The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-29
THE WRONG FITzG ERALD.

Eject OF n Kumor That tho Handball Cham
pion OF IRELAND Had Arrived In Brooklyn.
Phil Casey. the champion hand ball player. I'M
consciously worked off a joke on about 200 of
his neighbors several days ago. Mr.. Casey's
handball court is at DeGraw and Court streets.
Brooklyn. and every man and boy for n mile
| around Is an enthusiast over the great Irish
game. Whenever any of the crack players come
around to take a whack at Mr.. Casey, or at one
another, the gallery is sure to be packed with
people who are not modest in their criticisms OF
bad plays and go into e~cstacies over good ones.
Mr.. Casey. never having been beaten In any
of his many matches, is, of course, the ~particu-
lar idol OF the frequenters of the place, and any
suggestion that you know anybody who can
beat him is all that is necessary to bring into
sight the entire capital of his admirers. Down
in DeRraw street they'll bet their lives on Casey,
and that Is why the whole neighborhood was
thrown into excitement a month ago when q
cable despatch came from Ireland to the effect
that Fitzgerald. the champion player of Ire
land. would start for America in u few days.
Details that came later brought the news that
Fitzgerald. having vanquished everybody op.
posed to him In his native land, was coming
over to smite the mighty Casey or to be himself
defeated by Americas champion.
Now. Mr.. Casey is a modest man. He played
handball when It had never been heard of be-
fore outside of Ireland. He introduced it into
this country, and. outside of a few men like
Dunn and Carmody. 10 the only player of conse-
There are several Fitzgeralds in these parts.
and 1t SO happens that one OF them Is an init
pion introduced his friend TO handball. but the
one game Mr.. FITZGERALD played was enough for
minutes play. and he then and there registered
a VOW to let bandball alone for the rest OF his
gerald resolved TO 60 down and see his friend
Casey and get a little good exercise.
the corner of Court street, Casey stepped out of
his place and stood talking with a group of
i5s n,Iss, w u s1a he sPi torn his friend ssas eGEniSc down
well! welli" II here isn't Fitzgerald
That was all the group heard. but they saw
Casey give the newcomer a slap on the back and
q shake of the hand. and they made their own
Like a flash It went around the neighborhood
that Fitzgerald had arrived, and was even then
stripping for a practice game with Casey. The
took chances on the roundsman and came up to
see the mighty Irish champion play. The fire.
men men IN m en oib heen tbe sr oeee p eierk kfo on the co 9ng
risked his job and came down. so that. with the
others who came In. they made an audience OF
And all the while Mr.. Fitzgerald was getting
on some swimming trunks and a sweater. in
ignorance of the sensation his arrival had made.
Mr.. Casev was equally ignorant of what had
happened; consequently he was amazed to hear
Fitzgerald walked out on the floor. Then came
comments on FltLgerald,s physical condition
when the player picked up a ball.
Mr.. Casey was dumfounded. Fitzgerald badly
ratified.
lis this a guy on me ~ whispered Fitzgerald,
Hanged II / know" returned Casey.
Fitzgerald threw the ball to the floor. and as
II bounded up again he made n vicious swat at
II with his open hand. or course he MISSED.
That's what all new players do. He wasn't sur
prised; neither was Casey. But the audience
let out a bawl:
Lobster"
Dub! Fakir."
You're a fine champeen. you are!' and re-
Fitzgerald tried again. This time he hit the
ball a terrific whRck, but even before il reached
the wall. the unfortunate novice was dancing
around on one foot, his right hand tightly
clasped In his left, and groans coming from his
compressed lips.
"Ah. we WON'T do n thing to you over here.
FitZ." yelled some one in the gallery. and thick
and fast came tho complimentary remarks.
Fitzgerald was mad. and while he rushed back
to a dressing room Casey, wild with anger, ran
up into the gallery.
What do you ali mean. insulting n friend Of
mine like that ~ he demanded.
"A friend ~ faltercd one Of the firemen.
Yes. a friend ~ roared Casey. what chance
RuyinR him p
Learn II! Why. isn't that Fitzgerald ~ de-
manded a dozen voices at once.
"Certainly that's Mr.. Fitzgerald"
THE Irish champion z"
THE what ?" yelled Casey, light breaking in
Why, the champion that was coming over
"Oh. Lord" groanod Casey. II see it all
now; Champion! No, he's no champion. He's
Ireland will arrive next week"
A of the audience went down stairs
to apologize to Mr.. Fitzgerald, while the rest
other whoit was that started the rumor that
the Irish champion had arrived.