The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-03
RODNEY STONE.
A Reminisc of
the Ring.
By A. CONAN DOYLE.
Copyright. ,'',. BY 4. Conan Dovie.
CHAPTER vI.-coNTISUED.

" may kAAhAe 'N' W NfNhN
down the village street with my magnificent
relative, and to note out of the corner Of my
eye how the folk cam 20 the doors and win.
lows TO see us pass. Champion Harrison was
standing outside the smithy, and he pulled
his cap of when he saw my uncle.
God bless me, sirl Who'd hs' thought Of
seeing you at Friar's Oak. Why, Sir Charles,
IL brings old memories back to look at your
face again."
"Glad 10 see you looking so At. Harrison
said my uncle, running his eyes over him.
''why. with n months training you would be
az good a man as ever. I don't suppose you scale
more than 1917"
''Thirtesn ten, Sir Charles. I'm in my for.
t~y.lrst year, but I am sound in wind and limb,
and II my old woman would have let me on
my promise, I'd ha' had a try with some Of
these young ones before now. hear that
they've got some amazin' good stuff up from
Bristol Of late"
"Yes, the Bristol yellow man has been the
winning color of late. How dye do, Mrs.
Harrison9 I don't suppose you remembe mo-"
She had come out from the house, and I no.
ticed that her worn face-on which some past
terror seemed TO have left its shadow-hardened
into stern lines as she looked at my uncle.
II remember you too well, Sir Charles Ire
CELLS" said she. II trust that you have not
come mere TO- lay u Try W uTh" NY nubDhnu
back into the ways that he has forsaken."
THAT'S the way with her. Sir Charles. I" said
the champion. resting his great hand upon the
woman's shoulNe or. ''She's got my promise and
she holds me to It. There was never a better
nor a harder. working wife. but she Amt what
you'd call n patron Of sport, and that's q fact"
'Sport!' cried the woman, bitterly. "A
fine sport for you, Sir Charles. with your pleas
ant twenty-mile drive into the country, and
your luncheon baeket and your wines. and so
mcrrily back to London in the cool of the even
ing, with n well-fought battle to talk over.
Think of the sport that IL was to me TO sit
through the long hours listening for the wheels
of the chaise which would bring nv man back
20 me. Sometimes he could walk in, and
sometimes he was led in, and sometimes he
was carried IN. and It was only by his clothes
that I could know him."
Come. wife," said the champion. patting
her on the shoulders; I've been cut up in my
time. but never 80 bad as that"
And then TO live for weeks afterward with
the fear that every knock at the door may he
to tell us that the other Is dead. and that my
man may have to stand in the dock and take
his trial for murder"
INC, she hasn't got a sportin' drop in her
veins" said Harrison. "She'd never make a
patron, never! It's Black Baruk's business
that did 1t. when we thought he'd mapped 1t
once too often. Well, she has my promise.
and I'll never sling my hat over the ropes I'M
less she gives me leave"
You'll keep your hat on your head like an
honest. God fearing man, John" said his wife,
turning back into the house.
II wouldn't for the world say anything TO
make you change your resolutions" said my
uncle. "At the same time. II you had wished
TO take a turn at the old snort, l had a good
thing to put In your way"
We'll. it's no use, sir" said the cham pion,
but I'd be glad to hear about It all the same"
They have a very good bit OF stuff at thir-
teen stone down Gloucester way. Wilson is
his name, and they call him Crab on account
OF his style"
Harrison shook his head.
Never heard.of him, SIR"
VERY likely not. for he has never shown IN
the p. r. But they think great thin rs of him
in tho West. and he can hold his own with
either OF the Belchers with the muffiers."
'Sparrin' amt ightin'," said the smith.
II am told that he had the best OF 1t in q by
battle with Noah James Of Cheshire"
There's no gamer man on the list, sir. than
Noah James. the Ruardsman." said Harrison.
II saw him myself fight fifty rounds after his
Jaw had been cracked in:three places. II VIII
son could beat him.. Wilson will go far"
$50 they think in the West, and they mean
to spring him on the London talent Sir Lo-
THAN Hume is-his patron. and. to make a long
story short, he lays me odds that / won't find
a young one Of his weight to meet him. told
him that I had not heard of any good young
ones, but that l had an old one who had not put
his foot into a ring for many years, who would
make his man wish he had never come to Lon
don. Young or old. under go or over 35, you
may bring whom you will at the weight, and I
shall lay two. to ono on Wilson, said he. l
took him In thousands. and here I am"
ut won't do. Sir Charles" said the smith,
his head. There's nothing would
please me better, but you heard for yourself
well, II you won't fight, Harrison. l must
try TO get some promising colt. I'd be glad of
your advice in the matter. BY the way. I take
the chair Mt a supper Of the fancy at the
Wagon and Horses In st. Martins lane next
Friday. I-shall be very glad II you will mako
one Of my guests. Halloa, who's this?" Up
his glass to his eye.
Boy jim had come out from the forge with
hammer in his hand. He had. l remem.
Der. "A gray flannel shirt. which was open at
The neck and turned up at the sleeves. Ny
lncle ran his eyes over tho fine lines of his
figure with the glance Of a con-
'Tha "a my nephew, Sir Charles"
rs he living with your"
His narents are dead"
Has no ever been In London2'
NO. Sir Charles. He's been with me here
'ince he was as high as that hammer"
My uncle turned To Boy Jim.
II hear that you have never been In Lon
said H.. Your uncle is coming up to q
which | am giving TO the fancy next
Would you care TO make one OF us2'
Boy Jim's dark eyes sparkled with pleasure.
II should DO glad to come, SIR"
mo, no, Jim." cried the smith abruptly.
I'm sorry TO gainsay you. lad, hut there are
easons why I'd rather you stayed down here
With your aunt"
Tut, Harrison, let the lad comet cried my
incle.
mo. no, Sir Charles. It's dangerous COM
AMY for n lad OF his mcttle, There's plenty
or him to do when I'm away"
Poor Jim turned away with a clouded brow
nd strobe into the smithy again. For my part
clipped after him 10 try to console HIM, and
o tell him all the wonderful changes which