Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-08-26
WAYFARER'S NOTEBOOK
Fatiies Try to Sprint

race mas been on in BrandyWine Springs
Park, the fever has returned to many of
the has been sprinters, and arguments as
10 ability are not infrequent. On Post
Office avenue better known as Shipley
street, the other night the Wayfarer was
a witness &c one of these arguments that
had an amusing as well as a disastrous
finale
The participants were two well-knovn
business men. One of them timed the
lscales at 2i2l pounds. and was AZ years
old. while The other weighed 220 pounds
and was about the same age.
Both men had been noted athletes in
their youth and feared neither man nor
beast, either in friendly bout or rough
and tumble fight. In those days the men
were in fine physical condition and not so
fat and habby.
The argument began OH sprint.ng H.
general but finished on The qualifications
OF each -ther, and the si,{ p0nn,lar clal-
lenged his fat friend 10 meet him in a 90
as-you-please race either for one or seven
days.
Inc challenge was accepted aud Tho
course chosen was on a smooth cement
pack yard which in a triangular course
would give track of 70 feet IN length.
several well-known business men were
CHOSEN as judges and the wagers were put
up.
One two, hold on there fatty" said
the starter as the 242a pound racer moved
of before the third clap of the hands.
mere was an argument. but the Judges
settled the points by stretching a startin.,
Wife. The sprniers again wera placed in
tflt
wo, three, go"
Ihey did go and two fat forms surged,
rolled and groancd along until the first
iurn was reached. Their mwoildly bodies
refused TO respond to the helm and in
stead of turning the corner both racers
ran into a brick building in the back of
the yard. One of them bruised his shout
uer while the other man went him one
netter by putting on brakes just in time
TO save the building from destruction
There was more trouble over getting
fhe men started. but both OF them in
sisted on removing their shoes and as
much of their clothing as decency would
allow. 1t was hard ON the judges.
The next attempt to round the track
resulted in collision of the bulky sprin:-
G rs at the second turn. II was mighty
shock when they came together and tho
earth quaked. Both of the heavy-weights
went TO cement and as their heads struck
they studied astronomy for a second.
They were assisted TO their feet by the
judges and the race was called off.
IL was found that the 242l pound ath-
lete bad a bruised hip and the 2.2O runner
suffered a wrenched knee.
The race was called Off while the run
ners were rubbed down and sent TO the
hospital.
After passing from the hands OF the
physicians they met each other on the
street and shook hands. They will -aLa
next time on n straight course.
ass
Wayfarer Finds Old Commission
While looking through some old
papers recently in Smyrna the Way
tarer found the following old commits
sion which explains itself:
The State Of Delaware to Thomas
Patterson, Esquire of Kent County:
Know you that, reposlng special trust
and confidence in your patriotism.
valor, conduct and fidelity, we have
constituted and appointed and by
these presents do constitute and ap-
point you. to be the second lieutenant
of troop of horse attached to the Sec.
ond Brigade of the militia of this
State. You are, therefore, commanded
carefully and diligently to discharge
the duty of a second lieutenant, by
doing and performing. all manner Of
things, Herewith belonging; and all
officers and soldiers. under your COM
mand, are hereby strictly charged and
required, TO be obedient to your or
ders. as second lieutenant; so you are
likewise to observe and follow such
orders and directions. from time to
time, as you shall receive from the
governor of this State. for the time
being, or from any OF your superior
officers, according to the rule and dis
cipline of war This commission to
continue in force for seven years. un-
less sooner lawfully annulled. In
testimony wherefore the great seal Of
this State is hereto affixed.
Witness: Joseph Haslet, Esquire at
Georgetown, the eleventh month in
the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-third, of
the Independence of this State, the
forty-seventh.
On the left side Of the commission
is a margin containing the seal Of the
state and the name Joseph Haslett,
BY the governor.
HENRY w. WELLS.
Secretary of State.
Conductor Called Them Down
It was on Delaware avenue car,
outbound. and every time the con-
i,tcfor would call oitt "A esfrpcf two