Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-04-13
- ORRY ROAD was on the other
side of the railroad tracks.
The least undesirable section

~ of Cory road was farthest
from the tracks. No. Ia Cory road
was so near the right OF way that its
occupants could tell in their sleep
whether the 1887 was burning hard
coal or soft. In No. IA Cory road
was born Roderick VicAlpine Dhu
Kent
His father was Essex English and
his mother was Chicago Yankee. But
his mother had received as a wedding
gift from the family for whom she
worked an ornate and fiaringly Illus
trated copy of The Lady of the
Lake"
Much of it she did not understand,
but she thrilled to the soul at one OF
its full-page illustrations-the draw
ing OF a darkly magnificent and pant
less man with a brandished sword
and a scowling brow. The pictured
man, she learned from caption and
context, was Roderick VicAlpine Dhu,
oftener referred to during the rhymed
narratives course as Roderick Dhu.
Wherefore, when a Justify squall-
ing son arrived in the Kent house
hold, some months later, his mother
had him christened Roderick VicAl-
the naming of her first and only child.
This because her husband was barred,
temporarily, from Directing. While
following too jealousy the example
rr the stag at eve. he had mistaken
policeman's uniform for a brake
mans and had waxed overplayful
with it's wearer. BY reason of which
he did not return from the house Of
correction until fortnight after the
christening.
Never from the hour of his baptism
was the heir of the house of Kent
called by his full name. He grew. up
rs "Roddy."
On Cory road children did most
OF their own upbringing. Those who
had no knack for doing SO died.
Goddy lived.
Both his parents died before lie
was ten. st. Thaddeus' Orphanage
took him in.
Then eight years with adaptive par
ents gave Roddy 4 smatter of educa-
ton and of manners. He managed TO
get through grammar school at six
teen, thanks to extra coaching, and
he was not dropped from high school
until after the end OF the first term.
First and last, books were a mys-
terry to him. In one thing alone did
he excel AS an all-round athlete he
had not his equal within two years of
his own age.
Old Justin, the former pugilist, who
had charge of the high school gym,
eyed him from the start as a horse
man might regard some future Derby
winner He insisted on teaching the
stock and pug-uosed lad to box and
to wrestle. and he all but wept with
JOY at kents progress
F[NWO years later Justin received a
visit after hours from Roddy.
i've left home reported the youth.
81 mean it's left me. The old gentle
man died last month. They've fig
ured out his estate. He'd lost lot.
There's just enough left to keep the old
lady going. If l stayed on there'd be
only a meal and half day for each
of US and about half enough money
for everything else she's got to have.
SO I've lit out. j figured she'd feel
Better that way-you know-thinking
J was making getaway from a
sinking ship-than If she thought
was going hungry out in the tall
grass so she can get three squares.
/ wrote a rotten note and I skipped.
Gimme job, won't you, or try to get
me one someWhereS?'
1t was a long speech for the tact
turn Roddy Kent. And old Justin let
pass a longer interval of silence be-
fore he answered.
'At any line of work that fits in
with your home raising" said he,
you'd be worth about 9 cents g
week in United States money"
He paused. Roddy's level little
eyes did not finch. The heavy young
face was impassive.
Just the same" pursued Justin,
you done a decent thing when you
dived off the raft that wasn't big
enough to hold you and the old dame.
And you done decenter thing when
YOU left her sore at you instead OF
sad for you. I'm giving you credit
for that
The boy frowned, making as though
to interrupt. But old Justin went on:
There's ony one mans size job you
could make good at. I'm talking
about the ring"
Il know you are" assented Roddy,
81 knew you were going to. Can you
get me d start?'
Il can, promised Justin. so could
any one else whose opinion the fight
crowd will take. I'll do bit more
I'll train you myself and I'll manage YOU
on 25 per cent split-you being only
kid and a dub yet-and I'll board
you at my shack and train you there"
Three months later the first semi
final event of the Cestus Athletic
Clubs Saturday night program was
scheduled as ten-round bout be-
tween Coal Mine Crump and Kid Kent
Both were weller weights-one a vet
eran pork and beaner, the other a
novice.
Crump was q former mine hand.
who had some slight following not
only among sporting men OF his old
trade, but among fair contingent Of
local fight fans. He barely escaped
being formidable fighter.
Justin had been criticized for start
Ing his protege's career against SO
experienced a third-rater. But the
old man had studied the situation and
had made his choice.
Here's the idea, 'Roddy," he had
said. eff you're the conner I think
you are, you're able right now to
last out against Crump or maybe
even get shade on him. Hit the
first punch and keep on hitting. Tear
in and keep on tearing in. Be ready
for the gong. When you hear it get
up with q jump and make for him.
Slug as soon you get in reach. No
matter if he amt half up off his
chair yet-slug. Fights on as soon