The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-12-29
STOPPING A PRIZE FIGHT.
The Sheriff Makes n Terrible BIui
der fu the Matter.


STOPPING A PRIZE FIGHT.
The sheriff Makes "A Terrible Blum
der in the Matter.
Over in Wilmington one of the churches
recently called clergyman named Rev.
Joseph Striker. In that city, by > most
unfortunate coincidence, there also resides q
prominent prize-fghter named Joseph
Striker, and rumors were afoat few weeks
ago that the latter Joseph was about to en-
gage in contest with Jersey pugilist for
the championship. Our sheriff considered
it his duty to warn Joseph against the pro
posed infraction of the laws, and so he de-
.ermined to call upon the professor of the
art of self-defense. Unhappily inquiring the
way to the pugilist's house somebody mis-
understood the sheriff and sent him to the
residence of the Rev. Mr.. Striker, of whom
he had never heard. When Mr.. Striker en-
tered the room in answer to the summons,
the sheriff said to him, Familiarity:
9 Hello, Joe! How are your
Mr.. Striker was amazed at the address,
but he politely said
Good morning."
Joe" said the sheriff, throwing his leg
lazily over the arm of the chair, !" / came
round here to see you about that mill with
Patsey Dingus, that they're all talking
about. want you to understand that it
can't come of anywheres around here. You
know well enough it's against the law, aud
amt agoing to have it."
"Milll Mill, sir? What on earth do
you mean ~ asked Mr.. Striker, in astonish-
ment. Il do not own any mill, sir.
Against the lawl | do not understand you,
SIR"
g Now, see here, Joe,n said tho sheriff,
biting off piece of tobacco, and looking
very wise, " that won't go down with me-
It's pretty thin, you know. / know we'll
enough that you've put up 81 800 ON that
little affair, and that you've got the whole
thing fixed with Bill Martin for referee.
know you're going down to Pea Patch Is
land to have it out, and I'm not going to
allow it. I'll arrest you as sure MS gun,
II you try it on, now mind me. :"
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
% knew it, said the sheriff, splitting on
the carpet, g and you see I've got this thing
dead to rights. II sha'n't come of; and
I'm doing you favor in blocking the game,
because Patsey'd curl you all up and sicken
you any way if | let you meet him.
know he's the best man, aud you'd just
lose your money and get all bunged mp be-
sides; so you take my advice, now, and
quit. You'll be sorry If you don't"
g do not know what you are referring
to-" said Mr.. Striker. Your remarks are
incomprehensible to me, but your tone is
very offensive, and II you have any busi-
ness with me I'd thank you to state it at
once.n
g joe saia the sheriff, looking at him
with benign smile you play it mighty
we'll. Anybody'd think you were innocent
as lamb. But it won't work, Joseph--it
won't work, tell you. I've got duty to
perform, and I'm going to do il, and ]
pledge you my word if you and Dingus
don't knock off now, I'll grab you and send
you up for ten years as sure as death. I'm
in earnest about il"
What do you mean, sir?" ashed Mr..
Striker, fercely.
Oh, don't go to putting on any airs
about it. Don't you try any strutting be-
fore me-" said the sheriff, or I'll put you
Under bail this very afternoon. Let's see,
how long were you in Jail last timei
Two years, wasn't it9 Well, you go fight.
ing with Dingus, and you'll get ten years
sure"
+" You are certainly crazy exclaimed
Mr.. Striker.
" I don't see what you want to stay at
that business for, anyhow" said the sheriff,
+" Here you are in snug home where you
might live in peace and keep respectable
But no, you must associate with low char.
acters, and go to stripping yourself half
naked, and jumping into ring to get your
nose bloodied, aud your head swelled, and
your body hammered to jelly, and all for
what? Why for championship It's
ridiculous. What good'll it do you if you
are champion Why don't You try to be
honest and decent and let prize-fghting
alone? ~
This is the most extraordinary CONVEX
sation ever listened to-" said Mr.. Striker.
. You evidently take me for -"
g take you for Joe Striker, and If you
keep ON I'll 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 put an end to the whole
thing"
g You seem to imagine that I'm q pugi.
list" said Mr.. Striker. Let me inform
you, sir, that I'm clergyman"
Joe, said the sheriff, shaking his head,
g it's too bad for you to lie in that way--toc
bad indeed"
. But / am clergyman, sir-pastor OF
the church of St. sepulcher. Look. Here
is letter in my pocket addressed to me-"
You don't really mean to say that You
IRE preacher named Joseph Striker ~ ex-
claimed the sheriff, looking scared.
:. Certainly am. Come up stairs, and
I'll show you barrelfnl of my sermons
Well, if this don't beat the very old
Northumberland ~ said the Sheriff. " This
$ just awful? Why, thunder and light
hing l mistook you for Joe Striker, the
don't know how ever-a
,reacherl Insufferable Abraham. what
N ass I've made of myself don't know