Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1916 — Page 2

THE DUKE

By VIOLA TREHERNE ADAMS.

It was nothing to be a duke in Mountphalia, Ned Vernon told Miss Hazel Bridges the first time he was introduced to her, and he begged her not to be awed at the pretentious title. ‘"Call me Mr. Vernon, plain American that.” he pleaded, with a laugh. •‘Or better —Ned." Hazel flushed at the idea of such familiarity. She could not be on her dignity, however, with the bright spirit at her side, ingenuous, a sham hater, a beauty lover —and he showed it on the occasion vividly—who quite won her heart. “You see,” explained Ned, “my father did some rare diplomatic work for the prince of the little Bavarian kingdom here and he was given a dukedom—all but the ‘dom.’ Duke he was, but no perquisites or property. He nearly starved and when he died he left me a hollow title. It hangs to me with the students here —‘Duke Edward.’ I'm glad I can leave it and the memory behind me. I've made enough to educate myself and get back to real civilization. I suppose you’ll be going home to the United States, too, after this term. If you ever meet me on American soil, promise that you won’t trail in the royal highnesß feature!” Hazel promised, with her happy mirthful smile, little dreaming that within two months war would leap

Savage and Wrathful.

forth from the shadows and drive them like fugitives from the peaceful burg where he was studying engineering and she music. It was amid the first clangor of arms that Ned Vernon said: “I love you!” It was when alarm bells announcing invasion were hoarsely warning the people, that they were married, in haste —never to repent at leisure, however. It was to the dread eeho of distant cannon that they caught the last train for Paris. It was at the gay capital that the sour-visaged, crabbed-souled preceptress, Madame Roscoff, left them, feeling it her duty to cable to the humble little village of Merton, nestling among the peaceful hills of Vermont, to plain, honest John Bridges, Hazel’s father, the brief words: “Your daughter has married a duke and is on her way home with him?” — John Bridges was a wealthy man. He and his wife lived in a handsome mansion. They had moved from Summerdale, fifty miles distant, never telling Hazel, anticipating a pleasant surprise for her when she came home. When John Bridges read the cablegram Mrs. Bridges fainted dead away. “Married to a duke!” gasped her husband. “I never thought a daughter of mine would disgrace me by taking a foreign noodle head for a husband.” Mrs, Bridges wept, declared her heart was broken. She had read in the newspapers about “titled misery” until she had created a positive bugbear in her mind.

Her husband was grumpy and restless for a day or two, then savage and wrathful. He brightened up at the end of the week, coming into the elegantly furnished parlor, to which he had not yet become accustomed. “Nancy,” he announced, with a grim chuckle, “I’ve found a way out.” “Out of what?” questioned his wife desolately, for 6he was still mourning over her daughter’s mesalliance, as she called it. “That duke,” responded Mr. Bridges. His wife groaned. She wrung her hands. "You know, and I know, and everybody knows that these foreign princes never marry except for. money,” continued Mr. Bridges. “Yes, John," assented his wife woefully. “I’ve got some money," pursued her husband, “but—he isn’t going to get it! I’ve planned it all out I’m going to put that duke through a course of sprouts that will either wear him out and send hixj snooping back to ‘Yurrup’ post haste, or make a man of him,” "•' • —— “But if he deserts our darling!” “She’s brought it on herself, hain’t she?" sniffed Bridges, "and good ridance to bad rubbish, hey? Get ready to move; Nancy." “Get ready to move!" repeated Mrs. Bridges, marveling. “Bight away,”

“Where to, for goodness sake?" “Back to the old home.” “Why, John!” “Not a word now,” directed Bridges, with a decisive wave of his hand. “Can’t you see through a millstone with a hole in it? I’m poor, don’t you understand —poor! poor! poor!'* and there was a vengeful, gloating satisfaction in the emphatf c repetition. “I —I think I see, John,” faltered Mrs. Pridges, “but, oh! what a tearing up.” “Worth it, if it scares away this scamp of a duke!” declared her husband. “Oh! I’ll make it real to the public—to Hazel and tips precious sprig of nobility of hers. Poverty, howling, grinding pauperism! Now then —no sentiment. We’ll furnish up the old house Just as bare and uninviting as it can be done. As to the meals, no fatted calf, wife! Give_ his ludship a genuine workhouse diet. It will take some of the grand notions out of him.” So the plot was laid. The new neighbors of the Bridges pitied their “sud-j den fall from affluence.” The old oneSj back at the home town commiserated them for making a costly splurge only to come back to even more humble and restricted surroundings than before. And one day bride and groom arrived. At the sight of the sunny nappy face of winsome Hazel, the mother broke down and the father’s heart softened. To the duke, however, the mother was distant and the father fairly uncivil. “Duke Edward,” however, broke the ice of severity, despite his gloomy ception. He praised the meals, he was like some high chevalier in his respect for Mrs. Bridges, in his love for Hazel. Early the next morning he strolled outside to join his father-in-law on the porch. “Mr. Bridges,” he began in his brisk animated way, “Hazel was telling me you had over two hundred acres in your place here.” “Oh, yes, such as it is,” growled the old man. “Not much good without capital to work it.” “Why,” enthused Duke Edward, “there you are mistaken! I’m up on soils and you’ve got the right sort here.”

“What do you know about It?” queried Mr. Bridges charily. * “Oh, my principal course at one time was scientific farming. It would Just delight me to join you in good hard work, making this wilderness blossom like the rose. Say, won’t you let me try it—father’” John Bridges winced. Then the barrier broke, dowm. The duke had disappeared. The hopeful, helpful real man had become manifest. “Heard your daughter had married a prince or something like that, Bridges,” observed a neighbor to her father a few days later. “That’s right,” assented the proud father-in-law —“a prince of a good fellow ! ” Then he went home with a happy smile on his face. He started whistling as he saw his son-in-law out in the fields in true farmer garb, hoe in hand, Hazel fluttering near by. “I say, son,” he called out as he passed them by, “we’re going to move back to our real home tomorrow,” and then he told where It was and why they had left it. “You’re the right sort!" declared the bluff old fellow heartily, “and I reckon smart enough to hold a good business if I start you in at it with the capital, hey? Call the scientific farming quits and let’s all settle down to enjoy lifq together!” (Copyright, 1916, by W. G. Chapman.)

DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR LOT

Then Pay a Visit to Madison Square Park at Night, a New Yorker Advises. “I advise all those who are dissatisfied with their lot in life and those who are apparently better situated, to take a seat in one of the parks here some night and merely observe,” a reflective man said the other day, according to a New York letter in the Pittsburgh Dispatch. “It makes a v man deeply thankful that he has a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over his head, if nothing else. “I was walking through Madison Square park the other night and watched the poor devils on the benches. Some w r ere typical do wn-and-outs. All were dozing in the cold. Most of them straightened up at the sound of an ominous footstep. A policeman swung around the corner and walked along the benches. Wherever he found a" man with his head fallen forward on his breast he stirred him to life by a prod in the ribs, with his stick. If the man failed to respond the representative of law and order sharply whacked him on the soles of his feet, causing the sleeper to start up suddenly an<f rub his feet together with a haste that would have been funny if it had not been so pitiful. The policeman passed on. “Some of the bench occupants apparently strove to keep awake. But their heads nodded, their eyes closed and again sleep came upon them. Again appeared the restless policeman, poking each man impartially. I wonder what is the idea of keeping a big, strong policeman who ought to be out catching stick-up men a* such a business? Why not let tha poor devils sleep?"

How She Got Even.

“Madam,” said the dignified husband! to his loving wife who had stolen up behind his chair and given hjxu ¥ a kiss, "you must know such actions are anything but agreeable to me.” “Oh, excuse me,” said the little worn* an, “1 didn’t know it was you."

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, INP-

COMPARES BENNY KAUFF WITH TY COBB

“Benny Kauff?” Hughey Jennings, master of the greatest baseball player the game can boast, Ty Cobb, repeated the last two words of a query and a hundred freckles lighted up as he smiled. “O, he’s a good ball player—a fair ball player. But it isn’t fair to mention him in the same breath with Ty Cob. Selling Platers don’t stack up with stake horses.” And just a few days ago Jennings saw the two pitted against each other as center fielders, in a game between the Tigers and the New York Giants at Houston, Tex. Ty Cobb, playing his first game of the year without a workout, made Kauff look awkward, says the boss of the Bengal ranch. A few days ago John McGraw, Benny

THINKING ABOUT LITTLE DOG

Pitcher Slim Sallee Makes Poor Play While Worrying About Lonesome . Pet Left at Home. A group of baseball players were discussing left-handers the other day, and as they ranged from Waddell to Benton to Sallee, they agreed that the man who pitches with his wrong armis always the possessor of eccen—trie moods. “ ‘Slim’ Sallee was working against the Giants at the Polo grounds,” said one member of the group, “and in the seventh inning the Giants filled the bases and needed only one run to tie. A ball was hit to Sallee, but instead of throwing the. ball to the plate and forcing a man, he hurled it to first. When he got

Slim Sallee.

back to the bench the rest of the players began to ‘ride’.him and accuse the pitcher of having been rattled by the shouts of the crowd. “ ‘Oh, let me alone,’ said ‘Slim,’ plaintively, ‘I didn’t mind the crowd. I was just thinking of my poor little dog at home. He’s all alone.’ ”

GAMBLERS GET EARLY START

Try to Obtain Foothold by Publishing Odds on Race in Major Leagues— Syndicate Active. Judging” from reports coming out of New York, It looks as if the gambling element is trying to obtain a foothold again in baseball, writes Ralph Davis in the Pittsburgh Press. Odds have been published on the coming major league races, and the chances are that a bookmaking syndicate is already ln -metropolis. It is to be hoped that the powers that be in the national past|me will not relax their efforts to ' keep the sport free from the gamblers’ taint, and that every possible effort will be made to squelch the bookies before they get a fair season’s start in their operations.

Benny Kauff and Ty Cobb.

Kauff’s master, came forth with a statement after seeing Cobb in that game that the Tiger without doubt was the greatest natural ball player he had ever seen. Jennings agreed with him absolutely. And he has a few good things to say of Kauff. “Kauff will hit .300 in the National league,” the “ee-yah” singer declares. “But that isn’t as difficult a Job as hitting .3do in the American league. The former Federal leaguer would be only an average ball player in the American league. We’re a lot faster-than the National.” “What would Cobb hit in the National league then?” he was asked. “I can’t think of such big numbers,” the answer came back.

BASCBALL STOR!I:S The cream of a baseball club should be found in the pitcher. * * * It takes a lot of runs to enable a baseball team to win in a walk. v * • Carl Mays of the Red Sox is now the only underhand pitcher in the American league. • * * President Tener is in favor of abolishing spring games between clubs in the National league. • • • An auburn-nosed baseball fan informs us that a highball in the hand is worth two in the air. * * * Baseball is a spienuui game or it would be smothered by the immense amount of capital tied up in it. * * * * Inni9 Brown resigned as president of the Georgia-Alabama league because of the press of private business. • * * The New York National will pay part of Jim Thorpe’s salary while he plays with the Milwaukee team this year. * * * Ezra Midkiff, who managed the Louisville Colonels last year, has been released to the Memphis Southern league club. * * * Manager Tinker thinks Schulte will help the Cubs a great deal in left field, because he understands the batters in the league. * • • These are the days when many a promising youngster is sent back to the “bushes” to learn something more about baseball. • * * Clark Griffith of Washington has signed Kenneth McGovern, Knox college pitcher, who will join the team the latter part of June. • • * Peter Allison, who has been turned back to the Southern league at New Orleans by Joe Tinker, is a star outfielder in that league. • * • Pitcher Erie Shore of the Red Sox is 15 pounds heavier than he was last season and with this added weight has come more strength. * * * Heine Zimmerman is seeking the premier male dancing title now held by Wassily Nijinsky. Heine prances best after hearing a strike miscalled. • • • The man who is a weather expert and a baseball fan commands a certain amount of sympathy just now as one whose business spoils his pleasure. * * * Bill James has doctored his arm so much that the Boston players think it has been overtreated; —Just-now Stailings is working James out very carefully- -' / v .—• • *_ A new collegian who will "loin the Athletics is Otis La wry, captain of the University of Maine team. He will join the A’s in June, after school closesi ■■ • s ‘

OUTLOOK IS SPLENDID

So Says John K. Tener, President of National League. Never Have Prospects Been Brighter in National Pastime—Baseball War Brought About Bome Deplorable Conditions. . (By JOHN K. TENER. President of the National League.) Splendid! That’s my opinion of the baseball outlook for 1916, not merely for the Rational league, but for every diamond organization in the country. Not since I have been connected with the great national game, either as player, rooter or executive, have prospects been brighter for all concerned. The mass of people In this country love the old game. During the past two years they have not shown it as much as in other years, but that was due to two things. One was the European war, which for a time, brought about a business depression. The other was the baseball war, which placed the affairs of baseball in a chaotic state. But now all is changed. The country is enjoying prosperity greater than ever before in its history. The people have money—and they do not feel that in spending some of it for baseball they need sacrifice later to make up for the outlay. Peaceful conditions In the baseball world means that the game itsblf will be from 20 to 40 per cent faster and better than It was during the past two years. The players realize now that they must play the game—and they will. They are going to put their whole hearts and souls Into the There will be no shirking. The boys will be out there day after day, battling every inch of the way, not merely because they must play at full speed to retain their jobs, but because their hearts are back in their tasks again. The baseball war brought about deplorable conditions. The so-called

John K. Tener, President of National League.

sflirting of the Federals turned the heads of some of the players. Conditions were .unsettled. But all is rosy now. I look for one of the prettiest races the National league has ever known, and from what I hear, the American league will stage a fight equally as thrilling. Some of the clubs in our circuit that were somewhat weak last year have been strengthened. Every team has -a chance for the pennant honors as the rival outfits prepare to toe the mark for the opening battle. Two or three of the clubs in the National league aren’t conceded a chance by dopesters—but the unexpected usually happens in baseball. The Braves weren’t conceded a chance in 1914. Nor were the Phillies in 1915. Yet both won out. History may repeat itself this year.

WOULD EQUAL 1914 RECORD

Fritz Maisel Hopes to Have More Than 76 Stolen Bases to His Credit at End of Season. Fritz Maisel hopes to equal his 1914 record of 76 stolen bases in the coming campaign. Last year Maisel fell 25 behind his mark of the year before, but this was due to the fact that he had fewer opportunities to steal. “It seemed as if there was always somebody on second when I got to first,” remarked Maisel in discussing his falling off. "I was as successful as in 1914, figuring the number of times 1 started and the number of times that I was thrown out”

DIAMOND REMAINS THE SAME

Lot of Bunk Printed About Changes in Size — Few Pitcher's Plates Have Been In Wrong Location. There is a lot of bunk being printed about changes to thw size of-the baseball diamond. As a matter Of fact, the diamond hasn’t been changed a particle. It Is possible that a few diamonds have had the pitcher's plate wrongly located and that second base has not been stationed where it belongs, but these are the only corrections to be made.

HOME TOWN HELPS

PARKS MEAN MUCH TO CITY Playgrounds a Most Important Part in the Welfare of Any Community. Play and outdoor exercise are as necessary to the modern city dweller as is education, according to J. R. Richards, Chicago's superintendent of recreation. The way in which spend their lives after the day’s journey is over — the way in which they play—offers them the best chance of contributing to the enhancement of one another’s lives; that is the view of Herbert Croly in “Progressive Democracy.” Parks are often called the lungs of the citieß. That seems to denote health giving. To call them the heart of the cities might give more idea of the moral value of the people’s playgrounds. That there is a moral issue in the use of public parks is the theme of Mr. Richards’ paper on the American city. The leisure time period, he declares, is the part of our existence that makes or breaks us. The saloon, Offering facilities for getting together, is one resort open to the idle hour, and he asserts that “the first visit is for companionship and not for booze.” Among the recommendations for the development of recreation opportunities for adults is that city authorities should co-operate with organizations already in existence and should have a survey made to put into use for outdoor sports all vacant areas. Grownups, he believes, should be Induced to take more interest in golf, tennis, cricket, boating, skating and other games and should be given plenty of room for sport. Public swimming pools also are urged to spread health and retain it. C

Plan the “City Practical."

Something of the right spirit is in St. Louis, where Harlan Bartholomew has been engaged by the citizens’ city planning cpmmittee. The river front and the street system will first engage his attention. “The city beautiful idea does not , appeal to the general public sufficiently to win financial support,” he said shortly after arriving from Newark, N. J., where for three years he had been a city plan expert. “I am interested in the city practical, and I find that the public is . inclined to favor it, as is comes to understand what can be done, and the benefits that will follow. “The river front should be made a public convenience and a business asset, and the improvements to be made should be in the direction of aiding the interchange of freight between rail and water carriers. “The street system of St. Louis, as of most American cities, is too largely rectangular. Radial highways are needed. Here the work of city replanning has to correct the mistakes of the past, which are often costly mistakes. The only place where it can do new work, and prevent further mistakes is in the planning of subdivisions and additions.”

Use Is the Test.

Chicago’s effort to promote outdoor recreation recently received tribute from Enos Mills of Colorado. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the movement for increased utilization of America’s national parks. “No city in the country has done so much for outdoor recreation as Chicago,” he 'said. “You are using your parks.” So it would appear that Mr. Richards practices what he preaches in the magazines. The Chicago News, in accepting Mr. Mills’ compliment, comments: “Chicago does not by any means lead in park area, either absolutely or in proportion to population. But, as Mr. Mills remarks, this community makes excellent provision for the people’s intensive utilization of the available park facilities. The playgrounds, the bathing beaches and swimming pools are designed to bring opportunities for healthful exercise and enjoyment within easy reach of as many of the people as possible, and a true reason for regret is the delay in the acquisition and conversion of the outlying wooded areas.”

City to Build Homes.

The city of St. Joffn, N. 8., is preparing to enter the housing business for the benefit of the workmen of the city. The first step was taken at a recent meeting of the common council, when a bill giving the city the required power, was approved and ordered to be forwarded to the legislature. The bill gives the city power to expropriate lapds as they may be required and to erect houses suitable for the homes of working men. It pro- • vides for the Issuing of bonds to cover the cost of purchase and erection and sets forth an easy-payment scheme under which the properties may be a®* qulred by the citizens. The plan suggested Is a payment of 10 or 15 per cent of the ultimate cost when possession is taken “ond the balance to be paid in monthly installments, *uch payments to be arranged to include interest at 6 per cent on tho balance outstanding. " & ' v