Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-08-20
The Rev. Jos. Striker.
IT WASN'T THE RIGHT MAN.

Over in ". one of the churches recently
called a clergyman named Jos. Striker. In
that city, by most unfortunate cOincld-
euce, there also resides a prominent prize
fighter named Jos. Striker, and rumors
were af jat few days ago that the latter
Joseph was about to engage in a contest
with Jersey pngili-t for the champion
ship. Our sheriff considered it his duty to
warn Joseph against the proposed lnfrac-
tiOn OF the laws, and 50 he determined to
call upon the professor of the art OF sell
defence. Unhappily, in inquiring his
way to the pugllIst's house, somebody
misunderstood the sheriff, and sent him to
the residence OF the Rev. JOS Striker. of
whom he had never heard When Mr..
Striker entered the room in answer TO the
summons the sher fl said to him, iamiliarly ::
"HelIo Joe? How are you?''
Mr.. Striker was amazed at his address,
bat nc politely said
Good morning
Joe, said the sheriff, throwing his leg
l6zlly over the arm OF the chair, " came
around here to see you about that mill with
Patsy Dugus, that they re all talking
about. | want You 10 understand that 1t
can 4 come off anywhere around here. You
know well enough it's against the law, and
/ amt agoing to have it.
"Miui Mil, sir? What on earth do
you mean ?' asked Mr.. Striker, in astonish-
ment. Il do not own any mill, sir.
Against the law do not understand you,
sir.
Now see here, joe" said the sheriff,
biting ufi piece of tobacco and looking
very wise, THAT won't 90 down with me.
Ii pretty thin, yuu know | know well
enough that you've up 81 coo on that lit
tie affair, and that you have got the whole
thing fixed with Bill Martin Tor referee |
know You re going down to Pea Island to
have it out, and IN not going 10 allow it.
I'll arrest you as sure as a gun il you try it
on. now mind me. y
Really, sir" said Mr.. Striker, there
must be some mistake about
"Oh, no. there isn't; your names Joe
Striker, isn't It?' asked the sheriff
My name Is Joseph Striker. certainly"
Il knew 1t, said the sheriff. splitting on
the carpet, ''aud you see | have got this
thing dead to rights. 1t shant come of,
and I'm doing vou favor in blocking the
game because Patsey q curl you all up and
sicken you anyway, If let You meet him
| know he's the best man. and you'd just
lose your money and get all bunged up be-
sides; 50 You take my advice, now, and
quit. loa'll BE- sorry If you don't"
Il do not know what you are referring
to, said Mr. Striker. Your remarks
are incomprehensibie to me. but you- tone
i very offensive, and if you have any bus
ine-s with me Ia thank YOU to state it at
once"
"Joe, " said the sheriff, looking at him
with "a benign smile. you play it pretty
well. Anybody d think you were innocent
as lamb. But il Won work, Joseph 1t
won't work. tell you. I've got a duty to
perform, and N going to do it, and |
pledge you nv word, if You and Dingus
don knock otf now, I'll grab you and send
you up for ten years a. sure OF death. I'm
IN earnest about it.
"What DO you mean, SIR" asked Mr..
Striker. fsrcc.y.
20, don't you be putting on any airs
about It. Don't you try any strut,ing be
fore me, " said the sheriff, "or I'll put you
under bail this very forenoon. Let's see.
how long were you IN Jail the last time2
Two years. w4sn it, Well. you 60 fight
ing with Dingus and you Il get ten years,
sure ,'
You are certainly crazy ' exclaimed
Mr.. Striker.
Il don't sec what you want to stay at
that business for, anyhow" said the sher-
if. Here you are, Ia q snug home, where
You might live IN peace, and keep reSpecta-
bic. But, no. You must associate with low
characters, and 20 u stripping yourself
naked. and jumping into ring to get your
nose bloodIed and your head swelled, and
Your body hammered to jelly, and all
Tor what? Why don't you try to be honest
and decent, and let prIl fighting alone? ?'
This is the most extraordinary CONVEX
sliiou | ever listened 10, said NJ Striker
You evidently take me for a.
Il take You for Joe Striker, and if YOU
keep on, Il take you to Jail. SAID the
sheriff, with emphasis. Now You tell me
who's got those stakes. and who's your
trainer. and I'll pat an end TO the whole |
thing
You seem to imagine that am pugil-
ist, said Mr. Striker. Let me inform
You, sir, thaL am a Clergyman.
Joe, said the sheriff, shaking his |
head, "it's too bad for you to lie tlat way
too bad, indeci."
" But an a clergyman. sir-pastor of |
the Church OF St. Sepulcbre. Look here |
Is letter in my pocket addressed to me-
Auu don really mean to say that You re |
a preacher named Joseph Striker?' ex- !
exclaimed the sheriff, looking scared
''Ccrialn.y | am. Come up stairs and /.
I'll show you barrelul Of nv sermons"
"Well, If this don't beat Nebuchadnez- |
zer ~ said the sher Il; "thiS l. awful Why, !
| misto5k you Tor Joe Striker, the prize |
ishtor | don't know how | ever-a |
preacher What an ass I've made Of NY |
self don't know how 10 apologize, but |
II you want 10 kick me down the front |
steps. Just kick away; II bear it Ike an
ang,li'
Then the shcr 4 withdrew unkicked, and ,
Mr.. Striker went up STAIRS to finish his Snn-
day sermon. The sheriff talked Of resign
ing, but he continues to hold on.