Merton, Bradley, and Markwith were called on to a much greater extent than usual in the games that followed. They did fairly good work, but the absence of Joe was severely felt. The team did not play behind the other twirlers with the confidence they showed when Joe was in the box, and the Giants began to lose games with a frequency that was profoundly disturbing to McRae.
With the eastern teams they scored little more than an even break. And as the Chicagos and Pittsburghs were playing at the top of their form, the commanding lead that the Giants had enjoyed was rapidly diminished.
On one of the days that the Phillies were scheduled to play in New York the day was dark and lowering, and as rain began to fall about noon the game was called off. As it developed, the game could have been played after all, for the rain ceased and the sun shone out brightly about two o’clock, but it was then too late to change the arrangements.
Jim had taken advantage of the unexpected vacation to go downtown on a business errand and Joe had taken his favorite seat in the bay window of his apartment with a book in which he was interested.
Two hours later Jim returned. He entered the apartment in his usual breezy manner.
“What do you think, Joe—” he began, and stopped.
Joe’s book had dropped to the floor and he himself was sprawled out in the chair fast asleep.
“By the great horn spoon!” exclaimed Jim. “You lazy old galoot!”
He pranced up to his friend and shook him vigorously.
“Snap out of it, old boy!”