Evening star., 1922-02-26

up to fight . guy here at hundred
snd thirty-th ring side. and starv-
ing meself for weeks to make the
weight-say. I amt had a square meal
since Ponto was a pup-and gee.
along comes word that he's sprained
a foot and will we kindly not expect
him. And all I get is the forfeit
money. Forfeit money! Keep it. 1t
amt but hundred fish. Say, I'd have
licked that guy with me eyes shut"
He kicked the table leg morosely.
"Your story moves me much" said
Freddie. "And now what shall we
shoot into you?"
you attending to this tableT"
II am
The young man scanned the bill of
fare.
Il X 4 4
nNIoODLE soup-bit O. weakfish-
~ fried chicken. Southern style
corn on the cob-bit O. steak-fried
potatoes-four fried eggs. done on
both sides-apple dumping with hard
sauce, and cup custard," he observed
rapidly. "That1l do to start with.
And. say, bring all the real beer you
can find. I've forgotten what it tastes
like"
Sure" said Freddie sympathetical-
ly. Keep your strength up"
I'll try" said the thickset young
man. "Get q move on"
It gave Freddie quite a thrill of
altruistic pleasure to watch him eat.
He felt like a philanthropist enter
tanning a starving beggar. He fetched
and carried assiduously for the diner,
and when at length the latter called
for coffee and a cigar and sank back
in his chair with q happy sigh, he
nearly cheered.
On his way to the kitchen he en-
countered Mr.. "Blinky" Anderson.
looking depressed. Freddie thought
respectful coincidence would not be
out Of place.
SORRY to hear the news. sir. hear
the main event has fallen through. I
have been waiting on one Of the fight
ers upstairs"
Mr.. Anderson nodded.
= THAT would be the Tennessee Bear
Cat"
VERY possibly. He had that ap-
pearance."
Like the Bear Cat, Mr.. Anderson
was rendered communicative by grief.
Freddie had q sympathetic manner,
and many men had confided in him.
"One-Round Smith says he's hurt
his foot. HUH" Mr.. Anderson grunted
satirically. but pathos succeeded sa-
tire again almost at once. II amt
told them about It yet" he went on,
jerking his head in the direction of
the invisible audience. 1.-THE prelimi-
naries have just started, and what
those guys will say when they find
there amt going to be main event
I don't know. And I can't get sub
stitute. Who's going to offer to step
up and swap punches with a terror
like the Bear Cat?'
II am" said Freddie.
Mr.. Anderson stared at him with
open mouth.
"Eh"
'Td fight Jack Dempsey if he'd
Just finished the meal that guy has
been having" said Freddie simply.
Mr.. Anderson stood blinking. and
allowed the idea to soak through. It
penetrated slowly, like water through
q ceiling.
He'd eat you" he said at last.
'Well, Tn the only. thing in this
place he hasn't eaten. Why stint
himr
"But, say. have you done any fight
ingT
"As an amateur. . good deal"
Mr.. Anderson SO far forgot himself
as to expectorate disgustedly.
Amateur! Well. it's you or no.
body. I'll give you a hundred If you
last Ave rounds. I guess flve'll satis-
fy them II you make them fast ones.
I'll 60 and tell the Bear Cat"
"And I'll 60 and get him his coffee
and the strongest cigar you keep.
Every little helps"
Freddie entered tho ring in q bor-
ssvea eostumss and seating him.
a