The Portland daily press., 1882-03-13
A Brutal Contest.
The Smyths' Disgust at a Newspaper
Report.
four Continent.l

four Continent.l
The prize fight between Jones and Brown
was just over, and it was fully reported In the
evening paper. Mr.. Smyth was lying on the
sofa when Mrs. Smyth picked up the journal
for the purpose of glanoing over 1t.
'I see there has been another disgusting
prize fight" said Mrs. Smyth. 'Isn't 1t hor-
rid for two brutes to pound each other In that
way?"
Disgusting" said Mr.. Smyth.
"And it is disgraceful for a,decent paper to
devote so much space to describing it. The
report is to two columns long"
Outrageous" said Mr.. Smyth. "I'll write
to the editor tomorrow protesting against his
sending such stuff into respectable families"
''I would If L were you. [ see that the fight
took place near New Orleaps."
81 heard it was to do so. Does the paper
say who whipped?"
"'There were fifteen rounds. Both men
we're in fine condition, and Jones won the
toss.'"
Doesn't it give the names of the trainers9"
'I don't see them"
'I wonder who they were. I'll look in the
New York Herald in the morning. 1t will
tell"
"'Jones jumped into the ring at 11.30, and
Brown Immediately followed him."
Mrs. Smyth here relapsed into silence, read
SWell, go on" said Mr.. Smyth, sitting half
way up on the sofa. "Who does 1t say
whipped"
"'Bets were freely offered against Jones.
with few takers. Just as the men faced each
other a cry was raised that the Sheriff was COM
ing. whereupon the crowd scat y
"Pshawl" said Mr. Smyth, lying down on
the sofa again. mo fight after all. Pity the
thing was not brought to some conclusion"
"'But,'" continued Mrs. Smyth, reading"
'''it was false alarm, and the combatants be-
gan. After some skirmishing Jones got
Browns head under his arm, and pounded
him until the blood came Horrible! I'd
better not read any more"
7 "Oh, WE'LL" said Mr.. Smyth, sitting up
again. as long as you've gone this far you
might as well keep on. Does it say which OF
them won?"
"'When the second round began Jones
came up fresh, but Brown seemed considers
bly, the worse for the wear. After some wild
hitting on his part Jones knocked him down,
and he was hauled into his corner.
Mr.. Smyth rose from the sofa and came over
and sat on chair by Mrs. Smyth while she
read the description of the succeeding nine
rounds.
At the conclusion OF the eleventh round,
Mrs Smyth observed:
Va
while TO read every line Of it?"
"Not every line; but wouldn't skip much
of it. If the newspapers will thrust these bru-
talities upon us we are almost forced to take
some notice of them. And Jones won the vic
tory did he?'
"'When the twelfth round began Brown
was nearly senseless. He was put upon his
feet by his trainer, but was totally blind, 80
that'-Isn't it awful, Henry?"
''Revolting; and Jones, he came up smiling,
and-go on let's hear the result. Who
whipped"
"'Jones knocked him down again, and as
Brown failed 10 respond when time was called
Jones was declared the victor"
GOOD for Jonesl" exclaimed Mr.. Smyth.
81 knew he'd win," said Mrs. Smyth, with
smile. "But how infamous it all isl'
"A disgrace to civilized country" said Mr..
Smytb, going back to the lounge and stretch
ing himself on it. "There ought to be a law
to forbid newspapers from publishing the loath-
some details of such contests. Let's see, dear,
does the newspaper say whether Jones is going
to give sparring exhibition in this city?"
mo; can't see that it does"
"Ah!" exclaimed Mr.. Smyth; then /
won't have chance to see him."
Then Mrs Smyth resumed her sewing, and
Mr.. Smyth went to sleep.