The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-21

ca peculiar appearance. as we approach .,
WIN its fringe OF men In various poajt,ora
IN clear silhouette against tho IA ii, ,',,.s
SKY. Ihe people outside were quiet ana
weli-behaved A few wJmeu and a., nr,s
gave counfenancc and found INV reserved
seat quite cheerfully situated among
friends. tho newspaper fraternity. The
seating capacity Of the place was not taxed
but still thousands of people were there
An hours wait. with only tho Incidan,
OF the modest entrance OF Mrs Fit.sim-
mons, dressed IN black, with a handsome
seals.ln, proved a sedative, and I Thought
was rot going to feel nervous, but wi,,n
the cheers and shouting announced The
coming OF the combntants found my hear
beating like a trip-hammer.
MIR. FitzsimmonY appeared in n gausv
flannel garment, not at all becoming to Mo
shiny red face. Mr. Corbetts dressing
gown was more modest, in two shades ~
brown. Both men looked smiling and
moved about as II eager for the fray. /
have seen some of my athletic friends MT
on the gloves for fun many times. and
these finely muscled men seemed to he
doing tho same thing.
They snilui as they gave and took tho
blows. which did not look as II intended
to be Vicious. 1t would not have Teen in
any way painful except the knowledge
that one Of them must be hurt badly enough
to be unable to stand up before thew
stopped. My sympathies all went to the
freckledfaced lad when his lip was cut
and the blood flowed over his body. ! was
sorry for his wife, who was seated close
by his corner. because knew she was wild
to comfort him and could not. wondered
that she could stand and see 1t, for in
spite Of all my efforts the excitement was
intense In either. The brutal cries OF
madly excited kill him, Jim" xiii
I'm, do
could be 20 cruel
1t was n wonderfully orderly crowd and
only the intense look on nearly every face
indicated how much these men had AT
stake. They were from all classes evident
ly-tho gentleman. the gentleman sport the
citizen with sporty itclinations and citi-
zen who would not admit that he has such
tastes, tie sedate rancher with his wife
beside him. who came to see circus .
tho toughs. but not so numerous as was
expected. Leaning forward with eyes on
the small square. they present remark
able picture. Apparently some OF them
suffer for every blow that is exchanged
and breathe heavily to assist the cham
pipns.
The three minutes OF fighting seem like
fifteen at times. was so afraid that some
one would be hurt that I dreaded to hear
the gong which called them out from their
corners. But 1t sounded regularly. AS |
was looking inteltly through my opera
glasses. they appeared to mo to be boxing
| as usual. when to my surprise Mr. Corbett
slowly sank to one knee with his head
| upon his left side thought probably he
was taking advantage OF a seconds rest
| but he sunk lower and lower. and the
| crowd upon their feet shut out my view
| 1t did not seem possible that that blow
could be the much talked about knock
out"
Mrs Fitzsimmons handed her HUSBAND
a flag. which he waved. and great shout
went up. The battle was over. and 1t did
not look as If any one had been hurt. ex-
cept for Mr. Fitzsimmons' bleeding lip.
When MIR. Corbett shook the winner
hand his face did not look disturbed. and
there were no marks upon his body to bt
seen. ! was too surprised to be shocked
| for II was all done SO quickly.
| | do not want to see another. but | ar
| no longer Mortified that my kind hearted
! husband liked to witness the scientific en-
| counters. AS We came away was gratifcC
when an Eastern gentleman shook my hand
! End said that he was glad to see ladies
| in tho arena, as II took the edge off and
! helped keep the crowd quiet. had been
| impressed with the subdued character Of
such vast audience. and concluded that
| so many had staked large sums upon the
| result that they had no desire to shout
| at tho entrance to Corbett's dressing room
| | saw him with Mr.. Brady. Both meT
were shedding tears To see strong mer
weep is always pitiful. That scene va.
inexpressibly painful, worse than anything
| in the ring. Eleanor V.