The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-09

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swinghg. ssssias. daAslas. some good
angine, ssvssal pleasant exchanges Of
taps between amateur boxers, and final.
~ the event Of the evening was announe-
I'd - . spaerins bout bctwesn . gentle.
man, Mr.. Richard Mortimer Of Chicago,
and the well known clubman. Harold
o. Westcott.
The audience broke into uproarious
applause. There were stamping, clap
ping of hands and loud calls Of West
oottl WestcottP
As yet MI. Mortimer had not shown
himself. He was in the dressing room
behind the stage. I slowly rose to my
feet and with my topooat over my arm
walked forward. As assembled the steps
at the end the applause became deafen-
ing.
"What hypocrisyi" I unused. "Of the
500 men in this room four-fft would
give Q goodly part Of what they are
worth to see me stretched almost life
less before this brute that has been
brought here for the express purpose Of
half killing me-"
The man who had expressed fervent
wishes for my success and who declared
that he had 500 upon me was obse-
quious in his attentions. He accompa-
MED me to the dressing room, helped
me to shed my outer clothing and to adj
Just the gloves to my hands, repeating
his best wishes and his confidence in
my prowess.
"Who is this Mortimer I asked,
after the strings were tied at my wrists.
"Soms Chicago dude, I believe. He
has been prscticing out there until he
fancies, like every one from the Windy
City, that he knows it all He has come
east to give the New Workers few los
sons, but reckon he'll know more to.
morrow than he does now"
Possibly, though it seems to me
that we ought to have been introduced
before meeting on the stage. However.
let that 60 Where is he?"
In the next room. Would you like to
see him?"
Passing through the door separating
the apartments, I was introduced to
Mr.. Mortimer Of Chicago He was
prodigious brute, mass of rigid mus
Giles, pianolike legs, enormous arms,
bullet head, with fat nose, beadlike
eyes. close cropped hair and a counte-
nance that reminded me Of gorilla.
He nodded with grin that showed his
yellow teeth, but did not speak. Per-
haps he was afraid Of revealing his per-
sonslity by his language
Five minutes later we were intro
duced to the audience from the stage.
Tho applause was tremendous. One in
my position sees much more than Is sus-
pected. could easily read the expectant
looks and knew that nearly every man
there was gloating i'll advance over my
humiliation.
looked at Harold He caught my
eye and nodded. He was the happiest
person in the house, for he knew what
was coming. Possibly I was equally
happy, for felt that it was to be my
pleasure Of bathing mean plot
Mr.. Mortimer evidently looked upon
his task as such dead easy" one that
he felt able to toy with me as cat
does with a mouse. He must keep up
the semblance Of fairness and not be
too rough from the start.
We had spared few minutes, when
be landed lightly on my chest. 1t sent
mo backward couple Of PAGES. for l
was not expecting it.
It was apparent to me that the fellow
was a skilful sparrer, and It was ilnpor-
tant to be On my guard, for, although
my strength was prodigious, I was AZ
vulnerable as ordinary mortals to attack.
II l suffered him to land one Of his
terrific blows. should be laid out. My
only safety, therefore, was in anticipst-
ing him.
Sparrers, like feneers, look straight
into each others eyes. It is fatal mis-
take to do otherwise. We continued
seesawing round each other. landing
q blow now and then, which was not
hard enough to trouble him, while
stopped one OR two ugly thrusts. Sud
denly there was peculiar whistle and
call from several quarters Of the house.
The people were becoming impatient.
They did not wish to wait any longer for
my overthrow.
I saw look Of hidcous devilishness
come into the. gorillalihe face before me-
The brute was gathering himself for the
knockout blow, and while doing 80 an
extraordinary thing took place.
The Western Cyclone was seen to rise
abruptly from the stage and then speed