CHAPTERPAGE
I[Danger]1
II[Off for the South]13
III[An Accusation]23
IV[In Training]30
V[The Clash]41
VI[A Straight Throw]50
VII[The Girl]58
VIII[A Parting]67
IX[The First League Game]74
X[Bitterness]84
XI[Old Pop Consoles]92
XII[The Queer Valise]98
XIII[Mabel]105
XIV[Bad News]113
XV[Joe’s Pluck]120
XVI[A Slim Chance]128
XVII[Old Pop Again]136
XVIII[In Despair]144
XIX[A New Hold]153
XX[Joe’s Triumph]161
XXI[A Danger Signal]168
XXII[Victory]176
XXIII[The Tramp Again]185
XXIV[On the Track]191
XXV[Reggie’s Auto]198
XXVI[The Tramp Rendezvous]206
XXVII[The Slow Watch]212
XXVIII[The Race]220
XXIX[A Diamond Battle]228
XXX[The Pennant]237

BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE

[CHAPTER I]
DANGER

“Why, here’s Joe!”

“So soon? I didn’t expect him until night.”

The girl who had uttered the first exclamation, and her mother whose surprise was manifested in the second, hurried to the door of the cottage, up the gravel walk to which a tall, athletic youth was then striding, swinging a heavy valise as though he enjoyed the weight of it.

“Hello, Mother!” he called gaily. “How are you, Sis?” and a moment later Joe Matson was alternating his marks of affection between his mother and sister.

“Well, it’s good to be home again!” he went on, looking into the two faces which showed the pleasure felt in the presence of the lad. “Mighty good to be home again!”