Every year about this time there would be quite a gathering at the University of old Lowell graduates. They came to see the team work, in one or two games and in practice, and once each year the graduates would make up a nine of the old timers who had come, and challenge the new Varsity to a game. It was one of the traditions of the University that the old graduates’ team always won this game, notwithstanding their stiff knees, and other joints, to say nothing of their poor throwing arms. The occasion was more of a reunion than anything else, generally. Yet at the same time the old fellows were often able to give valuable pointers to the new team, and, on the whole, aside from the fun of the occasion, and the good it did the youngsters, it served to bring the sons of Lowell more closely together. Of course, the occasion was always too good a one to be missed by the practical jokers, and the old graduates, with the aid of some of the Juniors and Seniors, always picked out the good-natured young freshmen, to play these jokes upon. In the meantime the fact that these practical jokes were played was carefully withheld from them. The evening before the game, the graduates had announced the team which would play next day. 1st Base Ollie Taboo 2nd Base Johnny McGrew 3rd Base Jimmy Cullins Shortstop Bill Fahlen Right Field Mike Donil Left Field James McKleer Center Field Fielder James Pitchers Joe Maginte Jack Cheeseborough Catcher Jim Maquire All of them were old time stars at Lowell, and though out of the game were never forgotten by the boys at school, because they each had a sure place in the Lowell Hall of Heroes. The youngsters were all on hand to see them and hear again the stories of their remarkable playing. On this occasion there was always a “fanning bee,” as the boys call it, and reviews of Lowell victories of the past. As Hal was on his way home alone that night, having stayed around longer than Hans, he heard some one following close behind him, and after he had gone a couple of blocks someone touched him on the shoulder and said, “Hello, Case, what’s the hurry?” Turning round he saw that it was Johnny McGrew, the old timer who was a great second baseman and who was on the team which would play the next day. After they had walked a little way, McGrew suddenly said: “Case, I want you to do something for me. We old fellows are no match for the wonders, including yourself, which Hughie has on the Varsity this year, and we’ve just got to win to keep up the old team’s reputation. You just write down the signals which Hughie uses, and that will enable us to lick the spots off you. Nobody will know about it, and I’ll see that you get a hundred and twenty-five dollars for it.” Naturally Hal became very indignant, and proceeded to show it by preparing to fight.