The Washington times., 1921-06-13

Before Jack Dempsey became 1
heavyweight champion, the writer
set down his career under the title.
"A Tale OF Two Fists" The story
left Dempsey training at Toledo,
Ohio, for the battle that made him
champion.
AT the time "A Tale OF Two Fists"
was written there was no certainty
that Dempsey would beat Willard.
He might have been whipped in
short order by the ponderous Kan
san, and thereafter drifted into the
Oblivion which Is the port OF beaten
men.
But none the less Dempsey seemed
worth a story. because he was the
most picturesque figure that had ever
come TO the prize ring.
He had been a hobo tramp
ragged, penniless. and often hungry.
He made his way from place TO
place. riding brakebeams, working
when he could find work, and beg,
ging from door TO door when he
couldn't. Now and then he saw the
inside of a jail.
His adventures made interesting
reading. even had he not been con-
tending for the greatest prize in |
fistiana.
A KING OVERNIGHT.
Then overnight he became a species
living on the fat OF the land. his
pockets lined with money his very |
name invoking cheers.
i watched this transition with In
terest, wondering how II had affected |
him, wondering what were the
thoughts of a young fellow who had |
known the bitter coldness of the !
world, In the midst of all this pros |
perity and adultation.
Dempsey is no intellectual giant, /
but he has native intelligence, and |
his early experiences on the road"
have given him a great insight into |
human nature. Furthermore, he has
a strong sense OF humor. j wondered /
IL II came to his rescue as he rode the
wave of popularity, or IL the hurrah |
were wsrping his views OF life.
How many of the rest of us at 23 /
could go along, always the same, with /
the public pack at our heels wherever |
we went. elbowing and showing for a /
peek at us?
How many, imagine.
THEY HURL ROCKS.
Then came tales of various troubles. |
rhe popular pastime OF many persons |
is hurling rocks at the newest idol. |
and rejoicing IL the missiles land. |
Sometimes the impact leaves the idol |
bit bewildered. The new champion |
found himself beset by enemies AMI |
mated by envy, malice, mistaken mo- |
tives, or something even more sinister.
They worked against his happiness, |
and for his money. They got most of |
the latter for time / wondered |
how Dempsey was taking this. What |
were the thoughts OF man who had |
tasted the sweets of popular acclaim |
Oh encounterlng adverse influences?
Greater men than Dempsey have |
Lad the same experiencence. States
men, actors, reformers, and public |
officials from the President of the |
United States down to dog catchers |
have learned the fickleness of some |
Of the publio-not all but some.
FILLS PUBLIC EYE.
I wondered IL Dempsey knew. and
how much he knew.
Once more, in training for bout
that Is the talk OF two continents, |
he fills the public eye. He rides again |
the wave OF popular favor, followed |
by cheering crowds, surrounded by |
admirers eager to pat him on the |
back. and tell him how good he is,
and what he will do to the French
man.
He smiles constantly, and listens, |
apparently with close attention, to the |
babblers. He bears with human pests |
In trousers and skirts, posing for |
camera fends. kissing the smudgy |
cheeks of babies uplifted by proud |
parents, and answering myriads OF |
questions.
BY nature friendly, kindly soul, |
dempsey takes a real pleasure In |
these things, and he knows they are |
expected of The Champion.
But two years have taught him |
much OF the Psychology of the public
ne Knows the magic is all In the III
tle-The Champion.
HE RECEIVES PRESENT.
The other night. out at his house |
at Airport. he was unpscking a huge !