Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-12

ence / was mental and physical
wreck and was obliged to spend eou-
pie OF months at Hot Springs to re-
cover my normal condition.
Sullivan was a very hot bird in
those days, l think it was about 1886,
just before he got that severe fit of
sickness that put him out of bust
ness for several months. Suffering
with gastric fever he lowered between
life and death, and as it was a second
attack everybody thought it was his
finish. Did l make any money? Well,
/ never really found out 1 know we
picked up a pot of it on the road, but
we blew it as fast as we got and fast
er, too, for we must have borrowed a
wagonload. of the stuff from all kinds
of people who were stuck on John and
wanted to do him favor. One day
he would be fiat broke and the next
he would be flush, buying wine like
Coal Oil Johnny.
ITO tell you the truth the last three
months~I was with John / was in a
sort of champagne trance, for it was
wine wine. wine day and night. We
never went to bed until or in the
morning and never got up until noon.
Then we started the VINE going before
we were well awake and kept going 1t
until we could hold no more. Well. it
cost some to keep the ball rolling, but
we certainly made some dough, for
Sullivan drew big houses wherever he
showed. For my part l know that
quit the job broke and with the little
bank roll had before a started out
as Johns manager gone"
How did Sullivan train for those
knockout shows of his?' asked a lis
tener.
Why" replied the veteran sporting
man, "he never was in condition. on
a day or night that he was to meet
some fellow and try to knock him out
in four rounds, Sullivan generally took
a Turkish bath, good rundown and
a clean shave. Then to the public he
looked like a real gladiator. Some
times he went into the ring as full as
a goat and got away with his man just
the same. Considering the life he led
John was the most wonderful fighter
in the world. If he had taken care of
himself as he's doing today. his equal
would never have been seen in the
prize ring.
Several years after 1 quit Sullivan
a fat little theatrical man named Har-
ris came to me in a Cincinnati hotel
one day and told me that he had book
ed Sullivan for a couple of weeks
in vaudeville. He asked me confiden-
TALLY what was the best way to han
die John.
"'He has missed q couple of matt
ness by being intoxicated and l have
had TO stand the loss said Harris.
Tell me, please, how / should go about
it to get control of him.
That's very simple I repeated,
with an important air. You must go
at him good and strong. Don't let him
think you are afraid of him. Tell him
he's a rum soaked Bluff, and you won't
stand for any more Of his drunken ca
pers.'
LAS strong as that, chr remarked
the little manager, as he turned pale.
Well, you ought to know! He's up
on the sixth floor now half stewed
in bed. I'll go up and give him a stiln
CALI You know I'm business man,
not a fool. and I'm out for the vel
vetl'
How did it work? Well, listen to
me. When Harris delivered the hot
talk to John in his room. all sur
rounded with bottles, John kind Of
smiled and slowly got out of bed
Then taking the little manager in his
arms as if he was a child, he walked
toward the window.
"'Why, joint screamed Harris
What are you going to do
I'm going to throw you out OF
the window, you little stiff roared
Sullivan, in his sub-cellar voice.
"'Great heavens. joint walled the
little manager. Don't you know l was
only kidding Can't you take joke
"a joke. eh% growled Sullivan, as
he threw Harris bodily into the hall
way If you ever annoy me again when
1 am in bed I'll wiring your neck, see%
And Harris resigned the next day.