Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-31

THE FIGHT IN THE COACH HOUSE.
The curt announcement was followed by a
moment of silent surprise, and then by
general shout Of laughter. There might be
argument as to who was the champion at
each weight, but there could be no question
that all the champions of all the weights
were seated round the tables An audacious
challenge which embraced them one and all,
without regard to size or age, could hardly
be regarded otherwise than as a joke, but 1t
was a joke that might be a dear one for the
Joker.
us this genune?" asked my uncle.
"Yes, Sir Charles" answered the landlord.
"The man is waiting below"
Its kid!' cried several OF the fighting
men. Some cove is a-gammonin' us.
Don't you believe it," answered the land
lord. He's a real, slap-up Corinthian by his
dress, and he means what he says, or else |
amt no judge Of a man."
My uncle whispered for a few moments
with the prince of Wales well, gentle
men," said he at last, "the night is still
young, and If any Of you should wish to
chow the company little of your skill, you
could not wish better opportunity
What weight is he, Bill?" asked Jem
Belcher.
He is close onto six foot, and should
put him well.up into the thirteen stone when
he's buifed.7
Heavy metal" cried Jackson. who
takes him on?" ~" 90
They all wanted to- from the limestone
Dutch Sam upward. The air was filed with
their hoarse shouts and their arguments why
each should be the chosen one. To fight
when they were flushed with wine and ripe
fer misehief-above all, to fight before so Sc
lect company, with the prince himself by
the ringsidc-was chance which did not
often come In their way. Only Jackson, Bel
cher, Mendoza and one or two others Uf the
sober and more famous men remained silent,
thinking it beneath their dignity that they
should condescend to so irregular a bye
battle.
well, you can't all fight him." remarked
Jackson, when the babel had died away.
ITS fer the chairman to choose"
Perhaps your royal highness has prefer
ence," said my uncle.
"By -, I'd take him on myself If my po-
stion was different to what it is said the
prince whose face was growing redder and
his eyes more glazed You've seen me with
the mufflers Jackson! Ycu know my form!''
1--WE seen your royal highness, and I've
felt your royal bighness," said the courtly
Jackson.
perhaps Jem Belcher would give US an
exhibition said my uncle.
Belcher smiled, and shock his handsome
head.
There's my brother Tom here. who has
never been blooded in London. sir. He
might make fairer match Of it,"
"Give 'em over to me-" roared Joe Berks.
"I've been wnitih' for turn all evening,
an III fight any man that tries to take my
place. Els my meat, my masters. Leave
em to me is you want to see how a calf S
head should be dressed. If you put Tom
Belcher before me I'll fight Tom Belcher,
and for that matter IN fight Jem Belcher,
or Bill Belcher. or any other Belcher that
ever came out Of Bristol
1t was clear that Berks had got to the
stage when he must fight some one. His
heavy face was gorged and the veins stood
out on his low forehead VIII lie his fierce
gray eyes looked viCiously from man to man
in quest of n quarrel. His great red hands
were punched into huge gnarled fists, and
he shCok one of them menacingly as mis-
drunken gaze swept round the tables.
IL think you'll agree with me-, gentlemen,
that Joe Berks would be all the better for
some fresh air and exercise" said my uncle.
with the concurrence of his royal highneSs
and of the company, shall select him as our
champion on this occasion"
"You do me proud" cried the fellow, stag
gerlng to his feet and pulling at his cCat.
may | never see Shropshire again"
"Wait a bit, Bcrks." cried several of the
amateurs. where's il going to be held?'
Where you like, masters. I'll fight I'm
In a sawpit or on the outside Of coach,
If it please you. Put us toe to toe. and
leave the rest with me-"
"They cant fight here with all this litter,
said my uncle. where shall it he?"
'Pon my soul Tregell!s," cried the
prince II think our unknown friend might
have word to say upon that matter.
He'll be vastly i'll used II you don't let
him have his own choice Of conditions"
You are right, sir. We must have him
uD."
"Thats easy enough" said the landlord,