He took one look at me and let out a roar like a lion's.
"'What are you doing in here?' he yelled. This is a respectable place!
Get out of here!'
"'Wait a minute,' I says. 'I've got a telegram from the manager of the
Ball Club to report here, and if I make good I'll get a contract.'
"'Are you kidding?' he says. 'Who in the world ever recommended you?'
"'Howard Wakefield did,' I said.
"'Well,' says the guy behind the counter, 'Wakefield is in back shooting
billiards. We'll soon settle this!'
"I'd like to go back and see him,' I said.
"'Don't you go back there,' he shouted. 'Don't even think about going
back there! You'll drive everybody out. Did you ever take a bath?'
"'Of course I did,' says I. 'But I've bummed my way here and I haven't
had a chance to clean up yet.'
"So he goes into the back and in a minute Howard comes out 'Cripes!' he
says. 'What happened to you?'
"I was explaining it to him when in came Mr. Frisbee, the manager, and I
was introduced to him. 'I received your telegram,' I said. 'I didn't
have enough money to come first class or anything like that, but here I
am.'
"'Keokuk is here tomorrow,' says the manager, 'and we'll pitch you.'"
"'We'll pitch you?'" echoed Hootsey.
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