New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-04-24
ANCES OF THE
|QuARED CIRCLE"
|lstOl Boy" and His Day
at Bath.

- ANNNab eNAA AlSiA
as doing his best, in response
zaouted advice of his friends,
best was far from good
The unfortunate Sam was
hid in the hands of the tall,
Bristol boy" and although
Fighting gamely, he was TAX
the "lathering" and landing
occasional weak blow in re-
me was the latter part of the
n century, the scene a bit of
{ Just outside the grounds of
asdowne fair at the English
Bath. One of the attractions
Rir in the wicked city was
81 booth, where Jack F'irby,
he Young Ruffian," and other
ate boxers of the day dis
heir fistic proves for the
s BIZ the Bath folk and the
The entertainment was varied
hes between local lads of pug
proclivities. Jem Belcher, a
n year old youngster from
was one of those who volun-
to amuse the crowd. Sam
a young Bath cabinet-maker,
een as his opponent. Belcher
handsome boy, nearly six feet
It, but slim and graceful of
Lowat was of about the same
weight, and had quite a local
bn as a boxer.
gh the boy from Bristol had
Is In the crowd, most of those
s in the booth were admirers
cabinet-maker. That didn't
latter, however, and only a
nds with gloves were neces-
Drove that the Bristol butcher
the master of the situation.
soon became angry, and,
the gloves from his hands,
we bloody butcher, We may
a towelling with the gloves,
lcan't do it with the raw
81 Belcher was quite willing to
be challenge, and the meeting
to the nearby common,
he lads, stripped to the waist,
q ter each other with the bare
SIM was such a workmanlike
That Lowatt could not stand
him, and the Bath youngster
2ered with blood and taking a
y drubbing when the sport was
ted. '.....
81 Bob! It's Sam, an he's all
#young woman had been try
ket glimpse of the cause of
Excitement. After a time the
Hrted SO that her wish was
but it did not appear to give
pleasure. She let out
and, turning to her COM
stalwart young man in his
venties, cried:
8 Bod! It's Sam, an he's all
Go and make him stop"
chap addressed as Bob was
#uch in love with the lovely
Brl, and he was at that stage of
y D when the wish of his lady
Is law. He shouldered his way
j the crowd, which parted
anyone offering any objec-
khen the identity of the man
#lized, and made his way to the
aThere he pushed Jem away
zhm and, taking the latter with
Bcorted the reluctant and pro-
youth to the girl. The latter
ms sister, and what she said
battered boy is no business OF
Men and boys who have had
listers will be able to fill in the
themselves.
Jem Belcher was not to be sc
cheated of his prey. He fol-
Sam and his captor, Bob Brit
III said to the latter:
If We are afraid to let vel
light, will We fight me yerself :"
crowd stood aghast, for Bot
was one of the most famous
Is Of the period, and, SO al
1t, quite able to whip the Bris.
It'll with one hand.
Smighty Britton turned red Will
] this challenge, and shouted:
v, thou impident young wos
we a good mind to give thee {
thrashin'." ....
Jon might have tried to put his
into execution then and there
b young woman interviewed anc
him to take her away. Still
ing and muttering with rage
Il made off with the girl.
Belcher owed to this inciden
Production to the prize ring, il
! he shone as one of the creates
He came of a fighting people
i grandfather was no other thai
Slack, the man who took tn
Rionship away from Broughtor
time of his visit to the Lands
fair, young Jem was EN-
as a delivery boy by hi
Rr-in-law, Bob watson, a Bristc
pr. Watson had been a fai
/ In his day, and from the tim
was able to stand he had re
instruction in the art of box
Fom his brother-in law.
lissom, wiry, varmity lad VIII
It know what fear is" Watso
|bed his protege, and Jem 500
h that his brother-in law wa
After Bob Britton escorted hi
lone, he returned to the fair. an