Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-22
VICTORY IN DOUBT.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST WHICH
WAS NEVER ENDED.

Were, Enjoyed Themselves Throughout,
but tho Honorary Referee Deemed tho
Match on Color and So Made Troubic.
Tho question of the identity of the oyster
eating champion of Harlem must remain
in doubt. 1t was not settled at the recent
championship contest, though two candi-
dates very nearly were. Patrick Quinn is
n hearty, broad shouldcred workman. ITo
says that he has been eating oysters for 30
years and that it is n habit that will stay
with him Tvs long as he lives. He eats
them during every month of the year, re.
gardlcss of tho rule that they arc not rs
palatable In the summer ~ in tho winter.
That's oil u bluff, " said Patrick. open
me somo more"
Walter Kelly is the favoritc middle
weight pic eater of the district. lie has
won several medals at his speciality. Tho
two men got into an argument on the
ethics of eating championships.
Amy chump can cat pic" sncercd
Quinn.
ANY idiot can cat oysters" Kelly OBJ
served. Il can do it myself"
ON eat you for the gate money" Quinn
offered.
"In eat you for nothing, Kelly replied
hotly.
After this cannibalistic talk, with blood
In thcir eyes and hunger in their stom-
achs, they repaired to the oyster stand Of
George Nladbuc, u Greek, who has a port
able place OF business, which for the noure
was stationed at one Hundred and Eighty
sixth street and Amsterdam avenue. They
confldcd to him tho 'crms of The contest
and asked Rim to acr IS honorary referee.
GsO.,,. ~ It'll L.. ,,yk1t,Y. lit A.,l.
"You are dead game sports. These oyster
eating matches arc the sporticst things
out, and there ought to be moro of thcm.'
lie began opening the oysters. Kelly
dovourcd his with vinegar, AT which Quinn
snccrcd. why don't you put maple strip
on en- at once" said he, "and show your
ignorance" At the same time he squeezed
some lemon juice on a fat oyster, and hold.
ing tho shell up to his mouth, poured the
oyster down his throat. 1t vanished with
II gurglc google sort o. u noise.
"Why don't you eat the shells too?" in
quircd Kelly sarcastically.
BY this time they had wolfed thrco doz-
en- oysters apiece. An awful thought camo
to the oyster stand manager, NJ. Nladhac,
at that moment.
"Who pays me for thcsc?" he asked, his
voice pale and trembling with suspicion.
Pays youg" shouted Kelly.
did you say Pay you?'" demanded
Quinn.
Yes, that's what l said" the Greek
agreed.
'Ain't he u hog?" asked Kelly, looking
at Quinn in surprised disgust at Vladhac's
greed for wealth.
Never SOW anything like it" Quinn
observed. Then, turning to the poor
Greek, he said: why, you are the hon
ornry referee. You get the honor"
Then the champion oyster eaters made
n dead run for u, followed by the Greek,
who was swearing loud oaths in nervous
Athcninn. He waved his oyster knife in
the air and called upon them to stop and
be slain.
Back the men chased to the oyster stand
to arm themselves with oysters, and the
stand was wrecked. Then they fought
their way TO Ono Hundred and Eighty
seventh street and Amsterdam avenue,
where the main engagement was fought.
Detectives Ruth and Mclaughlin, who
were sleeping near by, were awakened by
the din. They captured the oyster eaters
II their enemy. Champion Quinn had
been cut in the hand. While the detectives
were examining the wound they forgot to
VIZ up htlN all Ailt tTcch, anu lHtsc TWO
ran down the avenue.
Champion Kelly, who, when he is cat
ing oysters, protects himself from fouls"
or interference with Il big revolver, pulled
the revolver and fired Mt the Greek, who
was leading by n lap. The shots were not
effective.
The detectives captured all three and
arraigncd them in the Harlem police
court, where the following fines were in
lictcd;
Honorary Oyster Referee Nladhac, for
having six dozen of his oysters stolen
and rcsenting il. IS %
Champion Oyster Eater Quinn, for steal
ing oysters and fighting the referee. 90. 5 0
Champion Oyster Eater Kelly, for steal
ing oysters, IS, and carrying II pistol, IS 10 oC
"Who pays for my oystcrsS" inquired
the honorary referee. Il didn't start this
thing anyway. What kind Of justice do
you call this?"
"Gct out of hcre!'' said a policeman,
pushing him with a club.-Ncw York
World.