ng to own up, sister mine, that Brother Lu had been playing
a cruel joke, but with a good object. I'm not a poor, forlorn hobo,
as I led you to believe, neither am I dying by inches. I hope to
live some years yet, to see the two I love drink heartily from the
cup of happiness. All this is but a drop in the bucket to what
is coming. You shall make up for some of the lean years you've
spent so bravely, buoying up each other's courage. Yes, and that
tender heart of yours, Tilly, shall be given plenty of opportunities
to bring good cheer to those who are almost down and out. And boys,
I'm right glad that you're here with us to see the mask removed, and
Brother Lu stand out in his true colors. Matilda has stood the test,
and proved to me that her heart is of pure gold. She deserves
everything that is coming to her. Now, I know you boys haven't
lost your appetites, if the rest of us are too happy to think much
of eating; so let's get busy, and do justice to this little spread,
given in honor of Tilly's birthday!"

Which they accordingly did, and it would hardly be proper in any
one to tell how much Thad ate, and how both of them felt that they
were seeing one of the most enjoyable occasions in their entire lives.
And later on the boys were taken home in the big car, to rest up a
bit, so as to be in trim for the game with Belleville that afternoon.

CHAPTER XIX

SCRANTON HIGH EVENS MATTERS UP

The match with Belleville proved a walkover for Scranton, much to
the delight of all the local rooters, and the utter humiliation of
the boys from the neighboring town. Tyree was at his very best,
which meant that few among the Belleville batsmen could touch his
slants and drops and speedy balls.

They fought gamely to the very last, as all sturdy players of the
National game should, hoping for a turn in the tide; but in the
end found themselves snowed under by a score of eleven to two.
Those runs were actually gifts, for in the end Tyree slowed up,
and almost "lobbed" a few over the plate, as though wishing to take
a little of the sting of defeat away; though that is never a safe
practice for any pitcher to do. Still, eleven to nothing would
have been rubbing it into the Belleville fellows pretty roughly.

On the following Saturday Allandale had a last whirl at Belleville.
This time the boys of the third town took a brace, and for a time
put up quite a creditable game. Big Patterson, however, was too
much for