New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-19
THE GENTJER SEY.

That was fine tribute to the gentler sex on
the part of Mr.. John J.. Sullivan when. in the
course Of his great story Of the Carson tourna-
ment he took occasion to refer to the presence
of Mrs FitZsmmons at the ringsde as one OF
the features of that inspiring spectacle that met
his most cordial approval AS n rule. Mr. Sui
Ivan saws he Is mot in favor of having ladies'
at fights" though "it is natural that they should
admire fighters" Lest IL might be inferred that
this was a self-compacent deduction from his
own experience with the other sex, he instances
George Washington, who was also "a fighter,
land no man was more admired by the ladies
than he was" Concerning Mrs FitZsimmons,
he is free to say that her conduct was ad-
"mirable No woman could have conducted her
"self with greater solcitude." apart from the
"fact that ! should never permit myself to crit
"icise the individual conduct of any lady he
continues. 81 cannot say too much for the good
It did FitZsmmons to have his wife there" Her
cheering words and advice"-as. for instance
when she said: Hit him in the ribs. Keep at
"hlm in the ribs; leave his jaw alone: You can
| "never hurt his jaw"-Mr Sullivan thinks were
Of the greatest encouragement to her heroic hus-
band. lie adds that she "is lady of whom any
man could be proud. and one. as Roscoe Conk-
"ner'" In illustration of the great truth which
he enunclates that anything TO remind YOU Of
"home at a critical moment is great help TO
"most men," he cites an incident in his own
career. during his fight with Mitchell in France
At a time when Mitchell was almost too weak
to run" his second put his head through the
ropes and yelled: "Thinl, Of your wife. Char
'lle: think Of your little babies at home a-cry-
ing. that this "was all lie, for Mtchelrs father
| "ln-law Is rich, and his children could never
| want, but 1t helped Mitchell wonderfully" for
! "in less than minute" that person spiked him
| through the nstep. 1T was only his enthus-
| asm," adds Mr. Sullivan. "but it shows what a
| little touch Of tender feeling will do"
There were other evidences of the softenng
and amelorating influence Of woman at the
| tournament Mrs. FitZsmmons's devotion was
| especially conspicuous throughout the entertain
ment Toward the close she became wildly en-
| thusiastic. "Now go right in and finish him..
| she said Remember that am here and look
| ing at you. Keep punching him in the body"
| 1t was under such inspiration that Mr.. Fltzslm-
mons's enthusiasm was reused and he showed
| as Mr.. Sullivan remarks. "what little touch Of
| tender feeling could do" The soflenng and
| clvilizing influence Of woman has seldom been
| seen to better advantage. How must the words
| of the poet have come back with all their pathos
| and power TO that large and intelligent gathering
| of spectators
Oh, woman! in our hours OF ease
Uncertain, coy and hard 10 please
And variable the shade
BY the light quivering aspen made.
When pain and anguish wiring the brow
ministering angel thou.
There was another burst Of tender feeling
after all was over when Mrs. FltzslmmOns OK
pressed her profound regret that her own mother
Mr. Fizslmmons's molherin-law- not
have lived to witness the cheering spectacle
Answering the heros question. Aren't you proud