The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-29
SPIDER KELLY A LIFE SAVER.
NEARLY DROWNED KEEPING FAT
ITALIAN LADY AFLOAT.

WIN NNE NNN MNNFE re
WanoWed-MOdesty and Gallantry.
Mr. Spider Kelly sat In the back room Of
a Harlem lager dispensary last night sur
rounded by admring friends and long
beers, modestly deprecatlng the praise Of
the thirsty. Mr.. Kelly had saved a life
at the grave risk OF his own In tho morning
and delegations Of pugs and thlokset, short
haired gentlemen had gone all the way
from ORourke's subway and the Metro
pole and Kid McCoy's and even Tom Shar-
keys boozeorium to inform Mr.. Kelly that
he was a gentleman and credit to the
profession. Thereupon they would rap
sharply upon the table and call upon the
white aproned attendant TO chase himself
and give Mr.. Kelly Whatsoever he oraved
in the nature Of cooling fluids.
In days gone by Spider was an authority
on the vulnerability Of the human frame.
His left hook was a thing TO beware Of.
He had an uppercut like the kick Of a
mule and bis footwork was more worth
spending four bits to see than a Spanish
dancers toe stunts. Mr.. Kelly's lobster
days are passed, though his glory has waned
but little One sees his name occasionally
in print as towel shaker over Mr.. Britt or
the Battling Dane, but now he works for
the city in the Street Cleaning Depart
ment. His muscles are still good steel
and his wind IA Al, otherwise II wouldn't
have gone well with Signora Filiemena
La Bora.
The signora Is the wife Of we'll to do
grocer at SiS East 1lSth street. She il 50
years old and st out. For some weeks she
has been prey to deep melancholy. Yes
terday morning she went TO the pier at the
foot Of Fast 10th street walking like a
woman in a dream. When she got to the
edge Of the pier she knelt, said prayer
and jumped into the river head first. Mr.
Kelly was sweeping not far of and was
considerably startled. There we're other
men about, but they didn't seem inclined
to plunge into the chilly waters. and there
was no time TO go for a policeman. Spider
shed his coat and Owed in like an otter.
He got to Mrs. La Bora after the tide
had gripped her and swung her down the
river quite distance. Spider gripped his
long thin hands in the woman's hair, but
she fought him of and sank again. Spider
took a long breath and went after her.
Then they came up together, Spider with
strange hold. Mrs. la Bora had plenty
Of breath left and she fought the little man
like tigTess, screaming for him to let her
go. that she wanted to die. Pretty soon
most OF Spiders strength went but he was
able TO fight his way closer to shore. Then
Policeman Nehill Of the East 1olth st rect
station went to his assistan together
with John Goort Of 2Oll Second avenue.
They pulled out Spider, who was about all
in, and the woman, who was very angry
because they wouldn't let her drown.
Thara xuara q Lot Of DoOpla on the mar
by that time. and they wanted TO shake
hands with Spider and call him a hero, but
Mr.. Kelly was damp and unhappy and went
10 his home at PAS First avenue to change
CLOTHES. The news got all over town, how
ever, in short order, and when Mr.. Kelly
wandered into his favorite place Of refresh
ment last night to speak his mind on the
chances Of Mr.. Jabeg White Of London,
England, against Mr.. James Britt Of San
Francisco. Cal, in their coming fstfest, |
he found a little surprise party waiting for |
him.
Mr.. Spike Sullivan, Mr.. Bernstein, One |
Eyed Hanngan, Slippery Bill McGinnis !
anu Mr.. Murphy. the Harlem Bull Dog, !
we're seated around large table. They |
escorted the blushing Mr. Kelly to the seat /
Of honor. and Mr.. Sullivan made a happy
little speech, telling Mr.. Kelly that 1T |
amt a mans clothes wot makes him what
he is or the cut Of his mug or his schooling !
or any Of them things; it's a brave Irish !
heart and good nerve Mr.. Kelly was
further informed by One Eyed Hannigan !
that 100 ladies and gentlemen would drink |
to his health that night in ORourkes, |
while the professor at the piano tore of !
that splendid war song:
Remember. boys. you're Irish, and born on
Your mother was a Kinney, and your father |.
was Doyle,
Mr. Kelly's response was neat and happy. |
-Wot tell yoJlse guys are chewin' de |
rag about 80 strong beats me, said he. |
let de old gal go to de bottom without /,
huttn' in meself, do your There's a lot /
81 mugs in this village and all over the |
hloomin' T. S. A. who amt got no use for I
a gent dat makes his Twin putin up his .
dukes in the ring, but It don't make I
man no less quick to go to lady's help .
Just because he's got TO earn his meal 1
tickets beating the mug of some bloke .
hat thinks he's the real cheese. Cries .
q Hear Hear and You're all right I
Spider from Mr.. Sullivan and One Eyed /
Eanniganl Anyway Mr., Kelly con-
GUIDED I'D take shame ] was Irish II I'd 1
Teen afraid TO soak me clothes for woman
Loud cheers greeted these remarks.
entered inquiring freshly II Spider Kelly
was around the shop. He bore an enormous
bunch Of roses with card foot square
dangling from il. Mr.. Kelly took the
roses and read the inscription on the card
aloud
spider, you're hot stun. Come down 10 my
place and I'll buy. THOMAS SHARKEY
Right on top Of that came another mos
senger boy with a card Of congratulations
from Terry McGovem. Mr.. Kelly was
quite overcome by them and honest tears
corrsed down his manly cheeks
There's a lot OF Rubes been knockin'
me wrote Mr.. McCovern, "but I'm always
wise 70 a good sport and a real hero, You're
credit 20 the Irish in America"
Ringing cheers and a round on the house
followed Mr. McGoven's tribute 10 Mr..
Kelly One-eyed Hannigan made a dis
cord by crying into his beer over the I'M
happiness Of Ireland, but he was sternly
rcprlycd 10y Mr.. Sullivan, who told him
gently he would take him out and punch
his face on II he made another croak. A
delicate word from Mr. Ftzsimmons ar
rived then, followed by bunch Of violets
and card from somebody. Mr.. Kelly
vas observed "a blush.
Il was long after midnight when Mr.
IL