human
The fact is, continued Braxton,
gpt
Why, they do appreciate him! cried Mabel, her eyes opening wide with wonder.
human
Mr. McRae thinks nothing's too good for him.
gpt
Nothing's too good except money,
human
They give him plenty of that, too,
gpt
He gets a ripping salary, don't you know, put in Reggie.
human
And he almost doubled it in this last World's Series.
gpt
A man's worth what he can get, returned Braxton.
human
Now, of course, I don't know and perhaps it might be an impertinence for me even to guess what his salary is, but I should say that it isn't a bit more than ten thousand a year.
gpt
Oh, it isn't anything like that,
human
I didn't think the Giants were so niggardly, he remarked, with a touch of contempt.
gpt
It's simply robbery for them to hold his services at such a figure. Mr. Matson could demand vastly more than that.
human
Where? asked Reggie.
gpt
He's under contract with the Giants and they wouldn't let him go to any other club.
human
Why doesn't he go without asking leave?
gpt
But no other club in the big leagues would take him if he broke his contract with the Giants,
human
I've heard there was a new league forming, said Braxton, carelessly.
gpt
Let's see, what is it they call it? The All-Star League. There would be no trouble with Matson's getting an engagement with them. They'd welcome him with open arms.
human
They've already tried to get him,
gpt
Is that so? I suppose they made him a pretty good offer. I've heard they're doing things on a big scale.
human
It was a wonderful offer,
gpt
It certainly was, 'pon honor,
human
Would it be indiscreet to ask the amount?
gpt
I don't think there's any bally secret 'bout it, complied Reggie.
human
They offered him twenty thousand dollars to sign a contract and fifteen thousand dollars a year for a three years' term. Many a bank or railroad president doesn't get that much, don't you know.
gpt
And Matson refused it?
human
How could he help it? replied Mabel.
gpt
His contract with the Giants has two years yet to run.
human
My dear young lady, said Braxton,
gpt
In what way is it so one-sided?
human
Well, just to take one instance, replied Braxton.
gpt
A baseball club may engage a man for a year and yet if it gets tired of its bargain, it can let him go on ten days' notice. That doesn't seem fair, does it?
human
No-o, it doesn't,
gpt
It would be all right, continued Braxton,
human
Not in the legal sense, perhaps,
gpt
Of course, he went on,
human
I wouldn't like to be quoted in this matter, of course, said Braxton, suavely.
gpt
And it might be just as well not to mention to Mr. Matson that I have spoken about it. He might think I was trying to pry into his affairs.