The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-24

itself into contest between two players
at most. All tho other great players of
<s1e world under the limitations drawn
are practically barred out. When that
splendid player, George +. Slosson, the
man who has been rightfully called the
Student of Billiards, and who is an expert
at all kinds OF play, wisely rofrained from
entering this tournament, he practically
served notice upon al other players
throughout the world that they had no
show at the balk line game, and they, with
wonderful unanimity, followed his oxam-
pie. The Student stands next TO the Napo-
leon and the Wizard 1t that play, but bis
experience In n former tournament con-
vinced him that he had no chance on earth
to win the need Of victory in the present
series of games with Ives and Schaefer for
adversaries.
In tournament under cushion carom
rules how different IL would bel All the
great players of the world could take part,
and no man would be sure OF victory un-
til tho last battle had been fought, the last
button strung up. Look at this list of men
who would eagerly jump at the chance OF
participating in such tourney Uyes and
Scbaefer, of course, excepted; they have
good thing" at balk line and wish 10
nurse ~ and pick winner II you can:
Vignnux, Plot, GARNER, SlossOn Carter,
Fournil, DAILY, Ives, Schaefer and your
humble servant. All of these play cushion
caroms equally well, and there arc two or
three and possibly more men growing up
who can play pretty nearly rs well as they.
What a redhot tourney that would be,
and what excitement 1t would cause! I
trust the press and public Will demand
such tournament In the interests OF sport
and fair play. III they do, they will break
up the present monopoly or billiard trust
of Ives and Schaefer, for it IS practically
that and nothing else under present condi-
tions, or rather it is "a race OF the Young
Napoleon with himself, with the Wizard
i,s a running mate to force Ives to Eek
Jend' himself, as our English friends
put 1t.
Cushion caroms is the best game for
the players and the public. 1t makes the
former play for all they are worth all the
time, and 1t enables the spectators, even
those at the farthormost ends of tho hall,
to witness the execution Of every shot.
Cushion caroms bring out all the quail
tiles of head and heart player possesses.
He must have an oyo for distance, be an
accurate judge Of forco and have an excel
lent delicacy OF touch. He, too, must have
nerve and courage. Any faltering means
disaster. But in that game the element OF
luck docs not enter as largely as 10 does In
balk line Every shot must be played for,
and no big or heartbreaking flor an oppo-
nent) runs can be mado. Twenty, thirty
or forty shots arc q great run at cushion car.
oms / had tho record at that game--T7
shots-made In n big tournament 10 years
ago, until the Boston tournament. But
even another run like that would not dis
courage gamo player. He could make 1t
up by two or three brilliant coups.
/ would suggest that In tho tournament
mt cushion caroms, " hich feel sure will
occur I'm tho nenr future, 500 instead OF
500 points, rs formerly obtained, bo tho
game played. That would give everybody
chance aud not tire physically weak
players out At 500 points strong men like
Nignaux and Ivos might wear out their
competitors toward the end OF tho week.
Such tournament would only be a con-
test Of endurance, like n six day walk.
am now In bed, laid mp with broken
arm. 1 think have had about "a much
duck" as any man living. have In half
dozen years had both my right and left
arms and legs broken and suffered n frnc-
ture Of the shoulder and also Of the head.
IL is n golden guinea Co n goose, though,
that will bo I'm tho next cushion carOm
tournament II do not break my mock In
my next mishap.