to us to get a good start early in the game," remarked Fred,
"so that if the rain does come down after the fifth inning and we're in
the lead, we'll win anyway."

"Right you are," replied Ned. "Last year we lost a game that way just as
we thought we had it tucked away in our bat bag. The other fellows were
one run ahead, and when we came to bat in our half of the sixth we got
three men on bases in less than no time. Our heaviest batters were just
coming up, and one of them knocked a homer, clearing the bases and
putting us three runs in the lead. The fellows were dancing round and
hugging each other, when just then the rain came down like fury and the
game had to be called. Of course, our runs didn't count and the score
stood as it was at the end of the fifth, with the other fellows ahead. I
tell you it was a tough game to lose."

"Well, I swan,
It looks like ra-in,
Gidde-ap, Napoleon,
We'll get the hay in,"

drawled Tom, who had not only a store of good poetry always on tap but
was also well provided with plenty that was not so good.

"Your poetry is rank, Tom," laughed Teddy, as he made a pass at him,
"but the sentiment is all to the good. We'll get the hay in in the early
part of the game."

Just then there was a whistle in the distance.

"Here she comes!" went up the cry and there was a general scurry toward
the front of the platform. The train was a local, with only three cars,
and it was a certainty that with the unusual crush that morning a lot of
the passengers would have to stand.

The train drew up with a clang and a rattle, and there was a regular
football rush the moment it came to a stop.

"Get aboard!" shouted one.

"If you can't get a board, get a plank," yelled another.

"Easy there," shouted the conductor, as the swirling mob almost swept
him off his feet.

But he might as well have tried to check a cyclone. They swarmed around
him, and in less than a minute the train was packed. There was a lot of
jolly, good-natured scuffling to get the vacant seats.

"Wow! get off my toes!" yelled one of the unlucky ones.

"How can I help it?" laughed the one addressed. "I've got to stand
somewhere, haven't I?"

The conductor wiped his perspiring brow.

"Well, of all the young limbs!" he ejaculated. But his frown quickly
melted into a grin. He had boys of his own.

"They can only be kids once," he muttered, as he gave the engineer the
signal to go ahead.

Inside the cars, all w