Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-10
FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS.
Jim Corbett Proposed to Become a
 French Caterer.

| Although he did not shoulder a gun l and march to the front during the late | Spanish war, James J. Corbett is none the less patriotic. When the call came for volunteers the ex-champion thought | of his damaged solar plexus and re- mained at home dealing out liquid courage to other recruits.
 It was demonstrated clearly yester- day that the pugilist-actor's patriotism was not wanting, for the cables sizzled with the intelligence that simply to show his love for America he would es- tablish bar in Paris. No sordid mo- | tives induce Corbett to make this move; he is. doing it solely that Amer | ica shall be properly represented among the gay Parisians.
 With customary modeSty the res | taurateur permitted the news to ooze out in the French capital before he even mentioned it on this side of the ocean. This scarcely seems credible when it is recalled that Corbett has been back from his invasion of the continent nearly a month.
 For the first time it now is known exactly why the former champion went l abroad. He offered various excuses and reasons at the time of his depar- ture, but he never hinted that his real
 
 Just before sailing for Europe he hinted that he had been engaged as boxing instructor to the youthful king of Spain. He also mentioned that if properly approached he might consent to show some of his fancy foot work to Emperor William of Germany. When closely questioned he admitted that if King Edward insisted on his presence he would permit the English sovereign to shake his hand.
 Strangest of all, Corbett after his second day in Paris admitted to a per sonal friend that he did not like ahe French capital.
 London, fine and daisy" was Cor bett's comment. But they don't seem to know me over here. Our personali- ty has not been properly advertised"
 Perhaps it was just this condition that led the ex-champion to formulate plan whereby Frenchmen would learn to regard him as man who mat tered. In devising project it was natural that he should think of some of the schemes he had projected in New York.
 At any rate, if the Parisian dis patches are to be relied upon, the cafe is a certainty.
 flames J. Corbett has bought a big saloon in Paris" read the message. ''He says he did it on patriotic. prin- ciples, as there was no real American bar in Paris. He intends to outshine Maxim's and leave Henry's far be- hind.'
 It seems that Henry, whose place is ill the Rue Volney, has been the fa- vorite resort of Americans, lost much of his popularity because he circulated a nafitiOn amOnp tha rlroDriatorc of American bars to raise the price of whiskey and soda from one franc to a franc and half. Corbett has been asked to stick to the old price and 'sbreak the trust,''
 Many were the suggestions offered the monolOgist fighter yesterday when the news had been thoroughly ,digested. There was a unanimity of opinion that "One-Eyed'' Connolly be employed as head waiter at the cafe and Fitzsim- mons be rendered the position of of ficial censor. Thomas Sharkey was en- tircly ignored. and pending the result of the Jeffries- Ruhlin controversy neither of those opponents of the man. ly art was named in connection with the new enterprise
 The Rialto naturally was somewhat alarmed over the news from abroad, inasmuch as Corbett had promised to erect new hotel on Long Acre square which would place the Waldorf-As- toria in the shadow. Upon investiga- ton, however, it was learned that he had not altogether abandoned this project. He hopes to establish chain Of international cafes.
 The most interesting feature of Mir Corbett's scheme is that he believes in it himself.