Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1897 — Jim and John. [ARTICLE]

Jim and John.

Jim and John were townsmen and ■chums, and went out to see base-ball. It was a red-hot afternoon, and the bleachers were like frying pans at breakfast time. Jim had a bald head and John had a crick in the back. They sat for an underdone roast and laughed at everything. Jim’s bald spot was a shining mark, like a brass dopr-plate. A stray ball, fierce and sharp, from a false bat, struck the spot and ploughed a furrow. It dazed him. Jim’s eyes and face looked like a sick owl’s, and John laughed. He laughed an hour straight along. The game ran late into twilight. Meanwhile, John had shed his coat, aud a cool, damp draft got In its work on his back. The time came to leave, but John couldn’t. He couldn’t bend or get up. Lumbago had set In in its worst form. He laughs best who laughs last, aud Jim had revenge. But they got down town to Jim’s room, when he said; “Here’s something all those athletes use for hurts and ailments, and it’s the best known cure for lame back.” He rubbed it on John’s hack and some on his own head. They were both feeling cured and comfortable from the use of St. Jacobs Oil, which Jim always kept In a handy place. He was a sport himself and knew what was best. They went to bed. John laughed In his sleep. Both rose In the morning fresh as daisies. Then Jim laughed at John.