Morris tribune., 1914-05-08
THE
ABYSMAL BRUTE
BY
JACK LONDON

Kelly for purse Of 500. 1t was the
custom of young fighters to assume
the names of old ring heroes, so no
one suspected that he was the son Of
the great Pat Glendon, while Stubener
held his peace. 1t was good press
surprise package to spring later,
Came the night Of the fight after a
month Of waiting. Stubener's anxiety
was keen. His professional reputa-
ton was staked that his man would
make showing, and he was astound-
ed to see Pat seated in his corner a
bare five minutes lose the healthy col
or from his cheeks, which turned q
sickly yellow.
Cheer up. boy" Stubener said, slap
ping him on the shoulder "The first
time in the ring is always strange, and
Kelly has a way Of letting his oppO-
nent wait for him on the chance OF
getting stage fright"
at isn't that" Pat answered. 'It's
the tobacco smoke. I'm not used to it,
and it's making me fair sick"
His manager experienced the quick
shock Of relief A man who turned
sick from mental causes even If he
were a Samson. could never win to
place in the prize ring. AS for tobac-
co smoke, the youngster would have
to get used to it. that was all.
Young Pats entrance into the ring
had been met with silence, but when
Rough House Kelly crawled through
the ropes his greeting was uproarieus
He did not belle zhis-name. He was
q ferocious looking man, black and
hairy, with huge, knotty muscles,
weighing full 200 pounds,
Pat looked across at him curiously
and received savage scowl. After
both had been introduced to the audi
eRce they shook hands.
And even as their gloves gripped
Kelly ground his teeth, convuIsed his
face with an expression of rage and
muttered:
You've got yer nerve wild yeh.' He
dung Pats hand roughly from his and
hissed, I'll eat yeh up, ye pup!''
The audience laughed at the action.
and it guessed hilariously at what Kel
ly must have said.
Back in his corner and waiting the
gong. Pat turned to Stubener.
''Why is he angry with me?" he
asked.
He ain't." Stubener answered.
'"That's his way, trying to scare you.
It's just mouth lighting
''It isn't boxing" was Pats COM
ment. And StubaPer, with a quick
glance noted that his eyes were as
mild, blue as ever.
BE careful" the manager warned
as the gong for the first round sound
ed and Pat stood up, Hes liable to
come at you like d man eater"
And like man eater Kelly did come
at him, rushing across the ring in wild
fury Pat, who in his easy way had
advanced only couple of PAGES, gaug-
ed the others momentum. sidestepped
and brought bis stiff arched right
across to the jaw.
Then he stood and looked on with a
great curiosity
The fight was over
Kelly had fallen like a stricken bull
lock to the floor, and there he lay with
out movement while the referee, bend
Ing over him. shouted the ten seconds
In his unheeding ear
When Kelly's seconds came to lift
him Pat was before them. Gathering
the huge, inert bulk of the man in his
arms, he carried him to his corner and
deposited him on the stool and in the
arms of his seconds
Half minute later KeIly's head lift
Ned and his eyes wavered open. He
looked about him stupidity and then to
one of his seconds.
What happened?" he queried hoarse-
~. Did the roof fall on me?"
AS result of his fight with Kelly.
though the general opinion was that
ne had won by fuke, Pat was match
ed with Rufe Mason. This took place
three weeks later, and the Sierra club
audience at Dreamland rink failed to
see what happened.
Rufe Mason was heavyweight, not
ed locally for his cleverness. When
the gong for the first round sounded
both men met in the center of the
ring. Neither rushed Nor did they
strike blow
They felt around each other, their
arms bent, their gloves so close to-
,@ether that they almost touched. This
lasted for perhaps five seconds.
Then it happened. and so quickly
that not one in hundred of the au-
dience saw. Rufe Mason made a feint
with bis right. 1t was obviously not a
real feint, but feeler, mere tenta-
dive threatening Of a possible blow.
1t was at this instant that Pat loosed
his punch. So close together were
they that the distance the blow travel.
ed was scant eight inchs. It was
q short arm left jolt, and it was ac.
cOmplished by twist Of the left fore
arm and thrust of the shoulder.
1t landed flush on the point of the
chin, and the astounded audience saw
Rufe Mason's legs crumple under him
as his BODY sank to the floor Rut tho