The Helena independent., 1891-07-24
THE. .SHADOWGRAPHER


agent in Chicago the other evening, found
myself on train arranged especially for 1
delegation of sporting gentlemen bound fol
the Hali-Fitzsimmons fight at Minneapo
lie. The regular had departed aud there
was nothing to do but content myself with {
slower train aud complement Of very
swift travellers. There were gamblers,
bookmakers, priza flghtera and women
OF doubtful propriety. In all an in
terestinc gathering of what ia commonly
known as the sporting class. All conducted
themselves with proper consideration for
the comfort of others and nothing occurred
| to mar the quiet Of nights rest. Among
the travellers were some thirty sports from
New Orleans, who could be easily distin-
guished from their brethren Of other cities.
They were lean and angular while their
faces were long and saffron hued. They
wore bad fitting suits of black, straw hats
and long linen busters. The Chicago men
ON the other hand we're of tho flashy sort.
Their diamonds shone like the
''ights far out at sea" while
their clothes had all the varieRated colors
of Derby winners blanket. They talked
with careless ease about "a thousand on
$780," that big game down at Hankin-
sons, etc., until the few on-professionals
become very tired.
Among the latter in the well-filled smok-
ing room was tall and oonsumptive-look
ing man of perhaps sixty years. He smoked
a corn-cob pipe and his dress and manner
suggested residence in the Dakota wheat
country. He was evidently unaccustomed
to railway travelling, for he constantly
asked the conductor about the probability
of meeting certain trains and what the
chances were of having an accident or two
between Chicago and St. Paul. He also
observed that he would take no chances by
going to bed on one of them blamed sleep
ing oars. While the big money talk was
under way the old gentleman's face was
a curious study. He apparently could not
appreciate the nature of an employment
where a hundred acre crop couldlbe waited
away in flash. He glanced at his old sill
yer watch for the tifty-frst time in an hour
when Andy Bowen, the famous light
weight of New Orleans, joined the party.
The old gentleman leaned over and whis-
in my ear: fright stocky little fellow,
amt hep
He eyed the youngster, perhaps with a
view to securing his services for the farm,
and finally addressed him.
''Seems like I'd seen you before some
where. Mought l ask your manner"
My names Bowen, Andy Bowen" an
swered the light weight with glance of
pride.
"Bowen. I don't reckon you are con-
,r,,A %Io h. 10
,ity. live eight miles from White Earth"
mo, never heard of 'em. live in New
Orleans. You've heard of Bowen the light
weight?'
mo, don't guess I know any Bowens of
New Orleens and l don't know much about
The heft of the White Earth ones.''
A smile passed around the audience here
and the conversation Jagged for moment.
Then the North Dakota man inquired:
II see quite crowd on board. There
hain't an excursion or something of the
kind, is there?'
''No, we are all going over to st. Paul to
see the fight" was the answer from book
maker. 49,. ...,y,.-
"Well it does beat all the way YOU fell
lows will ride to see fight l wouldn't go
round the blacksmith shop to see one.''
But this is big one. ,r.. t.., NJ
well, reckon it won't be bigger,n some /
L've heern tell on at White Earth / mind
,ne night when the two Harrises licked five
swedes at dance. Who's ,in' to ight?"
Hall and Fitzsimmons.'
"Never hearn of 'em. Where be they
.rom?'
"Australia''
''Well, l should think they'd fight to
home. Probably feared of bein' fined.
But say, they must be right mad to come
lere to fight"
But they can make more money here.
They fight for purse of $12, 1000"
"Ge WhM. Wouldn't the Harris boys
,ome here quick if they knew that. I've
'een 'em tit at White Earth fer nothin,
lime and again."
II am afraid the Harris boys wouldn't
lave much of chance with these fellows"
observed the book maker.
"Well, l reckon,' said the old man with
"that either Wes or John Harris
,ould lick either of 'em runnin' ef they can
an lick anything in their own neighbor-
lood. I'll bet my farm on it,
DINNER is ready in the dining car
,elled the white coated darkey waiter and a
,rand rush followed. The old gentleman
luetly produced two sandwiches, dough-
Tut and pint of whiskey and was left to
,njoy his dinner in an exclusive compart-
nent.
~
| happened into an uptown loan office
afternoon in time to watch an
Interesting sale. A young ranchman was
seriously thinking of adding to the further
sdornment of his person by the purchase of
| watch, and the proprietor was showing
With much enthusiasm a gold plated timer
worth about Sl5 He called attention to ,
he finer points of the movement, which he |
!lleged alone was worth "fairty dollars" !
Then he referred to the "shenuine shewels'' |
impossible to duplicate in Montana" |
which is doubtless true and finely be en-
arged all his powers of persuasion on the |
quality and durability of
'tose solid gold blated cases." The pur-
chaser, however, was not altogether satis-
fed. He wanted cases which were light
md sprngy and yet heavy enough for long
wear. After he had made known his wishes
The proprietor fondly held the watch open
before him.
Examine dose cases." he said. "Ex-
anime 'em carefully. Did You efer see
watches so tick dot was SO tn?'