The New York herald., 1879-09-29
ROWELLS RECEPTION.
Exchange Of Courtesies Among the
Rival Pedestrians.
COUNTING UP THE RECEIPTS.
Protracted Meeting Of the Board
OF Managers.

did You haye?' ..Lost any fesh?" "Been out for
walkY'
That was the sort of fusllade to which the little
winner of the Ashley belt was obliged to submit
in the Office OF the Ashland House yesterday
afternoon. He bore it all patiently-almost as
patiently as he had troted the last laps OF the race
behind the long-legged Merritt-and he answered
questions here there when opportunity offered.
Roweu looked thin in the face. everybody remarked
that and one person opined that he must have lost
Iome thirteen pounds in the week OF trial. He said
he didn't know. as he had not weighed himself, but
declared that whatever he had lost in weight
worth speaking Of could be attributed to
The illness of Friday. William Miller. the
giant wrestler. in, like the rest. with
"well. Charley. how You? Lord bless me- how
Vou have fallen away II you hadn't been sick what
. record you would have made!'
81 was ahead of the best Thursday" said the
champion.
RECEPTION DAY.
All the heroes of the tanbark either held levees
Yesterday or attended those their fellow contest
ants. Rowell's was, of course the "swellest. and
al sorts of congratulations were showered
upon him. He is modest naturally,
out no modest could stand all the
glory to which the winner of the Ashley belt is
titled without some impairment of his cardinal vr-
the. He smoking cigar when the HERALD
reporter found him, and with relish which any old
smoker would envy. Dressed in English cut
suit of gray and black diagonal coat. wear
ing Oxford hat and pair Of shoes that appeared
to be about three sizes too large for him. the
British hon that he was had more the air OF
rowing man than pedestrian. You couldn't
any of the plumpness the cute expression of
countenance which he wore with the striped tights
aud bright colored scarf in the crowded Garden.
-"Oh I'm feeling first rate" he said to the
Got NJ IOut nc
without being called had my bath and went out for
,"You didn't feel much inclined for exercise sup
posef"
Yes; took run in the Park. just TOT keep my
keep your feet in rather" suggested q listener.
and Rowell laughed.
"Got any blistersY'
.LsmoY'
''No. except that feel a little pain in my right
s LETT Very nsy as on s
track They are too long-half the turning distance
HIS ILLNESS FRIDAY.
What's What do you suppose was the matter with you
hne trim Thursday night and wouldn't leave the
track till my trainer told me to. Then cautioned
them only to give me three hours for BATH rest and
breakfast for wanted to make the best of my good
condition. don't know what made me sick. but it
where is the belt?'
.oyer at Tiiany's I shall e give floo to Mr..
Astey's agent; then Westons f1O0 will be returned
to him, aud / get the belt. 1t will all be dono
privately. and. think, Tomorrow"
(which do you think of the two challenges that
"What challenger
'o,Leary's and one supposed to be in behalf Of
Psnchot deposited by Mr. Davis"
"Frst I've heard of them.'' said Rowell. looking
why. they were sent in last week for the winner
."wel. they wouldn't talk to me about them while
Twas walking. you know"
"What shall you do with the belt?"
TAX, Take it home to England"
While the above conversation had been going on
the room filled with people vino wanted TO see or
speak with Rowen. AS the reporter left, Rowel
plunged into their midst. where he was patted on
the back, poked under the ribs and bounced around
are supposed to appreciate. He don't know just
when he will return to England. but expects to stay
over to zee the O'Leary walk.
MERRrrr's HOME"
The gaunt but unyielding Merritt had reception.
too but on much quieter scale than the English
victors. He occupied room in the Genham Hotel,
Third avenue and Twenty-fourth street. aud when
the reporter called the place pretty well
pied by his friends. The dressing table Uttered
with flowers that during the, walk adorned
the front Of his tent. huge horseshoe
hung the mirror. surmounted by
the little pink jockey cap which thousands
of people would recognize. Merritt sitting on
hts bed. resting his back against the headboard.
kerchicfs that he is fond of wearing about his
neck while on the track He told the reporter that
"Never felt better after a walk in my life." said
he. Didn't get to bed before Two o'clock and woke
sort of light headed when woke up after six days
walk; but this time I felt refreshed one
ordinarily does after good nights rest. Want my
rscord2 Well, went to u barber and then to break
fast After that cane here and have been receiving
walk about well enough, but don't know where to
60. That's why I'm here. I'll go out o-night."
PROUD
'How your legs and feet?'
''My legs are ali right Look here" and he
pulled his pants above his knee. displaying well
developed calf. Nothing the matter with that leg.
u thcre9' patting it famiary. Tho reporter felt
like the man in Mark Twain's story who .coudnt
see no p'ints about the Caaveras frog that any
better'n any other frog but he looked at
the Bridgeport boys face and there read
the story. Merritt has fair amount of muscle aud
first class stomach, but his chief advantage Tor
such contest as the Ashley walk rests in his indom-
table pluck. You can read it IN his honest steady
unfinching eyes, his sallow cheeks and close-set
lips.
You walked as IL you lame in the right
legY, the reporter said to him.
That's mistake; my left ankle troubled me
some. It's pretty badly swollen. you see, but
It was nothing like that when left the track When
kept walking and my shoes continually. it
couldn't swell didn't feel much pain in it, but
itwould hold out"
Merritt then took Off ono of his stockings and
showed a foot which he said fairly represented it's
mate The toes were all ornamented with chamois
skin to protect the from his Shoes but he de-
clarcd they had not given him much pain. Whether
they did or no it was plain to he would not have
minded thcm much.
How are you satisfied with the contest and its re-
sultsf" the reporter inquired.
"Oh, well enough"
ibid you have any schedule of what you expected
to accomplish before going onp"
"Only such framed in my mind.
soud not have done more than did,"
"You can't beat $50 miIesY'
al don't say that can't do It; think can; but
tcould not have done it last week"
EAzAEL THE LOT.
whats your opinion of Hazael?'
II think lie is the best six-day traveller in the
world. 1 believe he beat Roweu or any of
them"
''why didn't he beat youY'
"TlIat Ican't answer, but he's wonderful runner.
The gait that take up and keep up beats
anything ever The trouble is they can { keep
him tho track long enough He slept six or eight
hours q day."
Before leaving him the reporter asked Merritt
Haven't made IL up yet. Shall stay some time in
New York and then go to bridgeport. I've nothing