Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-03-22

snd mighty slapping OF backs among
those on the winning end of the he,'
ting. W.
Sandy Mcdonald. grinnine nj. vr.,,
ncauon, turned on his heel and strobe
70 MS corner. to he hilariously wrap-
pea IN a gay bathrobe by his two sec.
onus, who had jumped into the ring
ana then lifted by them TO the Shout
GERS OF a score Of waiting men ONT.
side and so borne down the aisle to his
dressing room In triumph.
Inc referee had knelt beside that
sprawllng figure on the mat. which had
not yet moved, and gently lifting the
mead to his knee. began to far the
white face with folded newspaper.
which some one tossed in to him.
steve Flanders, who held the worlds
lightweight championship and who. Mt
I1nker's behest, had helped in the fin.
ishing stages Of the training Of young
Joe for this particular fight and had
been with Mullen in his sons corner
between the rounds. touched Tinker on
the shoulder.
well, It's all over now" said he.
Lets take him down to the dressing
room. That last one must have been
whale Of welt He don't seem to
be comm round yet
Tinker let go his hold on the rope
and got stffiy to his feet His heavy
brows were drawn together. His IN
der lip. close observer might have
noticed. was quivering.
Lave him lay there, for all iner'
he growled between set teeth. "Tis
no more than he deserves--the mutt!
He never half fought. He was scared
scared. / tell yer. A son of mine
scared Of anything like Sandy Nc
Donaldr'
Jaw. hold on a minute, Tinker"
Steve began argumentatively. Tinker
stalked silently to the door. opened 1t.
paused to calmly draw a big black
cigar from his vest pocket, bite OF the
end and touch match to 1t.
He blew several thick smoke clouds
from his mouth before finally he spoke.
Then. with his hand on the door latch.
he turned to glare savagely across the
room in the general direction OF the
bench. although he did not seem to be
looking at the figure with the rolled
sweater under its head.
at amt half so much OF Jolt az
wisht 1t was" he remarked icily. and
with bang of the door he was gone
Smoking furiously, Tinker walked
down the street to his home.
1t was nearing midnight when he
heard the pun and pound Of taxi at
the curb outside. He clinched his
hands and gritted his teeth as he lis
tened for the familiar step on the lit
tie porch. But instead of that quick.
light tread came slower and a seem.
ingIy much heavier one. Simultane-
ously the bell I'm the kitchen beyond
began to purr madly.
Tinker. with the cigar held at an
angle between his teeth. strobe into
the hall and flung wide the front door.
. At the curb stood the taxi with its
low pulsing engine. and on the porch
was Steve Flanders, his face very
grave. Tinker set his teeth tighter.
giving the cigar between them yet
more aggressive tilt.
'Joe's out in the taxi" Steve be-
gan. not wholly at his ease. I'VE had
q hard time bringin' him round.
II know how you felt, Tinker" he
said In carefully lowered voice,
when you left the club Ike you done
tonight, with your face set and hot
words on your lips. But you probably
feel different now that you've had time
to cool of.
Joe knew how you felt too. He
knew 1t when you want there In the
dressin' room when we finally brought
him round. So maybe you'd better go
out to the taxi and sorter tell him
you've cooled of. that you was sore
and disappointed and little mite
hasty. but that everything's all right
now"
Tinker, standing there like a craven
image. staring stoniiy at the man be-
fore him, made no move to follow out
this suggestion. Instead he half closed
the door.
What are you talkin' about, SteveT
he demanded. I'm afraid amt quite
follered you"
Good natured Steve Flanders looked
ut the older man with something like
alarm. 1t was as II he was suddenly
suspicious that Tinker was not wholly
In his right mind.
"What am l talkin' about?" he re-
peated why, your som
Steve got no further. Tinker's gray
eyes shot him a glance that seemed to
pierce him through and through.
"SonT' beloved Tinker in an aw-
full voice. "Son? amt got no SON
not after tonight"
"Sh-h!' cried Steve In alarm. Hush
up, for heavens saker'
He caught the older man by the arm.
pushed his way into the little hall and
closed the door behind them.