The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-12
RoMANCEs OF THE RING True Tales of Hard Hitting Heroes of
 Past and Present
(By T4n1

When the nineteenth century was young, when men still gloried in brute strength and courage, and the lust of personal combat ran hot in their veins there lived in the town of Preston. England, a. youthful giant who am swered to the name of Bob GreEson. He was a native of the Lancashire village of Heskin, ten miles from Pres ton, and came from good old yeoman stock. Standing six feet two, he was a Hercules in physical proportions, big-boned and brawny. His connely face and curly hair and manly figure made him the handsomeSt lad in Ian cashire. He was intelligent and good natured, and it was only natural that many of the nlaidens of Preston were enamored by the gallant youngster.
 Young Bob followed several occu- pations including that of a commander of a steam packet boat Like most of the athletic youngsters of. that period he was fond of a bout with the raw un'' but hese were always inpornptu affairs with the lads of the neighbor-# hood The possibility of turning his fighting ability to financial account in the prize ring did not occur to him at hat time.
 Despite his attractions for the fair sex, Bob Gregson remained heart whole and fancy free until he met a lovely widow of Preston named Mrs. EGawthrop. She was young, plump and pretty, and from the moment Bob cast his eyes on the artful minx he he was head over heals in love. She was woman after his own heart not frail ethera1 checked, but over flowing with merriment and good spirits.
 Unfortunately, all was not easy s1ed- ding for the enarnored Bob. The widow well conscious of the honor paid her by the attentions of a young man for whom so many fair ones had ''set their caps'' in vain, was, 1t to be fear ed, a bit Eck1e in her affections Tn any event, Bob soon realized that he had rival, another handsome giant named Harry Mandersley. That was quite a classy name, and much to be preferred 70 Gregson, which had a plebeian ring. Besides young Mander-
 eley was the son of we1l-to-do parents and might some day inherit 8 flourish ing meat market, while happy care free Bob had no such expectations The strapping Harry and the sta1wart Bob soon found themselves at sword $ points. which was doubtless a, source of delight to the merry widow. She distributed her smiles evenly betweein the love-lorn pair. One day Bobs s heart would sing with joy in the belief that he was the favored one, but the next day Harry would receive some
 coy attention from the widow that would plunge poor Bob into s1oughs 1 of despair.
 l Mad with jealousy, both Bob and
 Harry realized that the affair must
 be brought to a climax. One day Man dersley was returning home after a
 visit to the widow when he was ac-
 costed by Gregson. The frowning 1 lowering visage of his rival told the
 heir to the butcher shop that the clim-
 ax w-s about to be reached.
 1 They say as you think you be a
 fighter said Bob. p1unging straight into the subject. sfWell r will fight ye. An the man as is licked is to stay
 away from Widow Gawthorp. What
 says yep
 The truculent Harry expressed him self as not only willing, but eager, o eo+tle their love affair on those term. and added that he was ready to de-
 eide the issue then and there. After a heated argument, however, they agreed to postpone the meeting until the following morning.
 The sun was not yet up on the day
 of the battle when Gregson and Man dersfey, accompied by 8 few friends