The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-09
"Beil'' ignored a Pugilist.


Turning over the stable journalism of
the week, | encountered the old original
sporting newspaper-the parent of all. 1t
is by no means 50 ancient as the old sport
ing magazine which preceded Baily's ex-
cellent work, but is yet entitled to rever-
ence as a forerunner of the marvel just
described. wonder whether the name
of the great and far-seeing man who orig
inaly projected a newspaper for the
stable mind was really Bell, and whether
he led the life described in the columns
of his journal. What manner of man was
Bell, and did he really live in London or
the country? His title is one of the be-
wilderingly bold and comprehensive kind,
for while his pages are filled with coun-
try life, he boldly declares the said life to
be led in London.
1t is not many years since Bell ruled.
the stable, and still more the pugilistic
mind with a rod of iron. The represent
ative Bell not unfrequently filled the post
Of stakeholder, or umpire, or referee, or
whatever it may be, at prize fights, and
was the only person on the ground
Of whom the rufians assem-
bled stood in awe. Only once
was the respect due to Bells repre-
sentative forgotten. A more than usu-
ally blackguardy specimen of pugilist,
acting as second to brother rough fight
ing in the ring not only disputed the de-
cision of Bell, but did there and then
strike his representative.
For moment the whole "ring-side,"
as hear the rufians assembled on such
occasions were collectively called-the
whole ring-side stood aghast; and then
public opinion asserted itself, and thou
sand pairs of biceps swelled to avenge the
insult. But Bells representative said,
"Let the fight go on" and it went on to
the end, by which period the rash man
who had struck him felt sickening hor-
ror creeping on. The furies were already
tugging at his heart-strings, and he sought
everywhere for the injured Bell, who had
gone quietly away, wrapped in his digni-
ty, and what he loved to call his "upper
Benjamin"
Next day the penitent called at the
house of Bell, but too late-the fiat had
gone forth, his doom was sealed. 1t
seems (but this is only dim tradition
enshrined in the unwritten annals of Belly
that his representative, on returning
home after receiving the blow in ques-
ton, laid the matter before his colleagues,
who for long while absolutely refused
to credit the astounding intelligence. 1t
is Just possible that the representative of
Bell would have been consigned to a luna
tic asylum for the rest of his life had not
the blow left tell-tale mouse" as Bell
designates a black eye.
1t was true then, too true; but what
was to be done? There was, Of course,
no precedent, and ingenuity went to
work to devise such a dom for the
offender as should make generations of
pugilists yet unborn to shake in their
fghting-boots. At last Bell spake. The
offender was henceforth dead. No NEIL
ton of his name should occur even as an
advertisement in the great sporting organ
of the day, and it was so. The man was
forgotten in twelvemonth, and vainly
haunted the bars of the sporting public
houses at which it had previously been
his wont to describe himself as "ready"
or "to be heard OF"
Men knew him not. 1t was Of no use
his wanting to fight anybody. No broth
er-pugilist would fight a man whose par
ticipation would prevent Bell from tax
ing the slightest notice of the combat.
He tried sparring at benefits; his name
was always excluded from the list He
tried to get up benefit for himself; the
advertisement was refused. He was dead
as Queen Anne. What became Of him is
not known. 1t is supposed, however,
that he was at last driven to extremities
and went back to work at his calling, for
the world pugilistic knew him no more.
Dr. Bulls Cough Syrup has been before
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