“Didn’t sprain your salary wing, or anything like that?” grinned Altman. “You fetched that fellow an awful hit in the jaw.”
“I hated to do it, but it was coming to him,” laughed Joe. 41
“Well, if there are any doctors’ bills, I guess the Riverside people will be willing to take up a collection to pay them,” replied Altman. “It’s mighty lucky for the town that you happened to be in the crowd last night.”
“I suppose you’re off to keep your next engagement,” said Joe, to change the subject. “By the way, Nick, that was a mighty nifty skit of yours at the hall last night. It brought down the house. It ought to pull big everywhere.”
“I’m glad you liked it,” replied Altman. “I’m booked for twenty weeks and I’m drawing down good money.”
“I suppose you’ll be with the White Sox next year, as usual,” said Joe.
Altman hesitated.
“W-why, I suppose so,” he said slowly. “My contract with them has another year to run. To tell the truth, though, Joe, I’m somewhat unsettled.”
“Why,” said Joe, “you’re not going to give up the game for the stage, are you?”
“Oh, nothing like that,” replied Altman. “I’d rather play ball than eat, and I’ll stick to the game as long as this old wing of mine can put them over the plate. But whether I’ll be with the White Sox or not is another question.”