Catoctin clarion., 1916-05-25
THURMONT, FREDERICK COUNTY, Md THURSDAY MAY Is 19

and win that thousand?"
The dream of the five thousand
stirred secretly In Joe's heart, but.
like practical man. he had put it
away. If Bent doesn't recognize me-
! he replied.
He put the thought Of Bent's face
out Of his mind too, and set to work
training. Joe had never got much out
Of condition, but he lost lot of fat
and put on lot of muscle during the
next months. Everybody remarked
that Joe was easier in the ring,
handler, too. His mustache was the
subject of some banter. Perhaps Joe
had been premature, but he knew that
the cheap club which he coached was
not likely to be represented at the
Bent show except as Individual spec.
tators.
1t was breathless evening for Mol
ly, and she clenched her hands in fury
as Bent stepped into the ring.
"One thousand dollars for any gent
that can stand up for six rounds" an
nounced ALI Jackson. Five thou
sand for win on points
The local champion came into the
ring. He squared up to Bent, who
grinned and mocked him. The cham
pion's blows fell like thistledown
upon Bent's body. With few seconds
to spare Bent put all his force into
right handler. The local champion
dropped like log. The manager and
his friends carried out the limp body.
"Mr. Joseph Sonally!" announced
the manager.
And Molly saw Joe step into the
ring. She watched Bent's face. hold
ing her breath with apprehension.
But Bent did not know Joe. He
played with him, not knowing that
Joe was playing, in his turn. Pres
emily the champions fist shot forward.
Joe turned his head and the force fell
upon air. And as Bent lurched and
swayed Joe's fist went hard into his
mouth. Bent went to the ground.
A roar went up from the spectators
as Bent at his seconds knees, grim
ly wiped away the blood from his cut
lip. Everybody was looking at Joe,
who was cool as cucumber. Molly
was prouder Of him than she had ever
been. This was moral, not physical.
strength, the kind any woman might
be proud Of. The second round be.
gan. Bent came forward like tiger
and rained blow upon blow against
Joe's face and body. Some Of the
blows told, some failed. The end Of
the second round had certainly been
Bent's.
In the third round Bent seemed to
realize that he was UP against some
thing tough. He looked uncertainty
into Joe's face. Joe played with him
as Bent had played--played until he
saw the sudden light of recognition in
Rents eyes, saw the sneer which he
had dreaded about his mouth.
And in place of the anticipated fear
Joe felt wild exultation. He saw
that the others nerve was gone. He
leaped at Bent. His own blows drove
the champion round the ring. Shrieks
of delight went up all round the circle,
men stood up and waved their hats
and yelled themselves hoarse. Time
was approaching. Joe had been wait
ing for that AS Bent turned at bay
and tried his famous punch Joe gave
him his, with every ounce OF his
strength. Bent dropped senseless.
"Time!" yelled ALI Jackson.
But time" for Bent meant three.
quarters of an hour before the flicker
Of an eyelash betrayed the return OF
consciousness. And Joe was hoisted
on the shoulders of the crowd, which
had recognized him.
bravo, Joe You came back, JOEL
they yelled.
But Molly knew that Joe had come
back to her-and to their child-in
another sense than that.