The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-23
HOBSON'S NEW ROLE.
The Champion Rnpid-Fire Kisser OF
the Continent.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

night tried TO dodge his oSculatory main
and secondary batteries and fighting tops
but Hobson, with the advantage of prac-
tice and his skill at collar and elbow
wrestling. managed to kiss pretty nearly
The number is not accurately known OF
those VINO volunteered to be kissed who
didn't seem to care whether they were
kissed, who didn't want to be kissed even
by Hobson, but who were kissed anyway
and of those who resisted being kissed
and We're not kissed until after they had
lost a wrestling bout with the great naval
and national kisser. II is variously esti-
mated at from $50 to 175, but the figures
of Sergt. Prendergast, who had charge OF
the police detail on duty a the eXtFaordi-
nary kissing event, says one of his men
counted 1853 young women who were kissed
by Lieut.. Richmond Pearson Hobson,
United States Navy. sinker of the Merri-
mac, raiser of the Maria Teresa, hero,
lecturer and kisser.
Osteusibly 1t was to lecture that Lieut.
Hobson came to Chicago and incidentally
he did that, but it was at kissing, plain
and fancy, strange holds and half-Nelson
holds not barred, that he contributed most
to the entertainment of those who went
osity At the close of the kissing event
which took place on the stage of the
Auditorium after the completion of the
programme, Hobson said he was not tired.
Some of the girls he kissed looked tired
while others looked supremacy happy
During this unheralded event. which had
grown TO such great proportions that il
eclipsed all that had preceded it, the men
in the audience who had not come accom-
panied by women, stood around and YELL
ed and laughed and "a-ahd" and counted
the objects of Hobsons clutches and car
resses. A battalion of naval reserves who
had occupied seats on the stage, did what
they could 10 turn the kissing section OF
the evenings entertainment into an up
roarious good time.
What was the most striking thing about
this most startling part of the Hobsor
itinerary In Chicago was the agility ano
strength shown by some of The kissed
young women in their struggles to he not
kissed. But the osculator of the Merri-
mac has a pair of arms like those of the
somewhat famous but never publicly kiss
ed Robert Fitzs!mmons. His reach is long
and the heft of beam of his arms is great
He is also like Fitzsimmons in the fact
that he is agile, and with his long, heavy
prehensile arms he managed to kiss many
a girl who probably did not want TO be
kissed, who, at any rate, gave him good
long tussle before he managed to get his
heavy mustache on her Qu!vering cherry
lips.
Several of the girls who had gone into
the line with their fathers and mothers
and sweethearts to shake hands with this
man who had sunk the good ship Merri-
mac in Santiago harbor succeeded in get
ling away flom his embraces and in es-
Gaping from the line unkissed. Some 'ol
them who passed in review and shook
hands with him were not sought of their
kisses. MIR. Hobson studiously avoided
kissing old women, and whenever he
could help il, without seeming to be play
ing favortes, he did not kiss any battle
axes"
The jack tars of the naval reserve kept
a sharp lookout for the battle axes. -
They were perched on chairs all around
Hobson so that most of them could see
the faces of the women as they came in
fine before the hero.
"There comes a battle AK" cried a
young tar, as a woman with a plain, old
fashioned face approached. Il wonder il
hen kiss her"
A great laugh followed the ungallant re-
mark of the needless young sailor The
woman described a ; a battle ak" paused
when she felt her hand in Hobson's hand
She hesitated The crowd set up a cheer
1t was apparent she was medilaling some
thing. Hobson too hesitated. She tipped
up her face to his. 1t was a rather chilly
looking, hand-p1inted face. The jack tars
yeEed. Probably remembering he was still
a hero Hohson kissed her. He was APP
plauded for that
Later, and when nearly 90 had been
kissed. some because they wanted to. 9th
ers because they didn't mind it. and others
because they couldn't help themselves, d
beautiful young gir,. accompanied by heI
father. came along in the line. She may
have been H. She was tail, willowy, fair
and shy. Her father wore side whiskers
with bear grease in them.
This is my daughter, who wants to kiss
you" said the father.
why, certainly" said Hobson, as he
put the strange hold on the girl.
She was why as well as wiflowy, and she
broke his hold. Then he tried the half
Nelson hold on her. It.looked as if she
would lose the bout. and the SACK tars
yelled TO her to keep up her courage.
Amt she putting up dead game
hght?" cried one enthusiastic tar.
Two to one she wins" cried another. as
she threw her right elbow under Hobson S
chin and got free from his half Nelson
hold.
Time, cried another sailor boy
Neither rested at the call of time. The
girl was flushed and perspiring and Hob
son was breathing hard. She made feini
with her aeft as if she would throw hook
on the point Of his chin and then ducked.
She was not quick enough and Hobson
got a collar hold It was her fur boa and
il came off in the hand of the hero and The
girl got her head back. Her sauciy shap-
ed feather bonnet was knocked TO one
side OF her mead and she seemed TO be
pretty well out OF breath, but she was
good for another bout.
why don't you upper-out hm?" cried
out . tar ia wild excitement.
This amt no smuggling match, It's a
Wrestling bout" said a wiser sailor lad
Then trip him. exclaimed the corrected
youth.
~ she was Irish she'd give him the
back-hccl.' said "a policeman who mad for
gotten al about the crowds in his intense
interest In abe contest
For moment tho girl and che kisser