The times., 1898-07-25

In the cycle papers and in the cycling
columns of the newspapers that il is a
wonder more people are not more familiar
with his wonderful work awheel, and his
great ability to follow the hottest kind Of
pace He has perhaps been interviewed
by more writers than any other man on
the track, and among the other things
written OF him, the following by 4. G.
Batchelder, the former Handicapped for
New York State an authority on bicy-
cling and a writer of no mean repute on
cycling topics, He writes a geenral re-
view Of the celebrated racer which is
quite interesting. He says:
I'm every line of athletic endeavor there
evolves now and then one who sets at
naught all previous standards of compari-
son, and the calculations Of the experts
who take it upon themselves TO name
champions before their time often 20
amiss in an exasperating manner.
Little Michael. the youngster from
Wales. figures as an unusual quantity in
cycle competition, and space galore has
been utilized in the public prints to ex-
ploit the accomplishments Of this un
doubted marvel of the middle-distance
game. Never weighing much over the
century mark, and far below medium
height, the ease and skill with which the
Welsh Rabbit follows the big pacing
machine mile after mile at less than \
two-minute clip never fails TO cause Won
derment and extract plaudi.s from the
most blase assemblage of spectators.
The personality of the midget is as
much out Of the ordinary off the wheel
as it is on it, and few. indeed, are those
who really become acquainted with Mich
aei. He does not warm up TO everyone.
ana 1t Is only occasionally that he has an
inning OF talkativeness with those who
are with him continually This reticence
Is not due to susceptibility to what is
often designated as ''swelled head for
the Welsh rider still possesses a most
pronounced modesty whenever his
achievements are under discussion. but
comes from the natural Discrimination of
anyone to make friends 'off the reeI''
while in comparatively strange country.
OF course, pardonable suspicion toward
strangers exists in him, and this must
have been accentuated during his first
visit to America, when things were not as
smooth for him as appeared on the sur
| face. Just previous to this had been an
| unpleasant severance of relations with
| the renowned and somewhat notorious
"Choppy' Warburton, who, nevertheless,
/ was a valuable factor in the entree of
| Jimmy into racing. Michael accused
| Warburton of tampering with him DUR
| ing one of his races, and, convinced of
| this, he left the celebrated trainer in
| stantly.
| Probably few newspaper reporters have
| ever encounted more persistent user
/ of the monosyllables Yes. and NO in
| the course of an interview than is this
| same Michael. The only way in which to
| extract anything worth printing from him
| is to put long question, and if his mono
| syllable is favorable, then quote him as
saying what was asked. At rare intervals
| will he express himself freely, but never
in reference to what he has done or ex-
| poets to do. He is also as close-mouthed
| when his opponents are mentioned. Pos
| sessing unlimited confidence in his own
| ability, he contents himself with the SIM
| pie remark that he hopes to be the win
| ner.
The defeat at Philadelphia last year a
| the hands of Starbuck, a rider who ha'
been compelled to run second TO the bo,
| from the other side, was accepted in
! fearful mood, as Michael wanted to com
through the season with a clean slate. A
the same time Michael had no complain
/ to make simply admitting that his riva
had better pacing, and voicing a desir
to have another go with Starbuck befor
the machines were put away for the yeal
Michael lost none of his honors in tn
Willow Grove struggle, and the cause @
the disastrous ending is laid by critics a
the door of the manager, who YVES guilt
of Understanding Starbuck, the latter
work having been gauged by the preced
ing matches in which his showing wa
not up to the standard that had bee
predicted by his enthusiastic friends. Bu
Star perfected himself in pace follow
ing, and at the same time engaged bel
ter lot of crews than he had at eithe
Manhattan Beach or Charles River, III