Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-31
TALE g TsDs-Es
 AT TEE REMG SIDE By W. 4. PheIon.
THE FIGHTER AND THE MADMAN

A boxer gets quite a few experi- ences as he wanders around the coun try,'1 remarks Jack Root, who came near being middle, light heavy and heavyweight champion in his time, and only missed the highest honors through evil fortune and an occasion al wallop from heavy gloves.
 T had some close fights and some srueling battles-the two with Mar win Hart for exampie-and I had all sorts of adventures between fights as l journeyed here and there. It may seem chesty to say it. but 1 never remember feeling any fear of another fighter, or any doubt over the out come of a contest. Nevertheless, I know what fear is, and I have a vivid recollection of one occasion when Fear with a capital F dominated my soul. my body, my nerves and my whole being
 There was a certain fight fan of my acquaintance-an enthusiastic ad- mirer of boxers and a deVOtee of the same. This fellow, who was a good soul and q loyal friend. had q brother who went violently insane. He had been mildly lunacious for several years, but had never bother anyone hence there was general surprise when he became dangerous in the worst de gree.
 He was a man of immense strength and when his ferocious mood seized him he could handle an ordinary in dividudI like a cork. It was plainly impossible to keep him at home. and he was duly committed to an ansylum. On the morning when he was to be taken to the asylum, it was arranged that his brother. myself, and two husky hired guards should escort him to the train, and take care of him till we reached the asylum gates, about GTJ~ T.nil lag of
 "The family lived in a suburb, and we intended to board the train at a nearby station instead of going down. town. There was no trouble with the lunatic on the way to the station but just as we arrived at the little depot he had one of his wild fits. and it took all four of us to hold him steady. After we had quieted him, we looked at the bulletin board, and found that the train would be 20 minutes late We sat around few minutes, and then the lunatic, now perfectly quiet and peaceable, said he wanted to get a drink. l accommodated him to the lavatory, and just as he was lifting the cup to his lips the lights in the wash room suddenly went out. And with the final flicker of the light heard the door slam shut, and heard a gurgling chuckle. The lights were out, the little room was pitch dark and the madman had stationed himself to hold the door!
 Say. talk about fear! Talk about dread and horror! 1 was a. fighter yes, but even so, what chance had L? Nothing doing in the boxing line. was there alone in the dark with a pounds, and d man who could tear me to pieces with his naked hands Some pleasing situation, yes, dear friends?
 T tried to glide softly away from the place where l was standing, and as I started 1 heard the maniacs ghoulish chuckIe. Then I heard a rustling noise as he began to move along the wall He was hunting for me--a giant of strength and sinew. murderously demented, thirsty for my blood.
 T dared not cry out-before the in. the madman, guided by my voice, would have seized me and torn me to ribbons. Softly I backed around the little room, and as l moved I heard the maniac chuc<ling again.
 Presently I coI1ided with the wall. and at the same instant the lunatic's great hands grazed my coat. My hair rose straight up and I could feel icv throbs run up and down my spine. I leaped backward, and again I heard the madman laugh.
 And at this moment the door flew open. My friends peered into the suddenly lighted interior, and saw me-White as 8 sheet, so they all de- clared, and with staring eye that made me look twice as much a madman as the other fellow. And, leaning against the wall, with groad grin was the maniac. He turned towards his keep CTS as they entered and exclaimed in 8 gentle. half pleading tone: Isn't Jack mean. I wanted him to play tag with me. and he jumped away every time l came near hir,'
 Copyrighted by J, X, Robie.l