The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-06-21

Americas only bufl-fghter and old
Harvard's most spectacular gladia-
ltor. Lee was the pride OF Harvard
in 1897 and his GOODNESS, courage.
strength and agility won glory and
honors for the red.
His profession of civil engineering
calling him 10 Mexico, the dashlng
Harvard hero fell captive to a pair
of languorous dark eyes and led to
the alter little seDorita. a daugh-
ter of an old and honored Spanish
family.
| To increase his income and be-
cause he lOnged to match his dar-
ing. poise and strength against the
proves of the Mexican athlete. he
became a bull-hghter. To his de-
light and their chagrin he easily
surpassed them and the spectators
we're quick TO observe and acclaim
his skill lie now devoted his en-
tire attention to the sport and in
1905 became a matador. the zenith
Of its possibilities. He did not win
his spurs 1rchallenged, however. but
his associates soon learned that to
betray or anger him was danger
Gus pastimo In October, 1909. he
was reported dying from injuries in
fiicted by a bun. but miraculously
recovered. On May s, 1910, he was
again gored by a bull and with his
life blood gushing from his wounds
rose, killed the bull with a maguifi-
cent stroke, walked to the ring bar
rier and fell unconscious.
Close you eyes for a moment.
worthy reader. and imagine yourself
magieally transported to a mountain
-girt table-.and in the region of
the tropics. and awaken in the Old
Mexican catital. the city of the
Azetecs, The throne OF the Monte
zumas. the debstable empire Of Max
imilian.
II is Sunday. a festal day. and
the hands of the clock point to 3
p. m. Suddenly, a tram-car. clang-
ing its bell rattles down the street.
shaky csrry-all rolls past and
from every street and avenue pour
throngs Of gathering, gailN dressed
people, whose singing. laughter and
cries mingle will the bells OF the
omnibuses. the crack of the drivers
whips. the olatter OF horses hoofs
land the ru;nble of the .tram-cars.
The accumllative tide OF humanity
turns, as oos person. into the broad
avenue OF the Plaza de Toros. the
great ampnitneater or circus where
the national sport of bull-hghting is
held.
| Every true American diapproves
this pastime. abjures it as a revolt
carnage. a slaughter of the inno-
cents. but the excitement of the mul-
titude is infectious. the clear. rare
air intoxicating and without the
thought OF resistance, YOU join the
gala crowd. The amphitheater proves
to be a plain. substantial. roofless
Enclosure. eliptical in form. The
ring. a miniature Sahara. occupies
the center: encircling II Is a barrier
as high az q mans shoulders. Out
side the barrier a boardwalk ex-
tends entirely around the arena, and
Is in turn encompassed by another
barrier, be. ond which rise tier upon
tier Of seats The boxes OCCUPY the
highest planes and are gaily decorat-
ed. as are the barriers, with bunting
in the national colors. red. blue and
green.
With every moment the JOY OF the
crowd increases Men Of affairs
abandon themselves to the festivity
of the scene with the thoughtiess-
ness OF children. Women blithely
felicitate their neighbors upon the
Joy OF being present: youths play
pranks to the delight of the maid
ems and children.
The distant cathedral chimes ring
O'Clock AID all eyes are turned up
on one OF the four entrances to the
arena which subdivide the barriers
into quarters. Above the gate re-
served for tee bulls sits the Tribune
who directs tue sport. a mighty man.
ihN biNNo Z rlsudls tntIt 10 hVui-
ish OF trumpets and through the OPP
posite gate winds a procession, me
dieval in It's trappings, brilliancy
and arma.Gre. About dozen
chulos station themselves at inter
walls about the ring. Several horse
men, the pitadors. spur their blind
folded, gaily caparisoned nags to
various positions near the barrier.
The picadores are encased in mail
over which they wear velvet coats
and leather trousers and each bears
long lance. The multitude roars
With delight. huzzars. shouts.
whistles, cat-oalls. Another trumpet
signal and enter. the bull. He Is a
moderately sized, dark chestnut ami
mai, with spreading horns and
powerful reck Good he will be
bueno to-o for fight. His size
angurs speed and activity. His color
denotes a fierce and passionate tenn
per and his powerful horns are
sharp as r two-edged sword.
The ohulo. a gallant figure in gor-
I