"And a diamond if he hits the umpire in the eye," came from Joe.
"Now you're pokin' fun at me!" grumbled the Irish boy. "Just the same, I'm going to be a pitcher some day," he continued, brightening. "Mike Leary once pitched for the Red Stockings, of Pittsfield, an' they paid him five dollars the game. 'Twas easy money, my dad said."
All told, twelve boys had assembled, and it was speedily settled that they should choose sides, with Fred and Joe as leaders, one having furnished the bat and the other the ball. Fred's first choice of a player was Harry, while Joe took Bart, and the other choices followed rapidly. A game of five innings was arranged, with Joe's side first to the bat.
"Here is where you go out in one, two, three order," said Fred, as he stationed himself behind the home plate. He had put in Harry as pitcher and Frank as first baseman. "Harry, don't you favor Joe, even if he is your brother!" he called out.
"No favors granted or expected!" sang out Harry. "All ready?"
"Ready," answered Joe, who was the first player up.
With care Harry sent the ball in, but it was too high and Joe did not strike at it.
"One ball!" cried out the youth who had been selected as umpire.
Again the ball came in. This time Joe struck at it and missed it.
"One strike!"