Frank Merriwell's False Friend: An Investment in Human Nature

Yale was in perplexity and distress.

Where was Merriwell?

That question created all the trouble. He had obtained permission to leave a few days on important business, but the “few days” had lengthened into many and still he remained away.

He was needed at Yale, for he had been chosen captain of the baseball-team, and the men were in training for the Easter trip to the South. His absence and the uncertainty of his return seemed to have a most baleful influence upon them, for they failed to turn out with enthusiasm for work in the cage, and they plainly lacked the needed spirit that year after year has led Yale gladiators to stand ready to sacrifice anything and everything, but honor, for the glory of Old Eli.

The coaches were in despair, for never before had they handled such indifferent material. It seemed impossible to find the usual number of new men who took an interest in baseball, and were willing to work with vim and enthusiasm.

The outlook was discouraging. Experienced men shook their heads and looked blue. Was this a relapse after their great victory over Harvard on the gridiron the previous fall?

Among all the new men in the squad only one showed up enough to create general comment, and that one was the black-haired freshman, Dade Morgan.

Having resolved to try for a place on the nine, it was not remarkable that Morgan should attract attention, for at everything he had attempted since entering college he had made himself a marked man. He was a fellow who went at any task with a determination and intensity that would have advanced a poorer subject. Being an athlete, supple, strong, quick, sure-eyed, and confident, it was not singular that he made rapid advancement. It would have been far more singular if he had not.

Morgan had played baseball before coming to college. In fact, he had once captained a very clever amateur team at a summer resort. He was one of those surprisingly versatile fellows who could fill any position. It is a well-known fact that much of the success of a ball-team depends on putting the players into the positions for which they are best adapted, and that it is not often a good first-baseman does equally well on second or third, while a remarkable outfielder may be utterly worthless in the diamond, or vice versa. But Dade could handle grounders, catch flies, cover a base, play behind the bat, even pitch with a certain amount of skill that did not seem lessened in any position.