Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-24

ray kept saving
ing to me: This isn't a mugg, Jack.
He's got everything. l can't lay
glove on him, and I've tried every
thing ] know"
The longer IL went. the less chance
Murray had to lay one on Darcy. He
made a monkey out of poor Billy.
Murray wasn't the only victim.
Darcy whipped every middleweighr
that we ever sent to Australia and
we sent some real good ones over
there. He was only a boy, but a
real champion.
He was blacksmith Between
fights you'd find Les Darcy working
AT mis- trade. He wasn't too prouG
TO go back to the forge. He whipped
Mick King for the middleweight title
in that country, and the next day he
was back to work. leather apron and
all. Great crowds gathered to sec
the wonder boy of the land, but he
paid little attention to the oyations
that they heaped upon him. lie was
modesty itself.
Boxing Was Popular.
Boxing had taken on a new lease
| of life in that part of the world. Sam
Langford had just left when we go.
there. and. of course, Jack johnson IS
victory over Tommy Burns for the
heavyweight title had turned the
eyes of the whole world on Australia.
Hugh Mcintosh had helped boom
the sport, and he was among those
who founded the great boxing stad.
iums at Sidney. Brisbane and Mel.
bourne. He had a wonderful crowd
back of him-I mean the fans.
don't suppose there is a race of people
! on earth who are more devoted to
| sport than the Australians.
Their enthusiasm isn't confined TO
| boxing. They have some of the finest
| horses and the finest race courses in
the world. There is always action for
your money. The bookmakers lay 10
to on horses that would be to )
| over here.
They don't point the finger of scorn
| at man because he places a little
wager. They'll point it at you if you
don't. When horses are running
you'll see a thousand bookmakers
| rush down to the rail and they'll
| keep betting, loading up or unloading
as the case may be. Thousands of
| dollars, in the English way of reckon
| ing money, will change hands
/ among them. You'll see them bet on
or against A horse three lengths from
| the finish line.
| And they don't call them gam
| blers." They're "sportsmenr You
bet with the finger. No show of
money. Your word against theirs
| but always with the finger. I'm
| afraid that syestem wouldn't go far
| over here. Too many fingers with
nothing back of them'
You pay or collect on Wednesdays
and Saturdays as the case may be-
! ic In, he
| It's purely a business arrangement
among gentlemen. You can bet
$4,000 by simply raising your finger in
front of the bookmaker you happen
/ to know. They have their clubs and
move in the best circles.
1 If a man runs out" on a bet
"welches' as we say in this country,
it is known at taking the knock
over there. If you don't settle you're
| in bad and you don't get far with
/ the bookmakers. for your name is set
/ UP on the blackboard in their quar-
tiers as being bad investment.
Rivaled English Derby.
/ The Melbourne Cup is three times
as large race as our own Kentucky
! Derby and far more picturesque. Ii
is much like the English Derby, with
| us ITeIleHuOuS VI
| classes. They come from all quar-
tiers of the land to see this race and
in that respect Is not to be Outdone
! by the English classic, It's holi
day from one end of the land to the
other. It's an understood thing that
you are interested in the outcome and
have a choice to back in the struggle
/ for cup honors. Horses come from
all over to compete in the race and
| they bring their followers with them
There is no such enthusiasm here OF
4 any other place.
The betting ring is situated on a
| little Hill, and you are able to look
| down ut the track from any angle.
/ It's dress-to-kill crowd, the best
!, they have. And they've got the best,
never fearl
In many respects the Australian is
like us. He has no particular love
| for England. I guess he's like the
/ Irishman in that respect. He believes
he ought to have full sway in the
| handling of his own countrys affairs.
/ There are d lot OF Irish In Australia.
and l suppose that accounts for the
chip on the shoulder" attitude.