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The Rube’s Waterloo
by
”Thank you, old chap,” I replied. ”It wouldn’t have been like you to throw me down at this stage. Whit, you’re in trouble?”
”Yes.”
”Can I help you–in any way?”’
”I reckon not.”
”Don’t be too sure of that. I’m a pretty wise guy, if I do say it myself. I might be able to do as much for you as you’re going to do for me.”
The sight of his face convinced me that I had taken a wrong tack. It also showed me how deep Whit’s trouble really was. I bade him good night and went to my berth, where sleep did not soon visit me. A saucy, sparkling-eyed woman barred Whit Hurtle’s baseball career at its threshold.
Women are just as fatal to ball players as to men in any other walk of life. I had seen a strong athlete grow palsied just at a scornful slight. It’s a great world, and the women run it. So I lay awake racking my brains to outwit a pretty disorganizer; and I plotted for her sake. Married, she would be out of mischief. For Whit’s sake, for Milly’s sake, for mine, all of which collectively meant for the sake of the pennant, this would be the solution of the problem.
I decided to take Milly into my confidence, and finally on the strength of that I got to sleep. In
he morning I went to my hotel, had breakfast, attended to my mail, and then boarded a car to go out to Milly’s house. She was waiting for me on the porch, dressed as I liked to see her, in blue and white, and she wore violets that matched the color of her eyes.
”Hello, Connie. I haven’t seen a morning paper, but I know from your face that you lost the Rochester series,” said Milly, with a gay laugh.
”I guess yes. The Rube blew up, and if we don’t play a pretty smooth game, young lady, he’ll never come down.”
Then I told her.
”Why, Connie, I knew long ago. Haven’t you seen the change in him before this?”
”What change?” I asked blankly.
”You are a man. Well, he was a gawky, slouchy, shy farmer boy when he came to us. Of course the city life and popularity began to influence him. Then he met Nan. She made the Rube a worshipper. I first noticed a change in his clothes. He blossomed out in a new suit, white negligee, neat tie and a stylish straw hat. Then it was evident he was making heroic struggles to overcome his awkwardness. It was plain he was studying and copying the other boys. He’s wonderfully improved, but still shy. He’ll always be shy. Connie, Whit’s a fine fellow, too good for Nan Brown.”
”But, Milly,” I interrupted, ”the Rube’s hard hit. Why is he too good for her?”
”Nan is a natural-born flirt,” Milly replied. ”She can’t help it. I’m afraid Whit has a slim chance. Nan may not see deep enough to learn his fine qualities. I fancy Nan tired quickly of him, though the one time I saw them together she appeared to like him very well. This new pitcher of yours, Henderson, is a handsome fellow and smooth. Whit is losing to him. Nan likes flash, flattery, excitement.”
”McCall told me the Rube had been down in the mouth ever since Henderson joined the team. Milly, I don’t like Henderson a whole lot. He’s not in the Rube’s class as a pitcher. What am I going to do? Lose the pennant and a big slice of purse money just for a pretty little flirt?”
”Oh, Connie, it’s not so bad as that. Whit will come around all right.”
”He won’t unless we can pull some wires. I’ve got to help him win Nan Brown. What do you think of that for a manager’s job? I guess maybe winning pennants doesn’t call for diplomatic genius and cunning! But I’ll hand them a few tricks before I lose. My first move will be to give Henderson his release.