The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-02-24

Flnally SOMEBODY decided that 1
could take his measure. That was
1t q time when ] was with the
army up Ronorantin way. Word
was passed to me by my COM
handing officer that could have q
little vacation by going to Paris
70 fight Marchand. I was mighty
happy about that, for ! never had
made real visit to Paris. was
Wild to see the town-and this
booked like the golden opportunity.
Just before left for Paris. one
Of my huddies soIed my well
worn shoes with some clumsy
elkslzin. When l left I carried
along with me q big bucket Of
beef tea. And when ] arrived
in Paris ! began cruising around
N that town at rapid rate so
that / could see all the thigh
ApOte" Of the town before / had
to get back TO Jump into the
I firing with Marchand.
All day long / footed 1t around
Paris, dragging that bucket with
me. I don't know how many miles
walked. but guess / covered
about all there was to cover at
Paris. ! didn't stop sightseeing
until long after dark. Then drank
that enormous bucketful Of beef
tea after which ! started Off for
the Martin Theatre, where the bout
was to be staged.
was late arriving because I
was so interested in giving Paris a
iookover that time had meant
nothing to me. When I got to the
light place the promoters who had
given up the idea that I was going
20 put In an appearance, were all
get to send q fellow named Green
INTO the ring with Marchand.
--
promptly registered . pro.
test and demanded that I be
given the sight as scheduled,
pointed out that could get
ready in about 10 minutes. After
much .parIeying they yielded to
my pleas and ordered me to
hurry. did. ] was ready In
less than 10 minutes And
then, all Of Q sudden, I came
70 realize that was Ia sad
lighting condition.
The walking all day had tired
me so much that could hardly
drag my legs around. The big
drink OF beef tea had taken had
made me "loggy." And, In addition
TO that was wearing into the
ring the only shoes I had! the big
heavy Army brogans with the eIIs.
skin soles that were wholly un-
suited TO fast and nimble steppinr.
But I'd asked to fight, demanded
the chance. they had given It to
me, and 50 1t was up to me to get
busy.
WAS q rather scared kid when
climbed into the ring; not scared
or Marchand, but afraid because Of
the tremendous responsibility II
was carrying. For the theater was
provided to its doors with dough-
boys In the majority. And I knew
that Just about every last one of
hen had wagered the last dollar
on me. Those boys had heard
something about me as q boxer.
&C least enough to make them think
could whip Marchand. Thew Felt
was q heaven.sent opportunity Tor
them TO recoup all their losses. Ana
now they did bet!
And there was / climbing into
the ring against 3 great nro.
IessIonal and in no real condi.
ZION 20 tight. But the seeming
nopeisssness OF my position,
Ms the 4nOWledge Of what my
4aliure would mean to those
boys brought to me one az
those ''do-or.die'' resolves-and
] did It.
Marchand was rough and verv
tough young man, who knew about
All the tricks Of the ring trade
and he packed a wicked punch as
his nickname implied, His preaF
stunt was to rush his man with
the opening bell and keep on ton
Of him while he threw a few mil.
lion punches which were intended
TO beat the other man to Crushed
pulp on the canvass.
He rushed me-, But / met him
with left job. He rushed back
again. backed away and Their.
az ne came on once more, / jabbed
him again. And so the first round
me, and all the rime I was studv.
ing. him and his style and irving
to figure out where was the weak.
ness in his defense and where
should hit him when / went on Of
Hfensive myself.
discovered his weakness before
the round had ended. 1t was his
body which he left open in his
lunging rushes. And in the second
round / took advantage of it,
AZ we came out with the BEN,
left what seemed to be 3 wide
opening for him. He saw Il and
he Ieaped forward to strike. Rut
even IS he was letting 20 I drove
. right-hand for his stomach with
all the power | could put into
the drive. It hit MarcIand ter.
rifically In the pit. There was a
fearful hiss as the air was driven
violently out of his lungs hiss.
. glazed look il Marchand's
eyes. 3 quick crumpling Of the
power Of his legs.
And down he went.
When he got UP the douehboys
.aia-a.a. lsl.a.h. -,