Jack Keefe Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Jack Keefe Stories by Ring Lardner.
Chapter 1
Jack Keefe Stories
A collection of stories following the adventures of Jack Keefe, a baseball player navigating his career, relationships, and military service during World War I.
Chapter 2
A Busher's Letters Home
Jack Keefe writes letters to his friend Al about being sold to the Chicago White Sox, his experiences at spring training, and his interactions with teammates and managers. He expresses confidence in his abilities while struggling with criticism and the challenges of adjusting to the major leagues.
Chapter 3
The Busher Comes Back
Jack Keefe, after being sold to San Francisco, reports to the Coast League, dominates early, and is recalled by the White Sox. He pitches well against top teams, including a win over Walter Johnson, and rekindles his ambition to return to the majors while dealing with romantic disappointments.
Chapter 4
The Busher's Honeymoon
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his marriage to Florrie, the expenses of the wedding and honeymoon, and his financial struggles. He tries to get an advance from Comiskey and asks about taking Florrie to California, but is rebuffed. The chapter covers his domestic life, tensions with his brother-in-law Allen, and his attempts to manage money and gifts.
Chapter 5
A New Busher Breaks In
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his struggles with manager Callahan, a costly fine, and a tense game against Detroit where he faces Joe Hill, Violet's husband. He also recounts being sent to the second team, reuniting with Hazel Carney (now Levy), and reconciling with Florrie, who has returned to live with him at the Allens' flat.
Chapter 6
The Busher's Kid
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his newborn son, little Al, and his experiences as a new father. He describes his joy at the baby's smile, disagreements with Florrie over the baby's care, and tensions with Allen. Jack also discusses his baseball performance, his rivalry with teammates, and his anticipation of Kid Gleason's visit to see the baby.
Chapter 7
The Busher Beats It Hence
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his decision to join the White Sox and Giants world tour after initially planning to go to Bedford with his family. He describes a disappointing game in San Francisco where his arm gave out, and explains how he was persuaded to make the trip by McGraw and Callahan, who claimed President Wilson and the King of Japan insisted on his participation to avoid a war.
Chapter 8
The Busher Abroad
Jack Keefe travels to Japan and other parts of Asia as part of a baseball world tour, encountering cultural differences, language barriers, and a series of misadventures including a nearly stolen lucky scarab. His naivety and self-aggrandizement lead to humorous situations, but he also shows moments of loyalty to his friends and frustration with the unfamiliar customs.
Chapter 9
I
Jack Keefe writes to his friend Al from aboard a ship during a baseball world tour. He describes seasickness, a humorous exchange with Dutch Schaefer about the Pacific Ocean's name, and learning about the International Date Line from Steve Evans. He recounts a baseball game in Tokyo where he pitched despite a sore arm, and manager Callahan arranges to check on Jack's family back home. Jack also details a terrifying storm at sea and a near-attack by a school of sharks, which Steve Evans helps repel by throwing bread to distract them.
Chapter 10
II
Jack writes to Al from the ship, describing the baseball games in Japan and the Philippines, his struggles with the muggy air affecting his pitching, the banquets, the train ride to Kobe, and the cultural sights, all while maintaining his characteristic bravado and excuses.
Chapter 11
III
Jack receives a letter from Florrie, who is jealous and asks for money, and he sends her a check. He considers quitting baseball and the world tour, but McGraw promises him a real present if he wins a game in Brisbane. Jack pitches and beats the White Sox 2-1, feeling triumphant.
Chapter 12
IV
Jack writes from Cairo, Africa, describing the baseball world tour's stop there. He recounts a joke game played on sandy grounds, his interactions with the 'roil tease' (royalties), and a conversation with Steve Evans about buying gifts. He also mentions Sir Thomas Lipton's tea gift, Dutch Schaefer's attempt to fool him about the Red Sea, and his anticipation of returning home to Florrie and little A.
Chapter 13
The Busher's Welcome Home
Jack returns to Chicago expecting to reunite with Florrie and little Al, but finds they have gone to California with the team. He learns of the federal league offer and decides to stay with the White Sox, though he keeps the federal league plan secret. He writes about his experiences on the world tour, including a game in London where he pitches poorly due to a sore arm and blames his teammates' lack of support.
Chapter 14
Call for Mr. Keefe!
Jack Keefe writes to Al about the start of the baseball season, his arm feeling good, and his confidence in the White Sox's chances. He discusses the U.S. declaration of war on Germany, his reluctance to enlist due to family and team obligations, and his registration for the draft. He also describes his wife Florrie's successful new business venture and his frustration with manager Rowland after a poor performance.
Chapter 15
Jack the Kaiser Killer
Jack writes from Camp Grant about his first days in the U.S. Army during World War I. He describes the chaotic departure from Chicago, his struggles with army life—including a sore arm from vaccination, ill-fitting shoes, and exhausting exercises—and his encounters with fellow soldiers, including a man he initially fears is a gunman. He also learns he will get leave to attend a World Series game in Chicago and reflects on his past baseball career.
Chapter 16
Corporal Punishment
Jack Keefe, now a corporal, grapples with the fear of being sent to France as a non-commissioned officer after hearing rumors from Shorty Lahey about the dangers and tortures faced by corporals. He considers giving up his rank to stay at Camp Grant with his family. He attends French lessons to prepare for overseas duty, deals with a fresh recruit who criticizes his grenade-throwing technique, leads trench training exercises with bravado, and reflects on the harsh discipline of another soldier.
Chapter 17
Purls Before Swine
Jack writes about his disappointing leave at home, where his wife Florrie and her friends interrogate him about the war, and he feels unwelcome. He then describes receiving a pair of socks from a Red Cross package with a note from a girl in Texas (Lucy Chase), which leads him to write back despite being married. He also discusses the breakup of his regiment, his plan to enter an officers' training camp, and his decision to quit the football team after a poor practice.
Chapter 18
And Many a Stormy Wind Shall Blow
Jack Keefe writes letters from the ship crossing the Atlantic during World War I, describing his new nickname 'Jack Tar', his immunity to seasickness, his attempt to learn French (which turns out to be German), and a confrontation with officers after he accidentally speaks German to a French officer, leading to an investigation that exposes a prank by Lee and Smith.
Chapter 19
Private Valentine
Jack Keefe writes letters from France describing his experiences as a soldier, including living in a barn, traveling in cattle cars, training in the mud, and his impatience to get to the front. He interacts with a reporter who wants him to write patriotic poems, but Jack dismisses the idea. He also recounts a birthday celebration where several soldiers get drunk on champagne and are punished.
Chapter 20
Strategy and Tragedy
Jack Keefe prepares for a visit from General Pershing, believing his baseball strategies could aid the war effort. He writes down ideas to present to Pershing, while also dealing with a romantic entanglement with a French girl named Ernestine, which he regrets.
Chapter 21
Decorated
Jack writes to Al from France, recounting his mistaken suspicion that a fellow soldier named Geo. Shaffer is a German spy based on a letter with 'x' marks and German text. He reports his findings to Capt. Seeley, who explains the marks are kisses and the German letter is a prank. Jack later confronts Shaffer, leading to a physical altercation where Jack is injured, but he insists he will fight back next time.
Chapter 22
Sammy Boy
Jack Keefe writes to Al from the trenches in France, describing the monotony and discomfort of reserve trench life, the failed patrol mission that resulted in casualties, and his attempts to alleviate boredom by writing to a French woman named Marie Antoinette.
Chapter 23
Simple Simon
Jack writes from the trenches about a gullible soldier named Simple Simon, whom the other soldiers prank by selling him fake souvenirs. Later, Simon goes missing, and Jack grapples with guilt and anger toward the men who tormented him. After returning home to Chicago, Jack reunites with Florrie and meets his newborn daughter, whom they name after her mother.
Chapter 24
The Busher Reenlists
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his decision to leave baseball and pursue a business career, citing his war experience and family responsibilities. He discusses his loyalty to Kid Gleason, who is now a manager, and recounts a failed attempt to get a job at a department store. Ultimately, he reconsiders and decides to rejoin baseball out of friendship and loyalty to Gleason.
Chapter 25
The Battle of Texas
Jack Keefe writes to Al from the train to Texas, complaining about the lack of poker and the scenery. He recounts his arrival at Mineral Wells, his successful opening game pitch against St. Louis, and the surprise visit from Florrie arranged by Kid Gleason. He also describes a practice session where Belden suggests using French words for signs, and his irritation with teammates who question his war stories.
Chapter 26
Along Came Ruth
Jack writes to Al about his marital troubles with Florrie, who runs a beauty parlor with a male partner. After a night away from home, Kid Gleason intervenes, threatening to reveal Jack's past indiscretions to force him back to his family. Jack reluctantly returns home for the sake of the children. Later, in St. Louis, Jack complains about the team's performance and his salary, and Gleason offers him a chance to earn a bonus by beating the Philadelphia club, which Jack does, driving in the only runs himself.
Chapter 27
The Courtship of T. Dorgan
Jack Keefe writes to Al about his new contract with the White Sox, his friendship with Tom Dorgan, and a car trip to Lyons with Florrie, the Dumonts, and Miss Mulvihill. He later learns that Tom Dorgan and Miss Mulvihill are engaged, which he takes with mixed feelings.
Chapter 28
The Busher Pulls a Mays
Jack Keefe, frustrated with manager Kid Gleason's treatment, considers following Carl Mays' example by walking out on the Chicago White Sox. After being caught sneaking off to Atlantic City and being pulled from a game early, Jack's resentment grows. He discusses a potential move with Detroit manager Hughey Jennings, who hints interest but notes the difficulty of a trade. Jack also describes the team's struggles with injuries and a tough pennant race.
Chapter 29
Endnotes
This chapter provides explanatory endnotes for the book, including a note on the exclamation 'Ee-yah!' associated with Detroit Tigers manager Hughey Jennings.
