[CHAPTER IV]
A SNEERING LAUGH
“Come on now, Art! Line one out!”
“A home run, old man! You can do it!”
“Slam one over the fence!”
“Poke it to the icehouse and come walking!”
“We’ve got the pitcher’s goat already! Don’t mind him, even if he is going to college!”
These were only a few of the good-natured cries that greeted Art Church as he stood at the home plate, waiting for Joe Matson to deliver the ball. And, in like manner, Joe was gently gibed by his opponents, some of whom had not faced him in some time. To others he was an unknown quantity.
But even those newest members of the Resolutes had heard of Joe’s reputation, and there was not a little of the feeling in the visiting nine that they were doomed to defeat through the opposing pitcher.