The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-13
The One Time Champion Gets
a Cold Shoulder.
Once Followed by the Crowd-Broke
and Alone Now.
The Usual Wind Up of a Sporting and
Unrestrained Life.

gone and his reputation also he will soon
find out whom his friends are, was never so
clearly proven as last evening when sat
in a we'll known hotel. A certain gentle
man. know Of no other in the world any
better known, entered the hostelry. To
careful observer it was very evident that
he was much under the Influence OF liquor
He was alone. Immediately on entering
he took a seat at a table at which were
seated four or five gentlemen who took
no notice OF him. He remained there for
at least five minutes, and without saying
a word, arose and went TO the next.
Evidently he mad not a cent. From table
TO table he progressed, everywhere
meeting with the same result-the cold
shoulder. This man that have reference
TO was no criminal, no dead beat, no con-
fdence man. He was simply John l.. Sui
livsn. 1t was indeed pitiable sight. Ten
years ago had it been announced through
out the city that the big fellow was
mt certain place, inside OF fifteen
minutes almost everyone who could
would hasten to where he was If only TO
take a look at him, and it is safe to say
better than TO rise from his seat, and in
vite everybody present to take what they
wanted on him. When he had cent
nobody was in need. | watched him last
evening as he strolled from table TO table.
At the further end of the room
sat Tom Early and number OF we'll
known sporting men. 1t may be we'll TO
state here that Early was at one time Sui
livan's friend and hacker. 1t was he who,
when John Sullivan, the strong boy from
Roxbury, first came into prominence by
defeating several local men. offered to
back him against any man in the world.
He managed his career until a few
years ago. Seeing that John was not
recognized at the different tables at which
he stopped, it was with great anticipation
that awaited the time when he would
see Early. 1t came soon, and as he stag
gered to the table, it was very evinent
that Early did not care TO have him
around. So he simply turned his back.
Sullivan stood there for minute thun-
dcrstruck. Ono could see from the ex-
preston on his face that he was cut TO
the quick. There all around him sat men
who in times gone by had worshiped
him. But now, how different. In
moment he turned squarely round, and,
looking at the door for a second, made
bee line for it, and was soon out of sight.
Although / do not side with the Big
Fellow in his disgraceful mode OF living,
nor do think that anybody is TO blame
for the outcome but himself, at the same
time could not avoid my sympathy from
arising in his behalf, when l considered
the fact that had he taken half care of
himself he would today be worth nearly
a million dollars. As it is now, he may be
properly called penniless, and OF no use to
this world. So how true is my opening
sentence.
have it on good authority and, as far
as ! know, it has never appeared in print
before, that "Mysteriousn Billy Smith
and Dick O'Brien will 60 abroad in the
spring under the management OF Jimmy
Kelly, the old-time lightweight, now
one OF the most successful trainers in
the country. Negotiations arc now
under way whereby O'Brien will meet Ted
Pritchard, and Smith Dick Burge. II, per-
chauce, these two affairs cannot be ar
ranged they will tour the other side in
sparring exhibitions. Dick OBrion now
is at Nahsnt training for his coming fight
with Robby Dobbs. lie is in fine condi-
tion and should not find much trouble in
laying low his colored rival.
The Critic Dime fight resulted as | had
fully anticipated in draw. In my last
letter | sized the men up, and gave my
opinion. / stated that if there were a
decision, / felt sure Griho would get it.
was also confident that there would be no
Knockout, for two reasons: that Griffo
is not fighter, but simply
the cleverest boxer, ven
ture TO say, in the world. lie cannot hit
nor can anybody come within gunshot OF
him; secondly, that l felt sure that
although Dime has powerful right, he
would have no chance TO use IL, owing TO
the supreme cleverness of his antagonist.
Articles, read in their usual exasperating
way: II both men are on their feet at the
end Of the contest it shall be declared
draw. This clause should be changed so
that the referee would have the power to
decide according as he saw ii. This
would suit spectators much better.
For instance, take this contest. Griffo had
Dime at his mercy, hitting him whenever
and wherever he wished. lie had a COM
plete wslkover. Still he was credited
with draw. IL Is certain that this