The High School Pitcher

The High School Pitcher

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The High School Pitcher, by H.
Irving Hancock This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no
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Title: The High School Pitcher Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond
Author: H. Irving Hancock
Release Date: June 23, 2004 [EBook #12690]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HIGH
SCHOOL PITCHER ***

Produced by Jim Ludwig

THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER
or Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond

CONTENTS

CHAPTERS
I. The Principal Hears Something About Pennies II. Dick Takes Up His
Pen III. Mr. Cantwell Thinks Twice---or Oftener IV. Dave Warns Tip
Scammon V. Ripley Learns That the Piper Must be Paid VI. The Call

to the Diamond---Fred Schemes VII. Dave Talks with One Hand VIII.
Huh? Woolly Crocheted Slippers IX. Fred Pitches a Bombshell into
Training Camp X. Dick & Co. Take a Turn at Feeling Glum XI. The
Third Party's Amazement XII. Trying out the Pitchers XIII. The Riot
Call and Other Little Things XIV. The Steam of the Batsman XV. A
Dastard's Work in the Dark XVI. The Hour of Tormenting Doubt XVII.
When the Home Fans Quivered XVIII. The Grit of the Grand Old
Game XIX. Some Mean Tricks Left Over XX. A Tin Can for the
Yellow Dog XXI. Dick is Generous Because It's Natural XXII. All
Roads Lead to the Swimming Pool XXIII. The Agony of the Last Big
Game XIV. Conclusion

CHAPTER I
THE PRINCIPAL HEARS SOMETHING ABOUT "PENNIES"
Clang!
"Attention, please."
The barely audible droning of study ceased promptly in the big
assembly room of the Gridley High School.
The new principal, who had just stepped into the room, and who now
stood waiting behind his flat-top desk on the platform, was a tall, thin,
severe-looking man of thirty-two or three.
For this year Dr. Carl Thornton, beloved principal for a half-score of
years, was not in command at the school. Ill health had forced the good
old doctor to take at least a year's rest, and this stranger now sat in the
Thornton chair.
"Mr. Harper," almost rasped out Mr. Cantwell's voice, "stop rustling
that paper."
Harper, a little freshmen, who had merely meant to slip the paper inside
his desk, and who was not making a disturbing noise thereby, flushed
pink and sat immobile, the paper swinging from one hand.

From the principal's attitude and his look of seriousness, something
unusual was pending. Some of the girls permitted their apprehension to
be seen. On the faces of several of the boys rested a look of half
defiance, for this principal was unpopular, and, by the students, was
considered unjust.
"It being now in the early part of December," went on Mr. Cantwell,
"we shall, on Monday, begin rehearsing the music for the special
exercises to be held in this school on the day before Christmas. To that
end, each of you found, on returning from recess, the new Christmas
music on your desk."
Mr. Cantwell paused an instant for this important information to sink in.
Several slight, little sighs of relief escaped the students, especially from
the girls' side of the great room. This speech did not presage anything
very dreadful to come.
"This sheet music," continued Mr. Cantwell, "is to be sold to the pupils
at cost to the Board of Education. This cost price is fifteen cents."
Again Mr. Cantwell paused. It was a trick of his, a personal peculiarity.
Then be permitted himself a slight smile as he added:
"This being Friday, I will ask you all to be sure to bring, on Monday
morning, the money, which you will pay to me. Don't forget, please;
each of you bring me his little fifteen pennies. Now, return to your
studies until the beginning of the fourth period is announced."
As he bent his head low behind a bulky textbook, Dan Dalzell, of the
sophomore class, glanced over at Dick Prescott with sparkling mischief
gleaming in his eyes.
Dick, who was now a sophomore, and one of the assured leaders in
sports and fun, guessed that Dan Dalzell was hatching another of the
wild schemes for which Dalzell was somewhat famous. Dick even
guessed that he knew about what was passing in Dan's mind.
Though moderate whispering was permitted, at need, in the assembly

room, there was no chance for Dick and Dan to pass even a word at this
time, for almost immediately the bell for the fourth period of the
morning's work sounded, and the sections rose and filed out to the