Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-07-21
NOT THE RIG HIT MAN
BY MAX ADELER.


there also resides a prominent prize
fighter named Joseph Striker and ru-
mors were afoat a few weeks ago that
the latter Joseph Striker was about
to engage in a contest with a Jersey
pugilist for the championship. Our
sheriff considered it his duty to warn
Joseph against the proposed infraction
of the laws, and so he determined to
call upon the professor of the art of
self-defense. Unhappily in inquiring
the way to the pugilist's house, some
body misunderstood the sheriff, and
sent him to the residence of Rev. Mr..
Striker, of whom he had never heard.
When Mr.. Striker entered the room in
answer to the summons, the sheriff said
to him, Familiarity:
Hello. Joe! How are you?"
Mr.. Striker was amazed at this ad-
dress, but he politely said;
Good morning"
joe" said the sheriff, throwing his
leg lazily over the arm of the chair,
II came round here to see you about
that mill with Patsey Dingus, that
they're all talking about. | want you
to understand that it can't come off any
where's around here. You know well
enough it's against the law, and amt
going to have it."
Mill Mill, sir? What on earth do
you mean?" asked Mr.. Striker. in aston
ishment 81 do not own any mill. sir.
Against the law! | do not understand
you, sir"
t.,
sheriff, biting off piece of tobacco, and
looking very wise. that won't go
down with me. It's pretty thin. you
know. | know well enough that you've
put up $1,000 on that little affair. and
that you've got the whole thing fixed
with Bill Martin for referee. | know
you're going down to Pea Patch island
to have it out, and I'm not going to
allow it. III arrest you as sure as a
gun if you try it on, now, mind you"
Really, sir" said Mr. Striker
there must be some mistake about"
oh, no, there isn't; your names Joe
Striker, isn't it?" asked the sheriff
My name is Joseph Striker, GER
tainly."
Il knew it," said the sheriff, splitting
on the carpet, and, you see, I've got
this thing dead to rights. 1t shan come
off; and I'm doing you favor in block
ing the game, because Patsey'd curl you
all up and sicken you, anyway if
let you meet him.
Il don't know what you are referring
to- said Mr. Striker Your remarks
are incomprehensibe to me. but your
tone is very offensive, and if you have
any business with me, I'd thank you to
state it at once"
Joe" said the sheriff, looking at him
with benign smile, you play it mighty
we'll Anybody'd think you were inno-
cent as a lamb. But it won't work,
Joseph-it won't work, | tell you. I've
got duty to perform and I'm going
TO do it, and pledge you my word, if
you and Dingus don't knock off now, I'll
grab you and send you up for ten years.
as sure as death. I'm in earnest about
| it."
What do you mean, sir?" said Mr..
/ Striker. fiercely.
"Oh, don't go TO putting on airs about
it. Don't you try any strutting before
me" said the sheriff, "or I'll put you
under bail this very afternoon. Let's
see, how long were you in Jail last
time? Two years. wasn't it? Well.
you go fighting with Dingus, and you'll
get ten years, sure"
You are certainly crazy" exclaimed
Mr. Striker.
Il don't see what you want to stay at
that business for, anyway" said the
sheriff. Here you are in a snug home,
where you might live in peace and keep
respectable But no, you must asso-
ciate with low characters, and go to
stripping yourself naked and jumping
into a ring to get your nose bloodied
and your head swelled, and your body
hammered to jelly. and all for what?
Why, for a championship! Its ridicu-
lous. What good it do you. if you are
champion? Why don't you try to be
honest and decent, and let prize fighting
alone?"
This is the most extraordinary con-
versation | ever listened to-" said Mr..
Striker. you evidently take me for
a"
lake yOu lOI JUG otlht anu IL yOu
keep on, I'll take you to jail" said the
sheriff. with emphasis. Now, you tell
me who's got those stakes, and who's
your trainer, and I'll put an end to the
whole thing"
you seem to imagine that am a pu-
gilist," said Mr. Striker. Let me in
form you, sir, that | am clergyman"
; Joe" said the sheriff" shaking his
head, tits too bad for you to lie that
way-too bad, indeed"
But l am clergyman, sir-pastor of
the church of st. Sepulcher. Look!
here is letter in my pocket addressed
TO me-"
, you don't really mean to say that
you're a preacher named Joseph
Striker7" exclaimed tho sheriff LOOKING