The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-20

IN a corner opposite to him the seconds
Of Paddy Ryan were vigorously trying
to revive a man who had received one CT
the most severe beatings in the history
q the prize ring up to that period. Ten
years elapsed, and Sullivan tasted all of
the sweets of the champions cup. Then
one fateful night at New Orleans, after
an encounter with a younger and nimbler
man, he was robbed of much of the glory
that had been his, and when he had
partially recovered from the state of I'M
consciousness into which no had been
beaten he staggered to a post by the
side of the ring and said, mournfully:
81 have fought too often. I am glad the
champion of America is still an Ameri-
can
But though the sun Of his prowess set
that night the sun of his popularity has
never dimmed. John L. Sullivan is the
only athlete of modern times who is as
great If not a greater, faVorite after
defeat than he was before. In all the
circle of athletics, amateur or profession
al, there is no man more a public idol
than this deep-voiced, big-chested prodl-
gal fighter, who has thrown away for
tunes to enjoy the pleasures of a few
hours.
ALWAYS WANTED A TAVERN.
During his day he has been ath etc,
fighter, politician, actor, though truth to
tell, not an overwhelming success except
from a money making standpoint In any
of the latter roles. Now he is a Boniface,
An aspiration that was coincident with al
most his first success in the ring, for he
said many years ago to a reporter of the
New York Herald that he should like to
be the proprietor Of a hosiery of some
kind were it not for the great tempta-
ton that came to proprietors to drink
Many persons have believed that John
L. Sullivan was foreign born On the
contrary, he was born at the Highlands,
near Boston, on October 15 1858 During
all his public career, If he has been moth
ing else, he has certainly been a consist
ent American. He is as pa riotic as his
heart is big, and Sullivan's generosity
has always been wi hut limit. He
would give until his purse was as bars
as old Mother Hubbards cupboard.
He was educated at the Boston public
schools He went to Corners Business
college for time, and spent several terms
ed with the Church of the Immaculate
Conception. 1t was here that he learned
the rudiments of elocution, and during
his after life nothing has given him more
satisfaction than that he knew how to
talk in public. In fact, the great fighter
has been more happy over his elocution-
airy a,tainments than over his success IN
the ring.
Sullivan the boy ran away from school
MI hac hon
to work as day laborer the charms of
the diamond often proved too much for
him, and he would quietly take French
leave when there was a ball game in the
neighborhood. One day, while working
for contractor near Boston, he failed
to put in an appearance. He was play
ing hockey on the ball field again The
contractor concluded that the only way
to bring about reform was to ehastise
the young man on his return. He at
tempted to do So The other employees
subsequently picked the contractor out
of a bed of soft earth and SOUGHT tc
restore him to consciousness. Sullivan,
horrcr-stricken, fled from the scene.
Subsequently he returned to beg the
mans pardon. That might be called his
first fight for he was peaceable young
ster, and never attempted to bully his
playmates.
AS he has expressed It, he was wiIline
enough to work when boy, but never
coul0 find work that seemed exactly tc
his liking. After whipping the contractor
he drifted around from one place to an
other, and finally was prevailed upon t.
enter some amateur boxing contests. He
had shown ability in boxing when al
school.
While using the gloves one day vel
known citizen of Boston, who knew g
great deal about the sport, watched him
while and then invited Sullivan to put
on the gloves with him. After the strona
young chap had hit him once or twice ths
boxing expert remarked, as he drew of
the gloves. There are great possibilities
In that young man. He hasn't so much
science as some, but he hits with terrific
force, and 1 do not recall that I have
ever boxed with youngster whose hands
are so heavy as Sullivan's."
Sullivan liked boxing, too. In common
with all young men who feel that thew
are possessed Of much strength, and like
nothing better than to show it, he was
ready to square off whenever there was
little quiet fun In sight. His friends
were almost all athletic and greatly in