The San Francisco call., 1896-07-01

dens to view the process by which they
acquire the muscle, agility and science to
battle for purse and reputation in the ring.
1t was early in the afternoon when the
party started for Barney Fsrlev's training
quarters, where mysterious" Billy Smith
is in training for his contest with Billy
Gallagher. Mitchell acted as the Jehu of
the trip and Billy Daily sat directly behind
him, where he remarked he could keep
good watch to see that no electric-cars
were deralled.
When Farley's was reached a motley
throng was in waiting. There were large
men, small mel, sports attired in sweaters
of rainbow hue, bicyclists who had strug-
gled over the sandy hills to get glimpse
of the champion welter- weight at home,
pugilists full of admiration at the great
form in which they found their brother in
the profession. and last but not least old
Barney Farley himself.
After all hands had partaken of the
hospitality OF the house they segregated
into groups and fell to discussing the
merits of the fistic carnival slated for
Thursday night, and the late little set-to be-
tween "Sailor" Sharkey and Jim Corbett.
It's worthy OF remark that in the VIII ole
assembiage there was not one man but
that was imbued with the idea that the
lines of the champions life had led into
thorny places, and that he had initiated
the foolish virgins in neglecting to keep
his lamp filled and polished.
They are all against Corbett these men
of the sporting fraternity. Even a tyro
could see this. 1t showed in the tone OF
contempt with which his name was
mentioned. 1t manifested itself in the
mocking laughter with which each joke at
his expense was greeted. And then, when
some person, ii anything more heavily
charged with indignation than the rest,
would lift up his voice and make audible
demonstrations of the same, how the
frightened air would quiver with exple-
tives and anathema.
II don't want to throw water on q
drowned rat" said old Barney Farley,
''but there are a few things concerning
Corbett that l believe it nv dutv to draw
attention 10. Here lately he has made
some statements against McAuliffe and
Choynski that are as false as they are un-
called for. His language, too, was such as
nogentieman would care to use
sMcAuliffe has been whipped, 1 am
willing to admit, but il was by men who
are generally regarded as experts in their
line. He has never yet shirked fight.
That is something James j. Corbett, ex-
champion of the world. cannot say. You
may give 1t as my belief that Corbett de-
hberately sought to avoid Fitzsimmons at
Hot Springs, Arkansas, and sent that let
ter signed Citizen" protesting against
the fight as disgrace to a civilized conn
try, that got him under arrest.
Take John L. Sullivan, that poor old
physical wreck whom ne bested. Did you
ever hear OF his getting arrested before a
fight? Niti John always fought and was
arrested afterward.
"After the sharkey Williams contest 1
proclaimed that Joe McAuliffe could thrash
Corbett in ten rounds. You doubtless re-
member that the latter didn't Jump at the
offer, as it was expected he would. NY
friends came to me and said 1 was making
rash prophecies and was away off in my
little talk, but here lately they have come
to me and said they guessed knew what /
| was doing. Yes, sir; l haven't been in
this business forty-six years for nothing.
1.-THE cham pionship has been in the last
stages of consumption ever since Corbett