The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-06-24

Jim's new sparring partner. Seems
| funny. looking back now. II that pho
tographer had known that he was
taking the first picture of a coming
worlds champion wouldn't his eyes
have bulged out?
When the photographer had snapped
us we went inside. The handball
court was empty. l put my suit case
down on the floor and looked around.
That suit case held about all had
in the world at the time-a couple Of
changes of clothes and we'll worn
sweater with a neck stretched all out
of shape through being pulled over my
head SO often.
| Delaney opened a little door in one
corner of the room. and then had my
first sight Of the great man l was to
work with and whose boxing skill was
to have such an effect on my later con-
tests in the ring. Corbett was just get
ting dressed for his work.
It's strange how wildly every little
detail of an important event comes up
| in mans memory. can shut my
eyes and see that little dressing room
now. Beside the stove. engaged in
drying out the clothes. was a sQuarely
built. rather fat fellow wearing a mask
that exposed only his mouth and nose
and eyes and that looked like big
yellow bologna curled around his coun-
tenance.
He turned to Delaney and said 'Hel-
10. Bill" in voice that was a kind of
husky squeak. This was Billy
Woods. an old time heavyweight from
Denver. Tilted against the farther
wall was a round jawed. big shoulder
ed fellow with grin on his face. wear
ing dark red tights. Con McVey he
was. There were two or three others
just reporters from the papers.
All of this l took in from the corner
of my eye. The thing really saw
was the champion. He was sitting on
the corner of his rundown couch care
fully lacing his boxing shoes. With
out waiting to finish he jumped up
and shook hands with Delaney. Then
he turned to me.
$50 you're Delaney's new giant, are
You?" he asked. smiling in friendly
way. You look big enough"
was so busy looking Corbett over
that almost forgot to answer. But 1
shook hands and instinctively gripped
him hard to see what he was made Of.
All the time was wondering If this
slim. sinewy fellow could be the great
champion l had heard so much about
Where did he keep his fighting
strength? He was just about my own
height. but fully forty pounds lighter.
If was any judge of men. His eyes
were deep set. The skin was drawn
tight over his cheek bones and was
well Drowned by the weather. He had
a cocksure way about him. like man
who knows he can fight and would re-
sent any imputation to the contrary.
Get ready. big fellow" said he,
"and we'll have little tryout. Got
your stuff with your"
had. and in few minutes was
ready for work Corbett looked me
over and sized up my strength and
condition You ought to do If you
have any speed" he said. What ]
need is q fast man who can make me
20 some:'' l made up my mind right
en- the spot that the champion wouldn't
find me lacking. After a quiet talk
|
paper men and the rest of the staff to
go up to the hotel and leave him alone
with me. There was some argument,
but Jim insisted. He explained that
he wanted to have a private tryout
and see how we would work together.
In the next few minutes l got new
idea Of what champion should be
like Griffin was clever enough when
he fought me, but he was nothing be-
side this Corbett. Jim danced in and
out SO fast that it was hard to hit him
at all. He ducked under swings east
ly and bobbed up again unhurt. He
jabbed me and jumped away before I
could get him. Now and then he tried
to feint me out, but never did fall
for a feint, even in those days. When
a man feints at me just walk into
him, and he can punch away IL he
Dleases.