Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-02
DUFFY BEAT PISTOL.
How the Crack Splinter Won Race
Abroad.


Arthur Duffy. the Georgetown University
sprinter. has written an account of his re-
cent victories abroad. The Georgetown
cracks story of how he won an uninterrupt-
ed string of victories against the best short
distance men on the other side. includes an
interesting exposition of how he captured a
seemingly hopeless handicap by beating
the pistol Of nervous starter. The some
what surprising naivete of Duffy in ex-
planning an admittedly unsportsmanIke ac-
lion, will doubtless provoke much discus
sion.
His excuss-that he was pitted against
manifestly unfair allowed distances. ana
competing against rough crowd of ath-
letes-will hardly be accepted as lsgfti-
mate extenuation by many of the men who
have worked hard to wipe out all elements
of thickness at the starting point. Duffy's
description follows:
Thoroughly satisfied with my Scotland
invasion, and seeing new fields to conquer L
departed from Glasgow and set out for
Pontypridd (Wales), where 1 was to run the
following Monday afternoon. 1t was tedi-
GUS journey to southern Wales, and, COM
pletely worn out, L arrived at Pontyprldd
Monday forenoon. Thinking that the long,
tiresome ride would play havoc with me,
anXiously prepared myself for the coming
race in the afternoon. Owing to my condi-
ton, l decided that 1t would be best to
confine my endeavors only to the Welsh
championship; but arriving in the little
mining center rumorS were af1Oat that the
cob;es were going to bring down a runner
feeter than Mercury himself, who would
defeat all the visiting champions. Rather
DESTROYS of testing my speed with his new
wonder. upon arriving at the grounds, which
were reached by Ginning some of the steep
est hills 1 ever encountered, was pleasant
ly surprised when l observed the perfect
condition of the track we were to race on.
1t seemed like old times to get loose once
more upon cinders. after having raced SO
much on hard turf and loose grass and at
once l felt confident of rendering a good
account of myself.
1T was with little difficulty I disposed of
the championship race, defeating Wadsley,
the English champion. and Lundie, the
Welshman. by over two yards in the time
of As seconds. In this race I was disap-
pointed in not having the new wonder COM
pete against me. but learned at the last mo-
ment that he was saving himself for the
handicap race. AS I was still in fine form
and felt none the worse for the race had
just run. l made up my mind to try con-
illusions with my mining friend in the open
race. Each of US won his heat and semi
| final, my antagonist winning his handily
| while 1. ON the other hand, beginning to feel
| the effects of my long journey and my prev
vious heats had to be content with snatch
| ing victory in the last few strides.
Completely played out after my fourth
sprint, I retired to the dressing room, and
realized at once that l was totally unfit to
meet my adversary In the final heat. The
| latter, however, noticing my wearied con-
dition. gained confidence in himself, and
had his friends work necessarily over him
so he would be thoroughly fit for our final
struggle. But 1 felt no better before we
were finally called out, and I decided il
would be to my disadvantage to race, and
proceeded to obtain permission from the
! officials to stand down. Immediately II
| spread around the excited crowd. composed
mostly of rough miners that was afraid
10 ~ 4I4yr -Io, ,,y,;o NJ oVr,i6 To To
| jeers and rebukes, 1 returned to the dress
| ing room. considerably annoyed.
ut was most unsympathetic crowd, anc
| as 1 could not help hearing the many dis
| paraging remarks about me, practically
| driven to it, 1 finally announced that
would race their man, but insisted on Ions
| rest. At last the various other events
| were decided, and, still feeling weak, witt
defeat staring me In the face, came upor
| the track and closely scrutinized my oppo
| nent, who appeared as fresh as the day
| itself. At once 1t dawned upon me that II
| would be impossible to win under ordinary
| circumstances, and, with the singing in
| suits Of the excited bystanders ringing ir
| my ears, and the thoughts Of the large
| handicap which l was forced to concede
| my only chance appeared in resorting to q
| little strategy with the starter, a rather
! irritable and excitable individual.
"As 1 inquired from him how he proposed
| to start us, noticed that his nervousness
became more apparent, and as we were
IudIy cdiieu u the Cautiously
crouched and awaited my opportunity. ant
| as the lingering sounds of Get ready
| passed from his lips and died away among
| the GREATNESS crowd. like frightened ami
| NAL seeming danger. sprang forward
| catching the report of the pistol as I flew
| by my competitor at top speed. The sud
den shock surprised everybody: but my
| rival. game to the end, stayed with me
neck and neck we ran.
| 1.-The result was inevitable; for with the
| start received I managed to make up the
| handicap l was conceding, and broke the
tape a scant yard in front of my opponent
| 1t is needless for me to describe my re-
| ception after winning under such condi.
| tons; and while l must confess that 1t was
| unsportsmanlike. still the uncouth name,
| in which / was received and the liberal han
| dicap which my opponent had might be
| taken extenuating circumstances. Be
that as it may. with my two first prizes
| tucked securely under my arm, I set out fol
Abergavenny that night, where I was te
run on the morrow"
EnE