The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-07

4
massive head a little TO the left. and
prepared TO demolish his adversary.
| wal. guess I've tumbled into a
novelty" If
Mr.. Horatio jefferson Woombanger.
with his hands In his pockets and his
hard face surveying the cOmbatants
with a sphinx-like calm. stood In the
archway OF the shooting gallery.
The mans personality was marvel
Gus. even In his uncomfortable pas
sion and his hands dropped to his
sides. and, with roar OF anger. ne
began a simple. passionate statement
OF his woes. For three minutes Ken
nedy and Hampson shouted their YER
stons or the case al the circus pro
prietor, while the trembling girl
crouched like broken lily behind
the cartridge table.
Mr.. Woombanger stood silent and
said no word, nor did his face show
the slightest amazement or emotion.
But the keen brain had already sum-
med up the situation. had taken II at
Its true value, when there was a
tramping Of feet outside in the cor
rjdor. a sudden check, and then a
pouring Of a motley crowd into the
place.
Grooms. menagerie attendants. aero
bats. cowboys. Negroes, pushed and
struggled upon the stage OF this
drama.
The bell had rung. the last mem
bers OF the public had left the show,
and an hour and q half wait before
the evening performance had begun
The stan were going about their bust
ness OF preparation for the nigh.
when the engrossing happening In the
saloon had detected the human
steam as a boulder defects a water
course.
The ten minutes that ensued were
perhaps the most memorable that had
Of Woombanger's. The odd wild crew
kept the combatants apart. A ring
OF men was formed round Caesar
Kennedy that even he dare not break.
The man was hated by all his col
leagues; the lovely little Italian girl
was liked and respected by all those
rough fellows. who, hard and wild
as their life was, yet felt an uncon-
scious reverence for what was weak.
beautiful and pure.
Napoleon-that Is, Mr.. Woombanger
found that he and Mr.. Kennedy
we're in a minority. The famous show
man was king and skipper Of his com
pany still. But he was wise and
shrewd ruler, and knew the danger
of stubborn resistance to q popular
end democratic cry.
II was In this crisis that Horatio
Jefferson Woombanger showed his
greatness as a captain and his knowl-
edge OF his followers. With a wave
OF one fat, 1eweled hand he hushed
the contending armies into silence.
Thus he spoke:
Boys" he said, Il guess my motto
has always bin, Let the best man
win Say, young Teller" he continued,
turning to Hampson, I'm the legal
guardian OF this gal. You sorter seem
to want the gal and you say you can
support 'er. Caesar wants the gal,
too; and. boys, you all know Caesar
can support 'er. Now, see here, young
Teller, see here. Caesar, will you fight
for err"
! There was a murmur Of excitement
from the crowd. Woombanger stilled
1t. He pulled out massive gold
watch.
How I'll Ak the matter up is this
he said. I'VE amt got much time
before we open the show again; but
the rings up In the rotunda, and II
this young Teller likes to put on Ave-
ounce gloves with Caesar Kennedy and
fight for the gal III give 'er as a wife
to the one what comes out on top
| Queensberry rules. three-minute
rounds, one minute between each
round, and the fight to last for 10
minutes bang on the stop-watch.
There was a silence for a moment.
A hoarse and cruel chuckle came from
the prize fighter. Hampson stepped
forward.
You're a man. mister" he said to
Woombanger. II reckon I'll put EN-
on and knock little northcountry
sense into that Yankee. Lucy, my
lass, stay you here; I'll be back In a
! few minutes"
1 There came a shrek from the girl,
a shrek which was unheeded. With
unanimous movement the whole hot
blooded company swept cheering out
OF the saloon. The thunder OF their
feet. the excited and joyful exclama-
tons grew fainter as that wild bat
l
ed circus ring.
Lucia remained leaning against the
wall, pale, motionless. and with the
wild eyes Of fear and horror.
Five minutes passed. Lucia stood
trembling by the table. Life and feel
ing had crept into her face once more.
The stark paralysis Of terror had gone.
but the agony OF realisation was upon
her, and shook her like q riverside
reed In q tempest.
The girl had spent all her life in
showland. Since her father. Tavolara.
the celebrated lion tanner, had been
killed during his performance. Lucia
had dwelt constantly surrounded by
show people. She knew. none better.
every detail Of Caesar Kennedy's
prowess. The bruts's strength, his
cunning and ferocity were the daily
talk OF all Of them. No one dared to
stand up to him. hated though he was.
The prize fighter ruled his lawless