306 THE TIM BUNKER PAPERS. 



but in a fair way to be. Others are confirmed loafers, 

 rather seedy, and far on the downhill road. They fire 

 vulgar and profane ; but pitch, bat, and catch splendidly, 

 for the game is their only business. It can t do a young 

 man much good to be brought in contact with such char 

 acters. The manners and morals of the ball ground are 

 much more likely to mar than to mend him. The ten 

 dency of the game, as now managed, is towards idleness, 

 gambling, and dissipation. It makes good ball players, 

 but bad farmers and mechanics, bad husbands and fathers. 

 I am not ready to have the plow beams whittled into ball 

 clubs just yet. 



Then it is rather a low aim in life. There is something 

 noble in making a first-rate farmer. That means cheaper 

 bread and meat for the nation. To be a good mechanic is 

 praiseworthy. It means better homes for the people, and 

 better tools to do their work. But to be a first-rate ball 

 player, or to be one of a champion nine what does it 

 amount to ? If Shadtown beats the White Oakers all hol 

 low, who is the better for it ? General Trowbridge came 

 through Hookertown last week in his splendid turn-out, 

 and when opposite the widow Taft s, a little noisy cur 

 came out, and barked at his carriage, as if he thought he 

 could stop it. He succeeded, and the General jumped out, 

 and walloped the cur soundly, and sent him yelling 

 through the gate. This brought the widow to the door in 

 a somewhat excited state : &quot; Wall, Gineral, that s a big 

 victory for you! You ve whippt a one-eyed cur.&quot; It 

 strikes me that the base ball victories are about on a par 

 with the General s. Shadtown is triumphant, but the 

 White Oakers still live. 



Yours to command, 



TIMOTHY BUNKER, ESQ. 



Hookertown, Oct. 25, 1867. 



