The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-31


! fight and no one seems 70 know much Of
/ him"
What are the odds on the hght?" I
asked.
Five 70 one" ne replied and I like
( the small end OF 81. Five 10 one seems
| like good odds on a man 10 man contest
! What do you say 20 my going up 10 have
I a look at Savage2"
It's a good scheme II you have any idea
] Of betting on him. Why not have Ben
there so we will have the inside in case OF
a laydown2 DO you think you are slick
I enough TO spot a game II there IS one?"
/ said, addressing Ben.
Il don't know" replied that individ-
ual, In his soft, innocent way. but II /
am in on the play / might see a thing or
two"
! I smiled and said: You are too good
/ for this life, Benny. You should be a
I cashier ia bank, and keep your eye on
Savage, and II We wager you shall have
a hundred Of it,"
I'm play for that" replied Ben. but
| don't say a word Of my being with Saw
age, or that YOU may back him, and we
may fool them a turn"
Hank and Ben left at noon for Saw
ages training quarters. I returned aud
lsfound the game running at full head and
Lew dealing. A great crowd had come
down on the noon train, and before even
ing l had crap game. two poker Ia
Dies and the faro game, all doing a good
business. watched the play, and was
pleased TO see no one was having run Of
luck, and I felt sure. II the game ran
on an even break, l would be at least
1900 or 5000 ahead by morning There
were a lot Of ranchers playing who were
stuck, and / knew / was in for a long ses-
sion.
1t was noon the next day when Hank
returned and relieved me. / was tired
out and did not stop TO ask him of his
visit to Savage. but was asleep ten min
utes after he took charge. About that
evening he woke me, and said the game
was stiH running-as big as ever
What of Savage?" ! asked.
He will do" replied Hank. "If this
game keeps up we will have a bet on
him. He is a quiet fellow. and says he
viii do all in his power to win. left
Ben with him, and he viii keep US inform
ed If anything happens.
sHank left me, and took a shower-balh
and a rundown, feeling fresh as a daisy
when returned 10 the game. The rush
continued up to the day of the fight
We were well fixed financially, having
cleared $500 on the game. We gave Lew
5000 and after paying all expenses, had
5000 profit to divide
Hank had laid $1,000 on the fight at 5
70 1, and, after talking Il over, we decided
70 bet another $1,000 at the same odds.
That noon we left for Los Angeles. An
the sports accompanied Mason to the city.
de was declared TO be in the mink Of
condition and fit to fight for AS life.
asked him what he thought Of his
chances. Think" he growled, disgust
ediy. don't think; know. will win
IN blooming walk, see? You lust pliInk
yer last blooming sinner on me chances.
Der other mugs money Is a Gift"
smiled as thought of our two thou.
sand' and 1 was beginning to wonder II we
We're not on the wrong lay, when some
one touched my shoulder. turned and
saw Ben. lie motioned me to follow him.
1 uiu SO. When we reached the end Of
the car he sopped.
Don't worry over the brute's CUFF"
ne said, pointing to Mason. TITS brains
against strength in this fight and We
nave the brains. If Savage ever lands
his right ON that chap his name will he
mud And feel sure he will land IL.
1elt assured and started back to ioin
t !i crowd. Ben stopped me and continued:
Don't let on you are backing Savage: IL
might spoil our game" looked at him in
surprise; could not see what difference
II would make in the result OF the fight
VINO l backed. Hank Joined US, and also
ADVISED me to pretend we were backing
Mason, so l returned to my seat uncertain
who really was backing.
Lew was in a pet. He wanted TO wager
ffve thousand on the fight and had only
succeeded In placing FIVE hundred of ii.
But Hank appeased him by telling him he
had better congratulate himself on getting
that down, as We had been unable to Sc
cure bet. noticed Ben go up to Mason
ana whisper, Yep, 1 had my peepers on
him for week and know for sure he has
hurt 1t. He keeps II bandaged all the
time" looked at Ben in wonder irvine,
m inc hfaN a.
We arrived at Los Angeles and drove
straight to the clubhouse. Lew kept oy
the side of his hero. Hank left me with
the crowd and slipped away to get his
money down.
Mason was put to bed to rest till the
fight We all sat around and talked over
the night. There was but one opinion as
to the result. Mason would win in a
canter. No one wanted to bet on Savage.
Ben went to dinner with one of Mason's
| seconds and l went with Lew He was
berating his luck at having so little bet
on the tight. l was half sorry we had bet
so much.
formed me he had placed $500 on Savage
at ITO l. He looked satisfied, so made no
! objection to his action.
The club house was filled to overlooking.
| Men in all ranks of social life were there.
from the millionaire banker to the street
dTdD, VINO btdckeQ MS boots. All were
crowded together to see these two sham
| gladiators knock each other unconscious
for so many dollars. What did it mat
! ter to that mob why they fought2 They
had come to see blood, and it was a wild,
bowling pack of human wolves that greet
! ed the president of the club when he
requested all to please stop smoking
There was a short preliminary bout
| Then the big event was announced, and
the fighters entered the ring.
Having a front seat could get a good
look at them. Mason was the first to en-
| ter the squared circle. He looked power
full enough to fell an OK. and he bore the
air of victor. In a minute Savage fol-
lowed him. He also was trained to the
! hour.
This was the first time had seen our
man. / felt more at ease about our money
| when noticed the tremendous muscular
development of his shoulders. Ben's
right, 1 thought, IL he ever hits Mason
we shall win. The arrangements were
| complete, and referee called time"
The men eyed each othr like cats. Then
like a flash Mason hit his man and got
away without a return Time after time
he repeated it. The crowd cheered as he
| went to his corner and / bade bood-by 10
| our money. Savage was clearly out
| claSgpd The same thing continued v,,,,r,.l