victories. Sunday we rested, and Monday was the Fourth, with morning
and afternoon games with Buffalo.

Upon the morning of the Fourth, I looked for the Rube at the hotel, but
could not find him. He did not show up at the grounds when the other
boys did, and I began to worry. It was the Rube's turn to pitch and we
were neck and neck with Buffalo for first place. If we won both games
we would go ahead of our rivals. So I was all on edge, and kept going
to the dressing-room to see if the Rube had arrived. He came, finally,
when all the boys were dressed, and about to go out for practice. He
had on a new suit, a tailor-made suit at that, and he looked fine.
There was about him a kind of strange radiance. He stated simply that
he had arrived late because he had just been married. Before
congratulations were out of our mouths, he turned to me.

"Con, I want to pitch both games today," he said.

"What! Say, Whit, Buffalo is on the card today and we are only three
points behind them. If we win both we'll be leading the league once
more. I don't know about pitching you both games."

"I reckon we'll be in the lead tonight then," he replied, "for I'll win
them both."

I was about to reply when Dave, the ground-keeper, called me to the
door, saying there was a man to see me. I went out, and there stood
Morrisey, manager of the Chicago American League team. We knew each
other well and exchanged greetings.

"Con, I dropped off to see you about this new pitcher of yours, the one
they call the Rube. I want to see him work. I've heard he's pretty
fast. How about it?"

"Wait--till you see him pitch," I replied. I could scarcely get that
much out, for Morrisey's presence meant a great deal and I did not want
to betray my elation.

"Any strings on him?" queried the big league manager, sharply.

"Well, Morrisey, not exactly. I can give you the first call. You'll
have to bid high, though. Just wait till you see him work."

"I'm glad to hear that. My scout was over here watching him pitch and
says he's a wonder."

What luck it was that Morrisey should have come upon this day! I could
hardly contain myself. Almost I began to spend the money I would get
for selling the Rube to the big league manager. We took seats in the
grand stand, as Morrisey did not want to be seen by any players, and I
stayed there with him until the gong sounded. There was a big
attendance. I looked all over the stand for Nan, but she w