."

"We'll try to show that we have something uniform about our team
play, and let it go at that," said Dave cheerily. "Come along,
Dick, or we'll be late at school."

Away the pair raced. Lessons went about as usual that afternoon
with Old Dut's class, which was surprising, as nearly every boy
in the room had his mind much on baseball.

Captain Dick Prescott, of the Central Grammar nine, had called
practice for that afternoon, from half past four to six o'clock.

At recess, that afternoon, a pleasant, somewhat rotund-looking
man was seen engaged in conversation with Old Dut in a corner
of the schoolyard. At the close of the afternoon session that
same man stepped into the schoolroom, accepting the principal's
offer of a chair on the platform.

"Attention!" called Old Dut, striking the bell. "I am glad to
be able to state that no pupil has incurred the penalty of remaining
after school to-day. However, I am going to ask the members of
the Central Grammar baseball nine and their substitutes to remain
for a few minutes. I pledge myself not to interfere with the
scheduled practice," continued the principal dryly. "All other
pupils will file out promptly, and not loiter in coatrooms or
corridors."

Within two minutes the place had been cleared of all but Dick's
baseball squad.

"I now wish, young gentlemen," began Old Dut, "to introduce to
you Mr. Edson Brown, who is interested in baseball, and who has
a slight favor that he wishes to ask of you."

"It's very simple," declared Mr. Brown, rising and stepping down
from the platform. "I have been greatly interested in baseball
for a number of years. Among other things I have a considerable
collection of figures concerning school teams, their sizes and
weights, I would like, with your permission, young gentlemen,
to take a few measurements. I won't detain you more than a few
moments."

"Do you want a suggestion, sir?" asked Tom Reade.

"Of course," nodded Mr. Brown, smilingly.

"Then the real crowd that you ought to measure are the fellows of
the North Grammar nine. You'd get a fine lot of chest measurements
there, I can promise you."

"Why?" asked Mr. Brown. "Are the North Grammar boys better developed
physically?"

"I can't say about that," Reade replied seriously, "but they're
the only Grammar School fellows in Gridley that have baseball
uniforms, and I understand that they're the chestiest lot of young
fellows that any one ever saw."

"I'll consider th