got your suit on?" the manager asked. "You'll probably play some innings anyhow, and I don't want any delay." "All right--right away," Tom assured him. "I'm on the job." "Who do you think will win?" asked a youth sitting next to Joe on the grass. "Oh, I don't know," began Joe slowly. "I haven't seen either team play." "Oh, then you're a stranger here?" "Yes, just moved in." "I saw you with Tom Davis. You must be that Matson lad he told me lived back of him." "I am, and I hope Tom's side wins." "That's the stuff! So do I. But those Resolutes have a good nine." "Aw, go on!" broke in a lad back of Joe. "They haven't any good batters at all." "What's the matter with Hank Armstrong?" demanded some one. "Well, he's pretty good, but Ford Lantry or Seth Potter on our team can bat all around him." "How about their pitcher?" asked Joe. "Well, he's pretty good," admitted the lad who had first addressed Joe. "But he can't come up to Sam Morton when Sam is at his best," said some one else, joining in the conversation. "Yes--_when_ he's at his best," repeated another lad. "Those Resolutes have it in for us, but we're going to wipe up the ground with them to-day all right." "Like fun!" exploded a Resolute sympathizer. "I'll bet you----" "Play ball!" broke in the voice of the umpire, and the clanging of the gong warned the players and others to clear the field. "We're last at the bat," said Tom, "and that means a whole lot." "Yes," assented Joe, and then the Silver Star pitcher took his place in the box and exchanged a few preliminary balls with the catcher, Bart Ferguson. "Play ball!" yelled the young umpire again, selecting some pebbles with which to keep score. Hank Armstrong, the sturdy left fielder of the Resolutes, was the first at the bat for his side, and with a vicious swing he hit the first ball which Sam pitched to him. Squarely on the bat he caught it with a resounding ping! Away it sailed straight over Sam's head and over the head of the second baseman. Farther and farther it went, until the centre fielder began running back to get it. "Oh, wow! Pretty one! Pretty one!" "Go on! Go on!" "Make a three bagger of it!" "Run, you beggar!" These and many other cries speeded Armstrong on. He was running fast and reached second well in advance of the ball. But he dared not go on to third. "Hum, if they hit Sam like that too often he won't last very long," commented Tom. "Oh, that was a fluke," declared Rodney Burke, who sat behind Joe. There was a surprised and disconcerted look on Sam's face as he gazed at the next batter. No sooner had the ball left Sam's hand, that Armstrong was away for third like a shot, for he was a notorious base stealer. Bart threw to third, but the ball went too high and the baseman jumped for it in vain. Armstrong came in with the first run. "Begins to look bad!" yelled Tom in Joe's ear, for the cheers and exultant yells of the Resolute crowd made ordinary talking impossible. But that was all the visiting team got that inning, for Sam struck out two men, and the third fouled to Bart. "Now we'll see what our fellows can do," commented Tom. Seth Potter, the left fielder, was first up, and he had two strikes and three balls called on him in short order. Then he got under a pretty one and made first. "Watch out now, and run down when he throws!" cried Darrell, who was coaching. Seth did run, but was caught at second. Jed McGraw, the centre fielder, was next up and knocked a safety, getting to first. Then came Ford Lantry, who played right field, and he knocked a pretty three-bagger which brought in McGraw and the run. At that the Silver Star crowd went wild with joy, but it was all they had to crow over as the next two men struck out and Lantry died on third. The next two innings were marked by goose eggs for both sides, and in the fourth inning the Silver Stars brought in two runs, while their opponents could not seem to connect with the ball. "Old Sam is doing fine!" cried Tom. "Yes, he seems to have good control," commented Joe. "But he lacks speed," said Rodney Burke. "Oh, cheese it! Do you want to give all our secrets away to these fellows?" asked Tom in a low voice, indicating the many Resolute sympathizers who were all about. "Well, it's true," murmured Rodney, and Joe felt a sudden wild hope come into his heart. The game went on enthusiastically, if not correctly from a professional or college baseball standpoint. Many errors were made and several rules were unconsciously violated. The young umpire's decisions might have been questioned several times, and on numerous occasions the game was stopped while the respective captains, and some of the players, argued among themselves, or with the umpire. But the disputes were finally settled, though there was a growing spirit of dissatisfaction on both sides. "Play ball!" yelled the umpire, at the conclusion of an argument in the fifth inning. It was then that the Resolutes did some heavy stick work, and tallied three runs to the enthusiastic delight of the team and its supporters. "We've got to do better than this," murmured Darrell to Captain Rankin and Sam when they took the field at the end of that inning, and a big circle stared at them from the score board as the result of their efforts. "I'm doing all I can!" snapped Sam. "I'm not getting decent support." "Aw, cut it out! Of course you are!" asserted Rankin. A single tally by each side in the sixth, and two for the Silver Stars and one for the Resolutes in the seventh, brought the game to that usual breathing spot. The score was now a tie, and the excitement was growing. "For cats' sake beat 'em out, fellows!" pleaded Darrell. "Use your bats. They're to hit the ball with, not to fan the air!" Perhaps his frantic appeal had some effect, for in the next inning the Resolutes only got one run, while, when the Silver Stars came to bat to close the inning, they hammered out three, putting them well ahead. But there was trouble brewing. Sam's arm was giving out. He realized it himself but he dared not speak of it. Grimly he fought against it, but he saw that the other side was aware of it. "Come on now, we'll get his goat!" yelled the captain of the Resolutes. Then began what may be regarded as the cruel practice of yelling discouraging remarks at the man in the box. Sam was plainly told that he was "rotten" while other and less mild epithets were hurled at him. These had their effect. He gave two men their base on balls, and he made a number of wild throws to first where Tom Davis had replaced Darrell Blackney. However, by a strong brace Sam managed to hold his opponents runless, though in this saving work he was nobly assisted by his fellows, and by the quickness of Tom in not letting the wild balls get by him. Tom was a magnificent high jumper, which served him in good stead. The ending of the eighth saw the score nine to seven in favor of the Silver Stars, they having brought in three runs. It began to look, in spite of Sam's trouble, as if the home team would win. There was a riot of cheers when the Resolutes went to bat in the ninth inning, and despite the fact that they were two runs behind, their supporters did not fail them. "Win! Win! Win!" they yelled. "Oh, we'll win all right," said Captain Littell grimly. And he and his men gave good evidence of doing so a few minutes later. Sam literally "went to pieces." He lost all control of the ball, and was fairly "knocked out of the box." There was a look of despair on the faces of his mates. "What's the matter with him?" demanded Joe, who was surprised at the sudden slump. "Oh, that's what he does every once in a while," said a disgusted Silver Star supporter. "You can't depend on him. Wow, that's rotten!" for Sam had delivered a ball that was batted over the right-field fence. Instantly there was a wild scene. Two men were on second and third base respectively when this "homer" was knocked and they came racing in. The home-run batter followed. "Ring around the rosey!" yelled the Resolute captain. "If we had more on base they'd all come in. Hit at anything, fellows! Hit everything." It looked as if they were doing it, for they made six runs that inning, which brought the score to thirteen to nine in favor of the visitors. "Five runs to win, and four to tie," murmured Darrell as his men came in from the field for their inning. "Can we do it?" How it was done even he scarcely knew, for so fierce was the rivalry between the teams, and so high the excitement, that several times open clashes were narrowly averted. But the four runs were secured, and though the Silver Stars played their best they could not get another one. But even to tie the score after Sam's slump was something worth while. "Ten innings! It gives us another chance for our white alley," murmured Tom to Joe, as the first baseman made ready to go on the sack again. "If we can get one run, and hold them down to a goose egg it will do." But the Resolutes seemed to have struck a winning streak. Sam could not pull himself together, and got worse. Darrell was in despair, and there was gloom in the hearts of the Riverside residents. "Haven't they another pitcher they can put in?" asked Joe of one of his neighbors. "No, and if they had Sam would raise such a row that it might bust up the team. He'll play it out." In the tenth inning the Resolutes pounded out three more runs, batting Sam all over the field, and when the Silver Stars came up the score was sixteen to thirteen against them. "Oh, for a bunch of runs!" pleaded Darrell, as his men went to bat. But they couldn't get them. The Resolute pitcher with a grin on his freckled face sent in curve after curve and struck out two men in short order. Then Tom Davis knocked a little pop fly which was easily caught, and the game ended in a riot of yells, as a goose egg went up in the tenth frame for the Silver Stars. They had lost by a score of sixteen to thirteen, and there were bitter feelings in their hearts against their rivals. "Why don't you get a pitcher who can pitch?" demanded one of the Resolutes. "Don't you insult me!" cried Sam striding forward. "I can pitch as good as your man." "Aw, listen to him! He's dreaming!" some one yelled, laughingly. "I am; eh? Well, I'll show you!" cried Sam angrily, and the next instant, in spite of the effort of Darrell to hold him back, he had leaped for the lad who had mocked him, and had struck him a heavy blow. CHAPTER III MRS. MATSON IS WORRIED "What do you mean by that?" demanded the lad whom Sam had struck. "That's what I mean by it. I mean you can't insult me!" "I can't, eh? Well, I can whip you all right," and with those words Sam was nearly knocked off his feet by a return blow. "Here, cut that out!" yelled Darrell. "Aw, what's eating you?" demanded another of the Resolute crowd. "If you fellows are looking for a fight you can have it; eh boys?" "Sure thing!" came in a chorus, as the players crowded up, with bats in their hands. "This may be serious," murmured Darrell to Tom. "See if you can't stop Sam from fighting." But it was too late, as Sam and his opponent were at each other hammer and tongs. "Do you want to fight?" sneered the lad who had accosted the manager. "No, I don't." "Afraid?" "No, of course not." "Then come on," and the lad, half in fun perhaps, gave Darrell a shove. Now Darrell, though disliking fistic encounters, was no coward and he promptly retaliated with a blow that knocked his enemy down. "Wow! It's a fight all right!" yelled another lad, and then Darrell and his antagonist were at it. The crowd from the stands and bleachers now began thronging about the enraged players. There had always been more or less bad blood between the two rival nines and now, when the Resolutes had taken a game that was almost won away from the Silver Stars, the feeling broke out anew. On all sides there were impromptu battles going on. Some of the lads were good-natured about it, and only indulged in wrestling contests, but others were striking viciously at each other and soon there were some bloody noses and blackened eyes in evidence. "I'll show you whether I can pitch or not!" yelled Sam, as he aimed a hard blow at the lad with whom he had first had an encounter. He missed his aim, and went whirling to one side, to be met by a blow as he turned about, and almost sent down. "Do you want anything?" suddenly demanded a lad stopping in front of Joe, who was standing near Tom. Joe recognized his questioner as the Resolute shortstop. "No, he's a stranger here--he isn't on the nine," said Tom quickly. "Well, can't he fight?" was the sneering demand. "Yes, if I want to, but I don't want to," and Joe answered for himself. "I'll make you want to," was the retort, and Joe was struck in the chest. He was not a lad to stand for that and he retaliated with such good effect that his opponent went down in a heap on the grass, and did not arise for some seconds. When he did stagger up, and saw Joe calmly waiting for him, the lad moved off. "You can fight all right," he mumbled. "I've had enough." Meanwhile Darrell had disposed of his lad, and Tom, who was engaged with a small lad who made a sneering remark, grabbed hold of the chap and shook him until the lad begged for mercy. Sam and his opponent were still at it hot and heavy when there arose a cry: "Cheese it--here come the cops!" Riverside boasted of a small police force, and while it was not very formidable, most of the lads came from homes where a report of their arrest for fighting would meet with severe punishment. Their ardor suddenly cooled and, almost as soon as it had started, the impromptu battle was over. The victorious nine gathered up their belongings and moved off the diamond, jeering at their defeated rivals. "It was their fault--they started the fights," declared Tom Davis. "Yes, I guess it was," admitted Darrell. "Well come on, fellows. They beat us, and though I think it wasn't exactly square on some of the decisions, we can take our medicine. We'll do better next time." "Do you mean me?" demanded Sam half fiercely. "I mean--all of us," spoke Darrell slowly, "including myself." "Some excitement; eh?" asked Tom, as he linked his arm in that of Joe Matson and walked along with him. "Yes, but it was a good game just the same." "You play, don't you?" "I used to, at Bentville, where we moved from," answered Joe. "Have a good team?" "Pretty good." "Where'd you play?" "Well, mostly at pitching. I like that better than anything else." "Hum!" mused Tom. "It takes a pretty good one to pitch these days. It isn't like it used to be. Pitching is a gift, like poetry I guess. You can't go in and pitch right off the reel." "I know it," answered Joe quietly. "But it's my one ambition. I want to go to a good boarding school and get on the team as pitcher." "Well, I hope you do," and Tom laughed frankly. "I wouldn't mind that myself, though I don't know as I care so much for pitching." "It's the best part of the game!" cried Joe, and his eyes shone and he seemed to lose some of his usual quiet manner. "I'd like it above everything else!" "Got any curves?" asked the practical Tom. "Well, I don't know as I have--yet. I'm practicing though." "Got any speed?" "They used to say I had, back there in Bentville." "Hum! Well, I don't believe there's much chance for you here. Sam has the Silver Stars cinched. But he was rotten the last half of to-day's game. That's what made us lose it. Yes, it takes some pumpkins to pitch now-a-days." The boys walked on down the street after Tom had discarded his suit. Before them and behind them were other players and spectators, talking of nothing but the game and the fight that had followed. The Resolutes, cheering and singing triumphantly, had departed in their big stages, and in the hearts of the Silver Stars was gloom and despair. "Well, come over and see me sometime," invited Tom, as he parted from Joe. "I will. You come over and see me." The boys went their respective ways--Joe walking rather slowly and thinking of what had just taken place. "How I would like to pitch--and go to boarding school!" he mused as he walked toward his house. As he entered the side door he saw his mother sitting at the dining room table. Something about her attracted his attention--aroused his fears. The cloth had been spread, and though it was supper time, for the game had lasted until late, there were no dishes on the table. "Why mother!" exclaimed Joe, struck by a queer look on her face. "What is the matter? Has anything happened?" "Oh Joe!" she exclaimed starting up, as though she had not heard him come in. "Oh, no, nothing is the matter," she went on, and she tried to smile, but it was only an attempt. "I forgot it was so late. Your father was home, but he went out again." "Where?" "I don't know. He said he had some business to attend to. But I must hurry with the supper. Where were you?" "At the ball game. There was a fight. Our side lost. Oh, how I wish I had been pitching! If ever I go to that boarding school I'm going to try for the nine, first thing!" "Oh yes, you're always talking about a boarding school, Joe. Well, I--I hope you can go." "Mother, I'm sure something has happened!" exclaimed Joe, putting his arms around her and patting her on the shoulder, for she was a little woman. "No, really," she assured him. "I'm just a little worried, that's all. Now you can help me set the table if you will. Clara has gone to take her music lesson and isn't back yet." "Of course I will!" exclaimed Joe. "But what are you worried about, mother? I wish you'd tell me." "I can't now, Joe. Perhaps I will some time. It isn't anything serious--yet," and with that Mrs. Matson hurried out of the room. She smiled as she left her son, but when she reached the kitchen the same serious look came over her face again. "I hope what he fears doesn't come to pass," she remarked to herself. "Poor Joe! it would be too bad if he couldn't go to a boarding school when his heart is so set on it. And to become a pitcher! I wish he had some higher ambition in life, though I suppose all boys are alike at his age," and she sighed. "Hum," mused Joe as he went about setting the table, for the Matsons kept no girl and Joe and his sister often helped their mother with the housework when their school duties permitted. "Something is worrying mother," the lad went on. "I hope it isn't anything about father's business in the harvester works. He took a risk when he gave up his position in Bentville and took a new one here. But that was an exciting game all right," and Joe smiled at the recollection as he went on putting the plates around at their places. CHAPTER IV A ROW WITH SAM "What are you thinking about, Joe?" It was his sister Clara who asked the question, and she had noticed that her brother was rather dreaming over his books than studying. It was the Monday night after the Saturday when the memorable game with the Resolutes had taken place. "Oh, nothing much," and Joe roused himself from a reverie and began to pour over his books. "Well, for 'nothing much' I should say that it was a pretty deep subject," went on Clara with a laugh, as she finished doing her examples. "It isn't one of the girls here, is it Joe? There are a lot of pretty ones in our class." "Oh--bother!" exclaimed Joe. "Let a fellow alone, can't you, when he's studying? We have some pretty stiff work I tell you!" and he ruffled up his hair, as if that would make his lessons come easier. "It's a heap worse than it was back in Bentville." "I think so too, but I like it, Joe. We have a real nice teacher, and I've met a lot of pleasant girls. Do you know any of the boys?" "Hu! I guess you want me to give you an introduction to them!" exclaimed Joe. "No more than you do to the girls I know," retorted his sister, "so there!" "Now, now," gently remonstrated Mrs. Matson, looking up from her sewing, "you young folks keep on with your lessons. Your father can't go on reading his paper if you dispute so." Involuntarily Joe and his sister glanced to where Mr. Matson sat in his easy chair. But he did not seem to be reading, though he held the paper up in front of him. Joe fancied he saw a look of worriment on his father's face, and he wondered if he was vexed over some problem in inventive work, or whether he was troubled over business matters concerning his new position. Then there came to the lad's mind a memory of his mother's anxiety the night he had come in from the game, and he wondered if the two had any connection. But he knew it would not do to ask, for his father seldom talked over business matters at home. Finally, seeming to feel Joe's look, Mr. Matson, after a quick glance at his son, began to scan the paper. "Go on with your studying, Joe and Clara," commanded Mrs. Matson with a smile. "Don't dispute any more." "I was only asking Joe if he knew any nice boys," spoke Clara in vindication. "I know how fond he was of playing baseball back in Bentville, and I was wondering if he was going to play here." "Guess I haven't much chance," murmured Joe half gloomily, as he drew idle circles on the back blank leaf of his book. "Why not?" asked Clara quickly. "The girls say the boys have a good nine here, even if they were beaten last Saturday. There's going to be another game this Saturday, and Helen Rutherford is going to take me." "Oh, yes, there's a good enough team here," admitted Joe. "In fact the Silver Stars are all right, but every position is filled. I _would_ like to play--I'd like to pitch. I want to get all the practice I can on these small teams, so when I go to boarding school I'll have something to talk about." "And you're still set on going to boarding school?" asked Mrs. Matson, sighing gently as she looked at her son. "I certainly am--if it can be managed," replied Joe quickly. Mr. Matson started so suddenly that the paper rattled loudly, and his wife asked: "What's the matter, John, did something in the news startle you?" "Oh--no," he said slowly. "I--I guess I'm a bit nervous. I've been working rather hard lately on an improvement in a corn reaper and binder. It doesn't seem to come just right. I believe I'll go to bed. I'm tired," and with "good-nights" that were not as cheerful as usual he left the room. Mrs. Matson sighed but said nothing, and Joe wondered more than ever if any trouble was brewing. He hoped not. As for Clara she was again bent over her lessons. The Silver Star nine was variously made up. A number of lads worked in different town industries, one even being employed in the harvester works where Mr. Matson was employed. Others attended school. Joe Matson had attended the academy in the town of Bentville whence they moved to Riverside, and on arriving in the latter place had at once sought admission to the high school. He was given a brief examination, and placed in the junior class, though in some of the studies the pupils there were a little ahead of him, consequently he had to do some hard studying. The ambition to attend a boarding school had been in Joe's mind for a long while, and as his father was in moderate circumstances, and soon hoped to make considerable from his patents, Joe reasoned that his parents could then afford to send him. Among others on the nine who attended the high school were Darrell Blackney and Sam Morton, who were in the senior class, and Tom Davis, whose acquaintance Joe had made soon after coming to Riverside. There was a school nine, but it was made up of the smaller boys and Joe had no desire to join this. In fact none of the lads who were on the Silver Stars belonged to the school team. "Well, I'm through, thank goodness!" finally exclaimed Clara, as she closed her books. "And I am too," added Joe, a moment later. "Hope I don't flunk to-morrow." "Are you going to the game Saturday?" asked Clara. "Oh, I guess so. Wish I was going _in_ it, but that's too much to hope for." "Don't you know any one on the nine?" "Yes, Tom Davis." "He's the boy back of us, isn't he? His sister Mabel is in my class." "Yes," assented Joe, "but Tom is only a substitute." "Maybe you could be that at first, and then get a regular place," suggested Clara. "Um!" murmured Joe. He didn't have a very high opinion of girls' knowledge of baseball, even his sister's. When Joe reached home from school the following afternoon he saw his mother standing on the front steps with a letter in her hand. "Oh, Joe!" she exclaimed, "I was just waiting for you. Your father----" "Is there anything the matter with father?" the lad gasped, his thoughts going with a rush to one or two little scenes that had alarmed him lately. "No, nothing at all," answered his mother with a smile. "But he just hurried home from the factory with this note and he wanted you, as soon as you came home, to take it to Moorville. It's for a Mr. Rufus Holdney there. The address is on it, and I guess you can find him all right. You're to wait for an answer. Go on your wheel. It's only a few miles to Moorville, and a straight road, so your father says." "I know where it is," answered Joe. "Tom Davis has relatives there. He pointed out the road to me one day. I'll go right away. Here, catch hold of my books, mother, and I'll get my wheel out of the barn," for a barn went with the house Mr. Matson had rented. A little later the lad was speeding down the country road that pleasant spring afternoon. Joe was a good rider and was using considerable strength on the pedals when suddenly, as he turned a sharp curve, he saw coming toward him another cyclist. He had barely time to note that it was Sam Morton, the pitcher of the Silver Stars, and to utter a warning shout when he crashed full into the other lad. In a moment there was a mix-up of wheels, legs and arms, while a cloud of dust momentarily hid everything from sight. At first Joe did not know whether or not he was hurt, or whether Sam was injured. Fortunately Joe had instinctively put on the brake with all his strength, and he supposed the other lad had done likewise. Then, as the dust cleared away, and Joe began to pull his arms and legs out of the tangle, and arise, he saw that Sam was doing the same thing. "Hope you're not hurt much!" was Joe's first greeting. "Humph! It isn't your fault if I'm not," was the ungracious answer, as Sam felt of his pitching arm. "What do you mean by crashing into a fellow that way for, anyhow?" "I didn't mean to. I didn't know that curve was so sharp. I'd never ridden on this road before." "Well, why didn't you blow your horn or ring your bell or--or something?" "Why didn't you?" demanded Joe with equal right. "Never mind. Don't give me any of your talk. You're one of the fresh juniors at school, aren't you?" "I don't know that I'm 'fresh,'" replied Joe quietly, "but I am a junior. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I couldn't help it." "Yes you could, if you knew anything about riding a wheel." "I tell you I couldn't," and Joe spoke a bit sharply. "I was into you before I knew it. And besides, you ran into me as much as I did into you." "I did not. If you don't know enough to ride a wheel, keep off the roads!" snarled the pitcher. "If I'm stiff for Saturday's game it will be your fault." "I hope you won't be stiff," spoke Joe, and he said it sincerely. "And if my wheel is broken you'll have to pay for it," went on Sam. "I don't think that's right," said Joe firmly. "It was as much your fault as mine, and my wheel may be broken too. I'm going to look," he added as he lifted his bicycle from where it was entangled with Sam's. A bent pedal, which would not interfere with its use, was all the damage Joe's wheel had sustained and beyond a few bent spokes and a punctured tire Sam's seemed to have suffered no great harm. "I'll help you straighten those spokes," said Joe cheerfully. "It won't take but a minute. I can have my father straighten my pedal at the factory. And I'll help you mend and pump up your tire. I'm sorry----" "Look here!" burst out Sam in a rage, "I don't want any of your help. You're too fresh. You come banging into a fellow, knocking him all over and then you think you can square things by offering to help him. I don't want any of your help!" "Oh, very well," replied Joe quietly. "Then I'll be going on. I've got an errand to do. But I'd like to help you." "Mind your own business!" snapped Sam, still rubbing his pitching arm. He made no motion to pick up his wheel. Joe was half minded to make an angry retort but he thought better of it. He wheeled his bicycle to the hard side-path of the road, and, ascertaining that his letter was safe, prepared to mount and ride away. "And mind you, if my arm is stiff, and I can't pitch Saturday it will be your fault, and I'll tell the fellows so," called Sam as he leaned over to pick up his wheel. "All right, only you know it isn't so," replied Joe quietly. As he pedaled on he looked back and saw Sam straightening some of the bent spokes. The pitcher scowled at him. "Hum," mused Joe as he speeded up. "Not a very good beginning for getting on the nine--a run-in with the pitcher. Well, I guess I wouldn't be in it anyhow. I guess they think I'm not in their class. But I will be--some day!" and with a grim tightening of his lips Joe Matson rode on. CHAPTER V JOE HELPS THE MANAGER "Well now, I'm real sorry," said Mrs. Holdney when, a little later, Joe dismounted at her door, and held out the letter for her husband. "Rufus isn't home. You can leave the letter for him, though." "No, I have to have an answer," replied Joe. "I think perhaps I'd better wait." "Well, maybe you had, though I don't know when Rufus will be back. Is it anything of importance?" "I guess it must be," spoke the lad, for, though he did not know
{'title': 'Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars; or, The Rivals of Riverside by Lester Chadwick', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}