Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-05-01
CHAPTER III.

III W udppCu Wu6Q some Vi
the gay an ugly ones tries to rough it
on him?' he asked.
He'll kill them sure" was Stuben-
er's verdict
mo, he's too cool for that But he'll
just hurt them some for their dirti-
ness"
Lets draw up the contract" said
the manager.
wait till you know the whole
worth of him." old Pat answered.
"'Tis strong terms I'll be maxim you
come to. Go for deer hunt with the
boy over the hills an learn the lungs
and the legs of him. Then we'll sign
up ironclad and regular"
Stubener was gone two days on that
hunt, and he learned all and more than
old Pat had promised and came back
very weary and very humble man.
The young fellows innocence of the
world had been startling to the case
hardened manager, but he had found
him nobody's fool,
Virgin though his mind was, un-
touched by all save narrow noun
tain experience, nevertheless he had
proved possession of a natural keen
ness and shrewdness far beyond the
average
In way he was mystery to Sam,
who could not understand his terrible
equanimity of temper Nothing ruff
fed him or worried him, and his pa
tience was of an enduring primitive
ness.
He never swore, not even the futile
and emasculated cuss words of sissy
boys
I'D swear all right if wanted to-"
he had explained when challenged by
MS companion But guess I've
never come to needing it When
do I'll swear, suppose"
Old Pat, resolutely adhering to his
decision, said goodby at the cabin.
1T won't be long, Pat, boy, when
I'll be readin' about you in the papers.
I'd like to go along. but I'm afeard
it's me for the mountains till the end"
And then, drawing the manager
aside, the old man turned loose on
him almost savagely.
Remember what I've ben teIlfn'
ye over an over. The boys clean, an
he's honest. He knows nothing Of the
rottenness of the game kept it all
away from him, tell you. He don't
know the meanin' of fake. He knows
only the bravery an romance an
glory of ightin', an I've filed him up
with tales of the old ring heroes,
though little enough, God knows, it's
set him af1re
Man, man, I'm tellin' you that I
clipped the fight columns from the
newspapers to keep it way from him
him a-thinkin' was wantin them for
me scrapbook. He don't know man
ever lay down or threw. a fight. So
don't you get him in anything that
amt straight. Don't turn the boys
stomach ~
"Thats why put in the null an
void clause. The first rottenness an,
the contracts broke of itself; no snide
division Of stake money; no secret ar
engagements with the movin' pitcher
men for guaranteed distance. There's
slathers o. money for the both of you.
But play it square or you lose. On
derstand?
And whatever you'll be dom watch
out for the women was old Pats
parting ACCOMPLISHMENT, young Pat
astride his horse and refining in duti.
fully to hear. Women is death an
damnation, remember that But when
you do find the one the only one,
hang on to her. She'll be worth more
than glory an money. But first be
sure, an when you're sure don't let
her slip through your fingers.
Grab her with the two hands OF
you and hang on Hang on if all the
world goes to smash an smithereens
Pat, boy, a good woman is-a good
woman, IT'S the first word and the
last"
Once in San Francisco, Sam Stube
ner''s troubles began. Not that youne
Pat had nasty temper or was grouchy
as his father had feared. On the con
trary, he was phenomenally sweet ant
mild
But he was homesick for his beloY
ed mountains; also he was secretly
appalled, by the city. though he trot
its roaring streets imperturbabIe as {
red Indian.
Il came down here to fight" be an
nounced at the end of the first week
) Where's Jim Hanford?"
Stubener whistled
"A big champion like him wouldn'
look at you" was his answer. "'Gt
and get a reputation is what he'C
saw
Il can lick him"
but the public doesn't know that
If you licked him you'd be champion
Of the world, and no champion eve
became so with his first fight
ST cam
"But the public doesn't know it, Pat
, 1t wouldn't come TO see you fight. An,