Evening star., 1897-03-17


get home again.
The pool room of Corbett & Coleman,
across the street from the Arlington Hotel.
was filled with men this morning, who
were anxious to put their money On the
fight. Outside of the pool room many small
bets were made, with Corbett the favorite
al odds of = to 1. The mass of the sporting
men are with Corbett, many because they
like him, and many because they dislike
Fitzsimmons, and would be pleased to see
his head punched into mincemeat.
The magnificent form shown by Corbett
in his training. and the somewhat erratc
manner in which Fitz has gone through his
work of preparation. but which. it mus; be
confessed, has left him in as good con-
dition as the champion, has also tended
to keep down the amount OF money which
is going in on FitZ.
Al COrbett's Quarters.
Although many of TIE members Of the
camp at Shaw's Springs were up at day
light, rot sound was allowed to disturb
the morning silelce until about Z O'Clock,
when Corbett awoke. The big fighter hur-
ried through his bath and dressed, and
soon entered the parlor of the hotel. where
his trainers and relatives anxiously await
ed him. CHEEKY Good morning, every
body showed his temper to be in sati
factory condition.
How do you feel, Jm?" White anxious
ly inquired.
Fine as silk, Charley old boy; never
better and the champion slapped his
groom on the back with a friendly energy
which almost upset the stout New Yorker.
White led Corbett to a window, where he
carefully looked him over, paying particu-
lar attention to the appearance of his eyes
and questioning him as to how his lungs
and throat felt
You couldn't be in better shape" was
the trainers verdict when the examination
was over. Your wind is perfect, your
eyes clear and you are tit in every way for
the fight Of your life
Corbett declared he had had a splendid
sleep and was greatly rested and refresh
ed. He took turn or two on the hotel
veranda and then had breakfast
Final Conference.
Before o'clock Brady, White Delaney
and Corbett retired to the latter's bed
room for a final conference. White did
most of the talking. prefacing his instruc-
tions with a little oration in which he
pointed out that the "eyes of the world are
on Jm.' and "the supremacy of America
in the prize ring depended on today's bat
tie between an Englishman-born and an
American-born."
Whites fina' instructions consisted al
most entirely of admonitions to keep cool.
He time and time again warned his man
that angry rushes would insure the vic
tory to Fitz.
You must keep your temper, Jim,'' he
said, land not be in too big hurry to pat
that fellow out. Just be cool and careful
every minute you are in front of him. He
Is expecting you to go at him like a bull
at a red blanket, and you must fool him."
Delaney and Brady followed with talk
on similar lines and to all Corbett prom
iSed faithfully to fight carefully and coolly.
lie was warned particularly to look out
for the work at close quarters
The conference closed with mutual ex-
pressions of confidence on the result, and
a rather solemn handshaking all around.
BY this time it was well on toward .
O'Clock, and Corbett began his dressing for
the ring. His ring costume consisted of
his usual white trunks and tight-ftring
shoes, he having decided to fight without
tights despite the cold climate For his
trip to the arena he added the gray check
Geo. Sfler, the Referee.
ed sack suit in which he had done his
training, ami his blue sweater white and
black checked outing cap and gray mixed
bath robe completed his carriage costume,
the robe being thrown around his should
erS.
Confident to the Last.
ut Is too late to talk now." Corbett said
as he stopped for moment before leaving
his room THE time has now come when
Fitzsimmons and 1 can finish our argu-
ment without talking. l don't know how
he feels about it, but am very. good just
now. L am going TO win the fight, and /
am going to win 1t fairly. l have trained
faithfully and have been well handled by
my trainers. My condition is entirely salts
factory to myself and my friends.
FitZ is in good shape, too, am
told. and 1 glad he is, for 1 wish to
win this fight strictly on Its merits l
don't want to do any boastng now. 1 will
do my talking after the fight"
Everybody knows whether the man is
in condition or not" said Charley White,
the head trainer, land you can judge from
that whether 1 am satisfied with my work
When 1 took hold of Jim 1 said 1 would
put him down at the ringside in as good
shape as any man ever fought in, and |
have kept my promise. AS to his winning,
of course, believe he will win. Fitzsim-
mons is great fighter. but Corbett is a
greater one, and today he will prove that
we have not overestimated his ability"
wv hite expresses my sentiments exactly"
said Billy Delaney. I'VE are proud Of the
condition in which We have put our man,
and expect few hours hence to be
proud of the condition in which he has put
Fitzsim mons. for Jim Is going to win.
The numbering, three-seated coach which
for months has done duty in bringing
visitors tn the camp had been drawn UP
before the hotel veranda, the four horses
eager for the start.
IAN ready" said White, and Corbett
ran nimbly down stairs and took his place
on the back seat White, with the collar
Of his red sweater turned up to his ears
followed. and Brady, McVey. Delaney and
Joe Corbett trok the other seats.
Drove to the Arena.
1t was but little after o o'clock when
the long-bearded native who sat in the
box yelled out to his horses. and the drive
to the arena began. carriage containing
Jeffries, Woods and other attaches of the
camp mad already started, and pro-
cession of carriages. carts and mounted
men followed the coach on the two-mile
drive through the little city and out TO