The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-26
HOW THE SPORTS SPENT THE MORNING
Listening to Music, Watching CoIorsd Boys
Play Knock" and Trying 10 Get Teaets.

Listening to Music, Watching CoIorsd Boys
Play "knoek," and Trying to Get T.eaets.
JACKSONVILLE. Jan. 25.-Nothing could have
been more depressing than the weather this
morning. The rain was descending in tor
rents when the heavy-eyed sports left their
beds. but the dark scuddy earth absorbed the
water as II fell. and tho only places where evil
dence Of the storm was at all permanent were
tho brick sidewalks worn into hills and hollows
by the tread Of millions OF boot heels.
It was cheerful to learn that Gov. Mitchell
had not marched the troops to the Fair
Grounds during the night. and breakfast had
greater charms for the majority than at any
other time during the week. The officials OF
tho Duyal A. c. appeared early upon the
streets. wearing smiling faces and shaking
hands with themselves and giving out other
signs OF Joy.
There was nothing to do In tho morning.
however. but while away the time beneath tho
veranda OF the big hotels. listening to the
music. which is the decided feature Of tho
winter hotel In Florida. Hundreds amused
themselves with the antics OF groups Of dimin-
utive colorsd boys. who SPARED for small
purses subscribed by the onlookers. or diving
into tubs filled with water for nickels. which
they brought up between their lips. The boy
who was most successful at the game was a
squatty youth OF about ten years whose make
up was remarkable. The water rnn from his
oily. round. shiny head, and after shaking
himself like a dog does after crossing a
brook no trace OF his bath remained. He was
finally barred from the game by the other
boys on the plea that his lips were too promi-
nent. and found a natural pouch into which
any shiny stray hlckei couldn't help being al
lured.
Knocking" was another favorite method OF
II Ia m
ring. The champion at this sport was clear.
cut negro VINO showed traces OF white blood.
and who rose 10 the dignity OF the occasion by
stockings He Was a born diplomat and re-
fused to knock" with any boy that was taller
man mo- hisRsT Than dSf MAS his SSiverss sH enc
preston, placing his hand upon his forehead
sS s ny s sSssT saaa !ne
lie was a surprise from the start and he could
spair with either left or right hand on guard
and could hight Nth remRIkaUle qutckness
and ease. He began throwing roAsters into
his opponent and got away almost every time
his head. rushed in like Dull. and got right
handler square on the JAM That ended hos
Aud so it went. Bands OF negro boys sung
and danced. The hours passed away all too
slowly. and Il seemed As though tue time 70
The rain was still falling drearily, but NO ordi-
nary moisture can danipsn the &Tdor OF your
DO confronted AS loEg as there WAS u certainty
that tho light would come OIL NJ the scheduled
Jacksonville. which Is dreary on ordinary
occasions seemed fully Nidv awake by 10
O'Clock. and the very mules on the street cars
and between the shafts OF the carts seemed to
catch the ieEeT epidemic upon such occasions.
One BIG Eray hybrid actually ran away In Bay
street, scattering boxes and packages right
and left as he tore down the street some said
that steve BrOdie in one OF his PINK and white
Uargsd shirts with a thTee-karat yellow dia-
mOnd la It's midst, was responsible Tor the
stampede. col Brodie. however who - luGuri-
ating in an attack OF the govt. sail that this
was a base libel, and that ne spent the entire
morning playing casino with Col. BIZ Harding
for 5000 a game
tickets than that surrounding the Car OF all
the kussiAs The rOoms OF the DuVal A. O.
were besleRsd all the morning with fully
hundred eOrrespOndsnts Of pApeTs from tho
principal cities OF the UDloh Although the
boys wanted to buy their tickets. they could
not be accommodated Manager BoWden said
that Transportation Agent Blase had all the
tickets Tor the neWsPapsr men and would dis.
tribute them at o'clock. That time came aud
no sign Of sir. Blake.
At 10 o clock. when Manager BoWdsn firing
Of the task Of waiting for the arrival Of Blake.
who. By the way. was not too busy a. freight
agent for the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy
Railroad 70 engage 10 the prize nghtinR
business adjourned " room and sold every