As it happened Joe Taylor did “everlastingly lam the ball,” sending it over left fielder’s head, and June’s reputation as a prophet, as well as his status as Keeper of the Bats, was firmly established. He was back again the next day, good-natured and smiling and anxious to serve, and was welcomed like a long-lost friend. June was never “fresh,” no matter how many opportunities were presented, nor would he accept the footing of equality that was offered him. He picked up the bat hurled aside by the man streaking to first and dropped it neatly in its place in front of the bench, soon knew which bat each player liked best and was ready with it, saw that the water pail was kept filled and, in brief, filled the office of general factotum so well that the question arose of how they had ever got along without him! It was Jim Wheelock who suggested June’s adoption as official club mascot. “No wonder we don’t win more’n half our games,” drawled Jim. “We’ve never had a mascot. Here’s our chance, fellows. That darkey was just created to be a mascot. You can see it written all over him. Here’s where our luck changes.” “We’ll stake him to a uniform,” suggested Joe Taylor, “and take him over to Ludlow Saturday. Guess we’ll have style if nothing else!” June was complacent, even proud. “Fetch along your uniform, Mister Cap’n,” he said. “Only don’ you put no stripes on it, please, sir.” When, however, June learned that he was required to take train with the fellows at two o’clock he was dubious. “Don’ know about that, gen’lemen. You see, I got a mighty ’portant position at the hotel an’ I dunno will my boss let me off.” “We’ll ask him to, June,” replied Taylor. “He’s a regular baseball fan himself and never misses a home game, I guess. He won’t kick. You leave it to us.” “Yes, sir, jus’ as you says. I surely would love to ’company you-all. I reckon Mas’ Wayne won’ have no objection.” “Who? Sloan? What’s he got to say about it, June?” demanded Hal Collins. “He doesn’t own you, does he?” “Don’ nobody _own_ me,” replied June, “but Mas’ Wayne he got the say-so, yes, sir.” So Wayne was called into consultation and gave his permission, and on Saturday, when the team, fourteen strong as to players and half a hundred strong as to “rooters,” left Medfield they took with them one Junius Brutus Bartow Tasker radiantly attired in a bran-new suit of light gray flannel, with a pair of blue stockings and a jaunty cap. The shirt was a great joy to June, for on the left side was a big blue “C” surrounding an Indian’s head. Jim Wheelock told him the Indian was Mr. Chenango, after whom the club was named, and that he had been in his time a celebrated first baseman with the Susquehannock Club of the Passamaquoddy League. How much of that June believed I can’t say, but he certainly was proud of those baseball togs.