As Joe started to take his place a messenger boy handed him a telegram. He was a little startled at first, and then laughed at his fears.
“Probably good wishes from home,” he murmured, as he tore open the envelope. And then the bright day seemed to go black as he read:
“Your father hurt in explosion. No danger of death, but may lose eyesight. If you can come home do so. Mother.”
[CHAPTER XV]
JOE’S PLUCK
Joe’s distress at receiving the bad news was so evident, at least to Gregory, that the manager hurried over to the young pitcher and asked:
“What’s the matter, old man? Something upset you?”
For answer Joe simply held out the message.
“I say! That’s too bad!” exclaimed Gregory sympathetically. “Let’s see now. You can get a train in about an hour, I think. Skip right off. I’ll make it all right.” It was his business to know much about trains, and he was almost a “walking timetable.”