River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-31
Weston's Secret.
New York Sunday Mercury

lit is now generally believed that Wes-
tons extraordinary feat is the result of a
long-cherished determination on his part
to regain his lost laurels," observed a
well-known wealthy gentleman of sport
ing proclivitles to Mercury representa-
tive. SIN measure 1t is. But there is
more than that in it. I know to an abso
lutte certainty that it is one of the best
laid and carried out plans TO scoop a big
winning that was ever concocted. | dare
not give you names; but will tell you a
story, for the truth of hitch IN its minat-
est details pledge you my honor.
"A friend of mine, club man and a
passionate sportsman, was a heavy hacker
Of OIeary against Rowell in the interna-
tional match at Gillmore's garden. Even
when things looked darkest and most des-
perate for his man he stuck mantully by
him. The consequence was that he came
out the loser of over $4,000. His bets
were private ones in most eases, and eX-
cept for few heavy outside ones, his loss
cs remained unknown to the general
public.
'My friend went to England on bust
ness Immediately after the match He
there met Weston, whom he had known
before. Weston expressed himself warm
ly in regard to Americas losing the belt,
and said: ''If had couple of months
training | believe l could WIN 1T back. >
My friend became convinced of his enthu
siasm that he did not overestimate him.
self, and suggested him to try it. After
some talk Weston agreed to 90 into train
ing at once. Then the idea struck, m
friend to recover his lssses. Previous to
that he had, as he told me himself, been
only actuatcd by a desire to see the belt
returned to America.
"Weston's popularity as walker was
deep in decllue, and the betting in any
match he entered for was sure to be
against him. If he was known to have
been IN training he might be more favora
BILE; but if his preparations were kept Sc
ere. betting men would regulate their In
vestments by his old record. Any one
backing him under these circumstances
could get long odds, and my friend, firm
ly convinced that the veteran walker
could win, determined to indorse his con-
victions His losses on OLeary had SER
ously crippled him. He deliberately and
at no little sacrifice raised $150,000 in
estate IN this city to do so. Every dollar
of this money he applied to the one pur-
pose. The victory of this man meant a
fortune to him or nearly absolute ruin,
and he told Weston so without reserve.
II am putting nearly every cent | own on
you,n he said; ''if you win, half OF what
gain is yours, | only ask two things of
you-one is to keep quiet with your train
ing, the other to do your best"
"Weston did so. No soul outside Of
the plot knew that the ex-champion was
laying himself out for big victory and
fortune by vigorous training. When he
went on his pedestrian tour through Eng
land PEOPLE spoke of it as a showman's
dodge. 1t was really pant of lis prep
aration for the contest on which he and
his hacker rested their hopes. My friend
meanwhile went quietly to work laying
out his $4,000 where 1t would do the
best good. He worked so quietly that
scarcely any one knew what he was
about. Every one thought that Weston
went into the match with no preparatory
training. 1t was not until he began to
sho up in the match that people be-
gan to think that he had been prepar-
ing himself for the task, and to find out
that some one had quietly been put
ting up money on him him all along,
and held nlne-tentLs of the bets laid
against Weston in the race. / don't know
how much the thing has netted him, but
1t is safe to say that the scheme has clear
ed q big profit, there isn't a sporting gen
tleman in London who is not bit to
greater or less extent, for my friend is
hand-in--Ioge with all of them, and had
bets booked with all. He has called
twice with his brother, each time giving
the amounts of his books"
"Half of this money, Of course goes to
Weston!'
My friend has promised it. He Is
well known as man who never breaks
his word"