an old man, his own relatives and right name were revealed to him.



CHAPTER I

A REVELATION


A group of boys was assembled in an open field to the west of the public
schoolhouse in the town of Crawford. Most of them held hats in their
hands, while two, stationed sixty feet distant from each other, were
"having catch."

Tom Pinkerton, son of Deacon Pinkerton, had just returned from Brooklyn,
and while there had witnessed a match game between two professional
clubs. On his return he proposed that the boys of Crawford should
establish a club, to be known as the Excelsior Club of Crawford, to play
among themselves, and on suitable occasions to challenge clubs belonging
to other villages. This proposal was received with instant approval.

"I move that Tom Pinkerton address the meeting," said one boy.

"Second the motion," said another.

As there was no chairman, James Briggs was appointed to that position,
and put the motion, which was unanimously carried.

Tom Pinkerton, in his own estimation a personage of considerable
importance, came forward in a consequential manner, and commenced as