Evening star., 1921-08-28

face. and a fringe OF grizzied hair
above his ears that gave the lie 10
head was crowned. Next to him was
Mr. Doulton. who chatted and smiled.
smiled and chatted; but his eyes
moved restlessly over the basin OF
faces. as II in search.of an answer TO
some unuttered question.
were ended. Az the cOmbatants had
arrived unheralded, SO they departed
unsung
The NJ. C. climbed through the ropes
and looked fussiiy about him. 4
black cardboard box, sealed as if it
contained duelling- pistols instead of
gloves. was thrust into the ring.
All eyes We're directed toward the
spot where the eomhatants wOlld ap-
pear. :
The referee turned expeetantly in
the same direction. A group of men
in f1annels and sweaters was seen
moving toward the ring. Among
them was a sleek. dark-haired man
in long dressing-gown Of bottle
green. 1t was Joe Jefferson.
Suddenly great roar burst out,
echoing and re-echoing continuously
as the group approached the ring and
Jefferson climbed through the ropes.
Their came another hush. \ Sec
ond group of men was observed ap-
proacing the ring. There was a
Pond among them. 1t developed into
a roar then died away as if stran-
gled, giving place to hum OF sup
pressed inquiry. Every one was
either asking, or looking. the same
question.
Where is Burns?r
ALI Pond and his associates moved
to the ringside as if bound for a
funeral.
There was strange hush. The
men reached the ringside and stood
looking at one another. The audience
looked at them. What had hap
pened"
None seemed to notice three men
moving down the opposite gangway
toward the ring. The men in the
center was -mufhed. in a heavy over
coat that reached to his heels, soft
felt hat was pulled down over his
eyes One or two spectators in their
immediate neighborhood gave them a
hasty. curious glance.
Suddenly All Pond gave a wild
whoop and. breaking away from his
fellows. dashed toward the three
strangers. In a moment the over
coat and muffier were thrown aside
and the hat knocked off. revealing the
fair-hafred and smiling Charley
Burns.
Rugged and fondled by. his sec
onds. Burns reached the ring and
climbed into 1t. The black card
board box was opened. the mems
hands bandaged. the gloves donned.
Still the pandemonium ragged, now
dying down. now bursting out again
with increased volume.
Jefferson and Burns shook hands.
The referee stood in the middle of
the ring and. with arms extended
aioft. appeared to be imp1oring the
blessing of heaven. The crowd, how
ever understood. and the great up
roar wore down to hum Of sound.
+
A LMOST before anyone realized it
the gong sounded; the fight had
begun. ..r=
An exclamation broke invoiuntarily
from ALI Pond. az he dropped the
sponge and gazed before him with
wide-staring eyes.
dancing with excitement. "Did ever
you see the like, Sandy?"
Discarding his traditional opening
OF boxing with swift defensive watch
fulness. Charley Burns had darted at
his man. Before anyone knew what
was happening his left crashed be-
tween Jefferson's eyes. blow that
caused him to reel back almost to
the ropes. s
Before he could recover, right
hook had sent him staggering against
the ropes themselves. For second
it looked as If he would collapse over
them. Pulling himself together, how
ever. he strove to clinch; but Burns
was too quick for him. Stepping
back swiftly, he feinted with his left,
and Jefferson. expecting q repetition
Of the first blow. raised hisl guard
A white right arm shot out to the
mark, and Jefferson went down with
q crash.
Once more the gong sounded: once
more Burns sprang up and darted' at
his man. Jefferson tried first to
dodge and then to cHnchs but with
out avail. He was Tunnervsd. :. His
strategy and tactics had been planned
in view of Burns's usual methods:
but here was an entirely different
man to deal with-a great fighter:
Twice more Jefferson went down,
taking a count of nine on each occa-
sion. He seemed to share with the
spectators the knowledge that there
would be no third round. "s
On rising the second time he
seemed determined to change his tae-
tics. He rushed forward nghting
gamely, apparently In the hope of get.
ting a lucky knockout blow. With
out giving an inch. Burns threw OF
the blows and, feinting with. his left.
crashed his right full ON the point of
his opponents jaw.
Jefferson'S hands fell and for q