“Oh, we can word the bulletin in such a way as to avoid all chance of giving offense. We can say ‘the following are particularly invited to compete for the vacant positions on the University nine,’ and then we can insert a phrase something to the effect that ‘others wishing to enter as competitors will please make known their purpose to the captain.’ Putting it in that way will serve as a gentle hint to others that those on the list are preferred. The college understands the matter, I think. The fellows know that we are not trying to make a close corporation of it, but only aim to make it easier for those who stand a fair show to be chosen. Last year, as everybody remembers, a great deal of money and time was wasted on a shoal of men who stood no chance of getting on the nine at all, and who knew it too, only they wanted to get the advantage of our training and practice. This plan of mine is merely a polite way of hinting to such outsiders that they must get their exercise some other way than by interfering with the practice of the men who really mean business――and I think the hint will be appreciated by the college at large.” “I hope so,” commented Tony, as he thought of the low condition of the treasury, “for we have not enough money to meet the necessary expenses of the nine. I’m going to start that subscription list early Monday morning.” “Well, perhaps you will feel better, Tony, after the Glee Club Concert,” answered Ray with a smile. “I think that will set us on our feet again――and now take your pencils and make up your lists.” Then he handed us each a sheet of paper. There was a silence for several moments only broken by the scratching of pen and pencils. At length we finished, and laying our lists upon the desk, we set to work comparing them. It soon became evident that our views coincided very closely, and the final result of our examination showed that we had all three agreed upon twenty-two names. These men were all good players who had shown their proficiency in the class games of the fall previous, and several of them were sure of places on the University nine. “Well, let it stand then at twenty two, since we have agreed on that number,” said Ray, “and now let me draw up a form for the bulletin, and then see what you think of it.” Ray wrote busily for some time. “We must be prompt, you know,” he said, as he finished, “for we must choose the nine just before the Easter vacation, so I have requested competitors to be at the ball ground Monday noon in order that we can begin practice at once.” Ray then read us what he had written. Several changes were made, and the matter rewritten several times before it was in a shape satisfactory to us all. When finally completed, Ray handed the sheet of paper to Tony. “There,” he said, “will you make two clean copies of that, Tony, and have them posted up the first thing Monday morning?”