“I’m pretty sure, Dad, I can make the chance of being the star pitcher on the school team for this coming season, if only you’ll back me up in it.”

“Why, as far as that goes,” replied Lawyer Ripley, “I believe that about all the benefits of school athletics can be gained by one who isn’t necessarily right at the top of the crowd.”

“But not to go to the top of the crowd, and not to try too, Dad, is contrary to the spirit of athletics,” argued Fred, rather cleverly.  “Besides, one of the best things about athletics, I think, is the spirit to fight for leadership.  That’s a useful lesson—–­leadership—–­to carry out into life, isn’t it, sir?”

“Yes, it is; you’re right about that, son,” nodded the lawyer.

“Well, sir, Everett, one of the crack pitchers of national fame, is over in Duxbridge for the winter.  He doesn’t go south with his team for practice until the middle or latter part of February.  Duxbridge is only twelve miles from here.  He could come over here, or you could let your man take me over to Duxbridge in your auto.  Dad, I want to be the pitcher of the crack battery in the school nine.  Will you engage Everett, or let me hire him, to train me right from the start in all the best styles of pitching?”

“How much would it cost?” asked the lawyer, cautiously.

“I don’t know exactly, sir.  A few hundred dollars, probably.”

Fred’s face was glowing with eagerness.  His mother, who was standing just behind him, nodded encouragingly at her husband.

“Well, yes, Fred, if you’re sure you can make yourself the star pitcher of the school nine, I will.”

“When may I go to see Everett, sir?” asked Fred, making no effort to conceal the great joy this promise had given him.

“Since you’re to be engaged for this afternoon, Fred, we’ll make it to-morrow.  I’ll order out the car and go over to Duxbridge with you.”.

It was in the happiest possible frame of mind, for him, that Fred Ripley went back to the High School that afternoon.  He didn’t arrive until five minutes before the hour for calling the meeting; he didn’t care to be of the common crowd that would be on hand at or soon after two-thirty.

When he entered, he found a goodly and noisy crowd of some eighty High School boys of the three upper classes present.  Ripley nodded to a few with whom he was on the best terms.

Settees had been placed at one end of the gym.  There was an aisle between two groups of these seats.

“Gentlemen, you’ll please come to order, now,” called out Coach Luce, mounting to a small platform before the seats.

It took a couple of minutes to get the eager, half-turbulent throng seated in order.  Then the coach rapped sharply, and instantly all was silence, save for the voice of the speaker.

“Gentlemen,” announced Mr. Luce, “it is the plan to make the next season the banner one in baseball in all our school’s history.  This will call for some real work, for constantly sustained effort.  Every man who goes into the baseball training squad will be expected to do his full share of general gymnastic work here, and to improve every favorable chance for such cross-country running and other outdoor sports as may be ordered.