“It’s rotten!”
“That’s only a trick!”
These were some of the cries that greeted the announcement Hiram made.
“It may never have been enforced, but it’s going to be now!” he shouted. “It was made to cover just such snap cases as this. You tried to work a trick, Tom Davis, but you got left. You and those other lads can’t vote for three months, and so the team stands as originally named.”
“But we have no captain—your rule won’t work. You said the manager, chairman and captain could apply that rule. Who is the captain?” demanded Tom, as he saw his game blocked.
“Luke Fodick is captain of this nine; isn’t he?” shouted Hiram, closing the last loophole.
“Aye!” yelled the bully’s crowd.
“No!” yelled Tom’s.
“The ayes have it,” announced the chairman, “and Luke and I agreed on enforcing that rule at this time. Besides, I am acting as chairman in place of Henry Clay, who isn’t present, and I have his voting proxy, so Henry and I also agree on it, if you question the election of Luke.”
“That ends it,” murmured Peaches in Tom’s ear. “Henry Clay never does preside as chairman. He’s only a figurehead for Hiram, and that’s well known. Hiram always votes for him. I guess you’re beaten Tom.”