Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-09-16
JOE STRIKER.
Max Adeler has the following:

and rumOrS were aHoat lew Weeke
ago that the latter Joseph was about
to engage in contest with a Jersey
pugilist for the championship. Oul
sheriff considered it his duty to warn
Joseph against the proposed infrae
ton of the laws, so he determined tC
call upon the professor of the art o.
selfdefense. Unhappily, in inquiring
the way to the pugilist's house, some
body misunderstood the sheriff, and
sent him to the residence of the Rev
Mr. Striker, of whom he had never
heard. When Mr.. Striker entered
the room, in answer to the summons
the Sheriff said to him famlliarly:
Hello, 10! How are you?'
Mr.. Striker was amazed at this ad
dress, but politely said:
Good morning
Joe said the Sheriff, throwing his
leg lazily over the arm of the chair
4 came round here to see you about
that mill with Patsy Dingus, that they
are all. talking about. want you tc
understand that it can't come off any
where around here. You know wei
enough it's agin the law and | Amt go
ing to have it,
Mill, mill, sir? Whist on earth dc
you mean?" asked Mr.. Striker in as
constituent, 81 do not own any mill
sir. Against the law. | do not ua
derstand you, sir
Now, see here, Joe,' said the Sber
if, biting off piece of tobacco and
looking very wise, 'that won't &C
down with me. It's pretty thin, yor
know | know well enough that yor
have put up 81, 800 on that little affair
and you've got the whole thing fixeC
with Bill Martin for referee | know
you're going down to Pea Patch Is
land to have it out, and I'm not going
to allow it. III arrest you just AZ
sure as gun, ifyou try it on. Now
mind!'
Really, SIR said the Rev. Mr.. Stri
ker, there must be some mistake
about
ooh, no there isn't; your nnme's
Joe Striker, isn't it?' inquired tho
Sheriff.
My name is Joseph Striker, certain
ly.'
q knew it, said the Sheriff, splitting
on the carpet, and you see I've so
this thing dead to rights. 1t shan
come off, and I'm going to do you {
favor in blocking the game, because
Patsy will curl you all up and sicker
you anyways, if I'd let you meet him
| know he's the best man, and you't
just loose your money and get al
bunged up besides; so you take my
advice now, and quit. You'll be sorry
if you don't.
4 do not know whom you are refer
ing to- said Mr.. Striker. Your re
marks are incomprehensible to me
but your tone is very offensive, an6
if you have any business with me
will thank you very much to state il
at once.
Joe said the Sheriff, looking a
him with benign smile, you play
pretty well. Anybody'd think you az
innocent as a lamb. But it won't
work, Joseph-it won't work, | tel
you. I've got duty to perform, and
I'm going to do it, and | pledge you
my word if you and Dingus knock of
now, III grab you and send you up
for ten years. Pm in dead earnest
about it,
'What do you mean sir!' asked Mr.
Striker, fiercely.
oh don't 90 to putting on any airs
about it. Don't you try any struttin2
before me, or I'll put you under bal
this afternoon. Let's see, how long
were you in jail last time? Two years
wasn't it? Well, you go to fighting
with Dingns' and you'll get ten years
sure
i don't see what you want to stay
at that business for, anyhow, said the
Sheriff. "Here you are in a snug
home where you might live in peace
and keep respectable. But no, yor
must associate with low characters
aud go stripping yourself naked an(
jumping into ring to get your nose
bloodied, and your head jammed, an(
your body hammered to a jelly, an(
all for what? Why, for champion
ship! It's ridiculous. What good'l
it do you if you are champion? VIII,
don't you try to be honest and decent
and let prize-fghters alone?
"This is the most extraordinary Ian
guage | ever listened to-" said Mr.
Striker. You evidently take me TO
a.
4 take you for Joe Striker, and i
You keep on I'll take you to jaill,' sai'
the Sheriff, with emphasis. Now
you tell me who's got those stakes
and who's your trainer, and Til put al
end to the thing
You seem to imagine that | am
pugilist, said Mr. Striker. "Let m
inform you, sir, that | am a clergy
man
Joe, said the Sheriff, shaking hi
head, it's too bad for you to lie tina
| Wd1-bOO DdI, lluSGu.
But am clergyman, sir-pasto
of the church of St. Sepulcher Look
here is a letter that is addressed t
me-
you don't really mean to say tba
you're preacher named JOSEF
Striker exclaimed the Sheriff, lookin
scared.
Certainly am. Come up stair
and l will show you barrelful of m
sermons
'Well, if this don't beat Nebuchad
nozzerr said the Sheriff; this is awfu
Why, l mistook you for Joe Striker
the prize-fghterl What an ass | an
| don't know how to apologize, but
you want to kick me down the iron
steps, just kick away; I'll bear it Xix
an angel
Then the Sheriff withdrew unkick
ed, and Mr.. Striker went up stairs t
finish is Sunday sermon. The Shel