Play Ball

Play Ball

Samantha Springer had come out of her shell. Her family moved to Camden Corners from New York City at the beginning of the year. Clay, Samantha's father had been recruited to practice medicine in the brand new Shane Howard Memorial Hospital. It had been quite a change for the big city natives but everyone in the family had adjusted well to the move.

Samantha usually had her nose stuck in a book. Her mother, Margie knew she was interested in the history of antiques and collectibles. She was happy to discover Looking Back Antique Shop and even happier when Lily Crowley suggested Samantha would be welcome to work in the shop after school. Samantha was anticipating her new job when the family attended the town's Valentine Dance. Her brother Peter had dragged her out on the dance floor and then left her in the middle of the floor so he could dance with Jennie Burke. Marty Mackenzie came to her rescue and finished the dance. They danced so well together the others all stopped and watched from the sides of the dance floor. Samantha had always liked to dance. She never walked through a room as a little girl, she always twirled through usually on her toes. While living in New York she attended the Miss Frances School of Dance. Miss Frances could see a talent in her and encouraged Margie to continue her training. She did until the family's move to Camden Corners where the closest dancing school was in Wilmington.

After Samantha and Marty's performance in the recent talent show, her sister Abigail and her friends, Iris, Cassandra and Becky asked Samantha to teach them to dance. Samantha was a very patient teacher and the girls were catching on. Before long, more and more girls were showing up at the Springer house to learn how to dance from Miss Samantha. Between the impromptu dance lessons and working at the antique shop, and keeping company with Marty Mackenzie, Samantha had little time to read about the lives of fictional characters. She was too busy with her own life.

Margie wrote to Miss Frances inquiring about an accelerated dance class that Samantha could attend during the summer. There was an opening. Miss Frances would teach Samantha all she knew about giving lessons in the hopes she would be prepared to open her own studio in the fall. Although Samantha would miss Marty and her family, it would only be for three months. It was arranged she would be staying with her friend Elinor's family while in New York.

On the last Saturday before she was ready to leave, the Fulbrights asked if she would like to go along with them to an estate sale in Brenton.

“Oh, I would love to go,” Samantha enjoyed her excursions with the Fulbrights. They always found such interesting items when they went to estate sales and auctions. Jonas always had a story to tell. Samantha wasn't sure they were all true but she loved to hear him tell them regardless. The Fulbright's grandchildren had no interest in antiques and so they were happy to have young Samantha along.

Samantha had her own money and was determined to make a find that would impress Emma and Lily. She spotted piece after piece but nothing was quite right. She followed Jonas down the stairs into the dark damp basement. Old Alvin Gates lived his whole life in this house but was now unable to care for it and moved in with his son. Alvin Gates, Jr. walked down the stairs with them holding a lantern.

“It's very dark down here. I don't want you to fall. Pa never kept too much down here. With his failing eyesight he couldn't see well enough in the darkness.”

Just to the right of the stairwell, Samantha spotted baseball bats. She walked over to them. There must have been 30 or more. The box next to them contained baseball gloves in every shape and size imaginable. There were catcher's masks, padding, base markers and dozens of baseballs. Samantha thought of her brother Pete and his friends. Pete talked non-stop about baseball. The boys played but they lacked equipment.

“How much for this baseball equipment sir?”

“Oh, let's see, I'd say $5.00 would be a good price.” Mr. Gates figured he'd start high. This little girl wouldn't know enough to bargain with him.

Jonas knew Samantha could hold her own and wasn't surprised when she came back with a counter offer.

“Not so sure they are worth that much Mr. Gates. This equipment is old. Being down here in the damp basement I'd be afraid those wooden bats might be warped. I'd be glad to take it all off your hands for two bits.”

Mr. Gates was surprised. She was a finagler after all. “Tell you what. This is a sacrifice but I might be willing to let them go for $3.00.”

“Sorry Mr. Gates, you're way too high for me. I'd be willing to give you fifty cents but that is my final offer.”

“Pa would get a real kick out of you. I think he would be willing to let them go for fifty cents. It's a deal young lady.”

Jonas and Mr. Gates helped carry the equipment up the stairs and into the wagon. Mr. Gates told them his father was a big fan of baseball. When he was a kid his pa would drag him to baseball games all over the county.

“One afternoon we arrived at the game in Henderson. Seems the manager and the players got into a big fight. The players all walked off the field and the manager got so mad he dumped all their equipment into a heap outside the fence. Pa started picking it all up and putting it into our carriage. I remember making several trips back and forth to pick up every last bat and ball. I had to sit on top of the bats on the way home. I worried that we would be caught stealing. Pa said since they were outside the fence they were on public property, and he was a member of the public which meant the equipment was on his property. I don't remember Henderson ever playing another baseball game. Maybe because they didn't have any equipment.”

The wagon was completely loaded. “Sorry Mr. Jonas, I guess I should have asked if you had enough room for all this equipment. I just got so excited when I saw it. Pete and his friends will be able to have a real baseball team now.”

“You did great Samantha. Ethel, our little girl here persuaded Mr. Gates to let all this go for 50 cents when he wanted $5.00 to begin with.”

“I only had 75 cents. I would have gone that high but I'm glad I didn't. I don't think I will let my mother know this is stolen merchandise. She would make me donate it to charity.”

They made one more stop where Samantha spent the last of her money on a porcelain ballet dancer figurine.

“I'll put this in the shop and if it doesn't sell I'll buy it for my dance studio. Don't you think it would look lovely there Miss Ethel?”

Ethel had already decided to buy it herself and put it away until Samantha's studio was opened. She would then give it to Samantha. This girl knew a bargain. Ethel would have to charge herself at least $3.00 for it.

Before Jonas was able to come to a halt in front of the Springer house, Samantha was out of the wagon and calling for Pete to come quick. Pete, Margie and Abigail came running out of the house.

“Look Pete, look what I bought for you and your friends.”

Pete's eyes opened wide. He had never seen so much baseball equipment before. He began picking up the bats swinging each and every one as he did.

“Wait til the fellows see these. Samantha, how did you find all this? You are greatest sister ever.”

Jonas helped take the equipment out. They set it on the front porch because Pete wanted to get all his friend together to see the haul.

“We'll be able to have a real baseball team now. I can't wait to tell Jennie. She'll be the best guy on our team.”

Ethel and Margie laughed. They knew Jennie loved the game of baseball as much as Pete did.

“Don't underestimate Jennie Mackenzie. I've watched her pitch a ball. If she were a boy she'd be on her way to play for the New York Giants.”

“Not the Giants Mr. Fulbright, Jennie would play for the New York Highlanders. The Giants should move out west because the Highlanders are the best team.” Pete said with pride for his favorite team and favorite girl.

Samantha thanked the older couple for inviting her along on their trip. She could tell Pete was happy with her purchase. Ethel and Jonas said goodbye to everyone as they left the Springer house for home. They were tired but happy.

“Did you see how the boy's eyes lit up when he saw what his sister bought for him? Samantha is a very special person isn't she Ethel? I'm happy she will be going to New York but we will miss having her along on our excursions. She knows how to get a bargain. I hate to admit it but I'd have paid the $3.00.”

Clay Springer was just coming home after a busy day at the hospital. As he walked toward his house he saw his lawn was covered with boys swinging bats and tossing baseballs back and forth.

“Where'd all this come from?” he called to Pete.

“Samantha brought it home from some old guy's house in Brenton. Isn't it great, Pa? We have enough here to start our own baseball team. We just have to find a place to store it. Ma says we can't keep it on the front lawn.”

Reggie Blackburn was walking toward his home when he spotted the commotion. Reggie couldn't help himself, he had to swing a bat or two.

“Hey fellas, do you know where you're going to set up your baseball diamond? There's a piece of land you could use just south of the construction company's property. It's vacant now. Miss Lucinda owns the property and I'm sure she would be happy to let you use it. We have plenty of scraps of lumber left over from the hospital and winery. My crew and I would be happy to help you build a storage shed and bleachers. I'll stop by Miss Lucinda's house. It's on my way home. I'll see if it's OK with her and if you like we can get started tomorrow.”

The boys and Jennie were excited. They accepted Reggie's offer.

Marty Mackenzie spoke up, “We'll call it the Samantha Springer Stadium.”

Samantha laughed. “No, just name it after your baseball team.”

“Hey fellas, what do you want to name our team?” Pete shouted.

“The Camden Corners Cats.” someone shouted. Everyone thought that didn't sound tough enough.

Others suggested Tigers, Bears, Cougars. It went on with everyone having their own suggestion.

Jennie interrupted. “Let's write down all of the suggestions and draw a name out of a hat. That way we can start getting this stuff off of the lawn and everyone can go home for supper. Your mothers are probably wondering where you are.”

When all the names were written on pieces of scrap paper they asked Samantha to draw a name out of a hat.

“I am pleased to announce our baseball team shall be now and forever known as The Camden Corners Grizzlies.”

Everyone was happy with the name. They all pitched in to stack the equipment on the Springer's porch. Each member of the team hurried home to supper dreaming of hitting a home run in the first game played by the Camden Corner Grizzlies.

The Auction

 

The Village of Camden Corners

 

The Auction

“Allow me to assist you Miss Millicent.” Millie Stout heard the deep voice of Leland Harvey behind her.

“Thank you Mr. Harvey. I didn't realize how heavy this small table was. I thought I could manage it myself. I think you know me well enough to call me Millie. After all, it was you who sought me out to let me know I was down to the last of my funds for this old place.”

“I am truly sorry to have been the bearer of bad tidings. It is one of the more unpleasant aspects of my position as president of First National Bank & Trust. I would be happy if you would call me Leland.”

“Leland, what brings you to Merryweather's today?”

Merryweather's is the childhood home of Millicent and Neville Merryweather. Millicent was forced to convert the lower floor of the mansion into an antique shop. Her friends, Lily and Emma Crowley found it necessary to expand Looking Back Antiques and since Millicent was running out of money for the upkeep of her home, she was delighted when Nettie Crowley suggested the arrangement. Millicent, who now preferred to be called Millie had never been happier. Since her husband's death several years before, Millie had been living by herself in the big old house. She didn't realize how lonely she was until she employed Leo and Addie Schmidt and shared her home with them.

Out of the blue, James Robinson appeared at the front door of Merryweather's looking for his father, Neville Merryweather. James had been raised by his mother, Helene and Chester Robinson. On his deathbed, Chester confessed to James that he was not his birth father. Helene kept the birth of his son a secret from Neville. Neville and Helene never stopped loving each other, but it was a love that couldn't be. Neville's family lived in the world of high society and Helene was from a working class family. The two had met and fallen in love in college. Neville's father wouldn't hear of his son marrying beneath his station and the young couple parted ways. Several years later, they met by chance and Helene conceived a child. Neville returned to his life and his arranged engagement to Prudence Wingate, a woman he never loved. Prudence and Neville were the parents of two daughters. The moment Neville was informed of James' existence, he welcomed him. James' sisters were happy to meet their new brother and loved him without question. Prudence wanted nothing to do with James Robinson and continued a pattern of drinking herself into a stupor more and more often.

James quickly became attached to Camden Corners and with the encouragement of his Aunt Millie, decided to stay on for a while. Eventually his mother joined him and settled in as head librarian of the library. Millie and Helene became instant friends, she occupied one of the many rooms in the Merryweather mansion. Helene and Neville met again and both accepted the fact that they would never be together. Neville found his way to Camden Corners on a regular basis. His daughters both enjoyed being with their brother also. Prudence was left home to wallow in her own self pity. Neville did try to encourage her to take an active role in her daughters' and his son's lives, but she seemed to enjoy her misery.

Leland offered to help Leo and Jonas Fulbright load the buckboard carrying the last load of Millie's mother's treasures to the Hightower Winery. The auction was being held that afternoon. It was only 9:00 in the morning and already people from the surrounding towns were lining up to examine all the items that were to be auctioned.

“Millie, I have a few things of mothers that I would like to donate to the auction.” said Leland. “I don't know if they will bring in much money, but I do know they have been in the family for quite a while.”

“How nice of you Leland, I'm sure we will be able to get a good price for them. Are you sure you want to sell your mother's treasures?”

“Yes, I have no use for them. I spend most of my days and evenings at the bank and don't even notice the items I have in the house.”

“Leland, you need to be with friends more. I know it has made a world of difference to me. I never even realized what a lonely old woman I was until I started spending time with other people. Addie is making a special dinner this evening. Why don't you plan to join us?”

“I would be delighted Millie. Would you care to ride along with me to the winery? I have more room in my carriage than Jonas does, with all those items in the buckboard.”

Millie looked at Leland and saw quite the nice looking gentleman. She wondered why she hadn't noticed how attractive he was long before this? She allowed him to help her into the carriage as a smiling Addie and Helene looked on.

Millie looked behind her and saw a carton filled with cranberry hobnail tumblers, a pitcher and several different size vases.

“Leland, why these pieces are exquisite. They are extremely rare and I can't be certain but I do believe they date back to the middle of the last century. Possibly further. You may want to reconsider donating them.”

“I do hope they are of some value and will bring in some much needed cash. Mother use to dust them and whenever she did it made both of us sneeze. I don't remember her ever using them even when guests came to dinner. There are so many items in the cabinets and curios in that old house. I should have you come over and help me weed them out. I may be able to donate most of them to the antique shops.”

“If this is any indication, the girls and I would be delighted to search through your mother's things. I imagine we will find many treasures.”

“Then it's settled. Miss Millie, will you do me the honor of having tea with me next Wednesday? I will call for you at 3:00.”

Millie felt herself blushing and wondered what Addie and Helene would have to say when she told them she had an engagement with a gentleman. Millie had a difficult time keeping the smile off her face for the next quarter mile to the winery.

The crowd was overwhelming when they arrived with their treasures. Sheriff Mendenhall was having a difficult time keeping the lookers away from the buckboard and Leland's carriage long enough to allow them to carry their goods in through the back door. Once inside, they couldn't believe what they were seeing. There was barely any room to move around the display area as more and more items were being added.

It looked like everyone in town had donated several of their family heirlooms. Everyone was greeting Millie and thanking her for coming up with the idea of an auction.

The young people were busy in the lower level setting up tables for the many baked goods every household provided for sale. The high school students in their crisp white aprons were arranging the tempting treats. The doors were opened and most of those waiting were hungry when they smelled the freshly baked goodies just waiting to be sampled. Within an hour, every last morsel had been purchased and consumed. The boys and girls were very happy with the amount they collected in such a short time.

People were milling around examining all of the fine pieces of artwork, jewelry, furniture and collectibles. Dahlia and Hyacinth's quilts were displayed beautifully throughout the ballroom. The room was buzzing with chatter and activity until the auctioneer hired by the Hightowers pounded his gavel to silence the crowd and begin the auction.

It had been previously decided those from out of town would be given the opportunity to place bids before the Camden Corner folks. If the bids were very low, residents were welcome to bid on items of their choice. As it turned out, the bids were much higher than anticipated. There was nothing left by the end of the auction three hours later. Even the professional auctioneer admitted the event was very successful.

Addie and Helene left the auction early to put finishing touches on the feast they were preparing for their family and guests. Mr. Leland Harvey had agreed to join them that evening and they wanted to make sure Mr. Harvey was made to feel very welcome. The two women giggled when Helene placed his name card to the left of Millie's usual seat at the table.

Dinner was wonderful, Addie had outdone herself. Grady and Elizabeth Murphy joined them that evening. Addie and Leo had been the only family Grady had ever really known. His mother died when he was young and his father was a busy physician who catered to the rich. He was never much of a father to Grady. Grady also became a doctor but his goals were not to accumulate money but to help and care for people. Addie and Leo made the trip from their New York home to attend Grady and Elizabeth's wedding and never returned to their former home again.

After dinner, James suggested they play a game of charades. Leland had never heard of the game but he was enjoying his time with Millie and her friends and family so much he was willing to learn something new.

After a few rounds, it was Leland's turn. He picked a card out of a hat and it read Let's Talk Turkey.

“This is an easy one,” he said. Leland moved his mouth as though talking and his team guessed he was trying to tell them he was a fish. He gave up on that word and went to turkey. He knew he couldn't speak so put his hands under his arms and flapped them strutting through the parlor with his head bobbing. Nobody had ever seen the very formal Mr. Leland Harvey act the least bit silly before. Everyone was doubled over in laughter. Leland caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and couldn't help but laugh too. Time was up before his team guessed his quote but nobody cared. They all had a wonderful time, especially Leland. He was realizing how much he had missed out on all these years when his ambition in life was to be a success in the banking business.

“I have had a most delightful evening Millie,” Leland said at the end of the night. He took her hand holding it a little longer than necessary.

“It was a wonderful day, wasn't it? I'm looking forward to meeting with you on Wednesday afternoon to look through your mother's treasures.”

“I'm not sure I want to wait that long. May I call for you tomorrow for Sunday services? I must admit I'm not a regular parishioner. I find the quiet of a Sunday morning in the bank is the best time to work without interruption. I would like to join you tomorrow though if that would be satisfactory.”

“Yes, of course. I will expect you at 9:15 if that isn't too early.”

He squeezed her hand and resisted kissing her good night.

Millie went to bed with a smile on her face. She was so looking forward to church in the morning.

The Crowley Brothers, along with Emma, Lily, Oscar and Nettie were just finishing tallying the proceeds from the auction and bake sale. They were all astonished that the total received was well over half the amount of their loan with the bank. Emma prepared a deposit slip that would be taken to the bank first thing Monday morning. Oscar locked the money in his strong box for safekeeping.

Everyone was tired but still full of chatter about the events of the day.

“Did you happen to see the cranberry hobnail glassware Mr. Harvey donated? It was exquisite. He has invited us to go through his mother's collection. I can't wait to see them.” said Emma.

“Everyone in town was overly generous in their donations. Isabelle Burke was overwhelmed with the auction. The library had been a part of her life for so long, I know she was very concerned after she heard Mr. Ellis list his proposed changes,” Nettie said.

“Now on to the next project. Sarah Harcourt has agreed to write a play based on her novel, Hannah's Treasure.”

“Won't that be wonderful? I think Robert and Richard should play the parts of the Lane Brothers. Richard, I have heard you perform in front of a jury and you and Robert both are excellent actors. Sarah is trying to convince Charlie Wentworth to play evil Horace Reynolds.”

“That is so out of character for Charlie, he is such a kind man. I think Betsy would be perfect as Hannah though. I wonder who will play the part of Sylvia. I don't know of any one in Camden Corners who could pull off being a floozy.”

“Maybe we could call upon Miss Beverly Mills. You do remember her don't you?”

“Who could forget? She certainly stirred up the stuffier folks of Camden Corners. You know, Lily, that might not be such a bad idea. I'll check with Sarah but I think Beverly might just be willing to help us out. She was such a good sport when she was here.”