The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...uttered Teall wearily. "They have to steal a josh from the Centrals." It did not annoy Ted to-day. He had expected this greeting, and had steeled himself against it. Dick & Co., with a lot of other fellows from Central Grammar, looked on in amusement. "It's a pity one of Hi's fellows hasn't ingenuity enough to work up a new 'gag, '" Tom remarked dryly. "They'll never rattle Teall again with a 'bang, '" smiled Prescott. When the Souths went to grass, however, and the Norths took to the benches, all was in readiness for Hi, who came forth third on the batting list. The first two men had been struck out. "Come on in " yelled a dozen tormentors from South Grammar onlookers. "The water's fine " In spite of himself Hi frowned. He had been expecting something, but had hoped that the events of the preceding Saturday afternoon would be left out. Hi made a swing for the ball, and missed. "Who's seen my duds?" went up a mighty shout. "Confound the hoodlums " hissed Martin between his teeth. As mascot, the Souths had brought along a small colored boy, who attended to a pail of lemonade for the refreshment of Ted's players. Ere the ball came over the plate a second time this mascot was seen running close to the foul lines. Over one arm he carried jacket and trousers; in the other hand he bore a pair of shoes and of socks. That the clothing was patched and the shoes looked fit only for a tramp's use did not disguise the meaning of the scene from any beholder, for the news of that Saturday afternoon had traveled through the school world of Gridley. "Cheer up, suh " shrieked the colored boy shrilly. "I'se bringing yo' duds " Then the ball came from the box, but Hi was demoralized by the roar of laughter that swept over the field. A moment later the rather haughty captain of the North Grammar nine had been struck out and retired. His face was red, his eyes flashing. "Teall, we might expect something rowdyish from your crowd of muckers," declared Martin...