The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-14
CHAPTER TEN

WHILE the Professor studied
w the articles of the fight be-
tween Steve Morgan and Primo
Camera in the Office of Jack Demp-
sey Promotions, Inc, Steve stood
by, surly and moroSe.
Now that the financial side is
satisfactory" Dempsey was saying,
I think we're all ready to sign.
What do you say, Professor? Here's
a pen"
Now don't hasten me, Jack, my
boy, replied the Professor. You're
not fighting Willard at Toledo"
How about you, Steve? Every
thing roSy?" asked Dempsey.
What have I got to say about it?
Come on, sign it and let's get out
of here!"
Whats the matter? Catching a
train?" smiled Dempsey.
Hes probably got a blond staked
out somewhere" said one of the re-
porters.
Steve pushed his way toward the
reporter. Looking for split lip?"
he asked, dangerously. The Profess
sor, evidently worried, stopping him.
Stephen, boy. All right, Jack.
Suits me-" He signed the articles
of agreement and then Camera S
manager attached his signature.
Now" said Dempsey, ''the boxing
commission will name one Of two
men as referee the day before the
bout. It'll either be Haley or Eddie
Woolf.'
At once the Professor and Car
nera's manager were up in arms.
They didn't want either man.
What difference does it make
who you get?" exploded Steve. "Juss
get somebody that can count up to
tenl"
"CUT it out!" said Dempsey, stern
~ despite his laugh. I'm buying
this night. Ill referee the fight.
Any kicks about that?" That suited
everybody, and Dempsey continued:
"Everything's set then, Primo, bring
your bunch out here. Erskines got
some pictures of those training
quarters he's spotted out on Long
Island. Steve, stick around. I want
to talk to you"
After Dempsey, Primo and the
others had left the office, Steve went
quickly to the telephone and called
a Riverside number. He had to re-
peat the number and became angry
Before the call could 60 through, the
Professor returned, grabbed the
phone from his hands and slammed
it up.
You're going to stop calling
numbers like that for a while
Stephen"
Who says SOP" steve's voice had
turned ugly.
Il say So" The Professors voice
remained even, but it had become
stern. You and I are getting UP
to Gus Martins tonight. You've
got two months ahead of you of the
hardest training you've ever done in
your life"
L should get in a sweat over that
big push-overl"
Steve reached again for the tele-
phone. but the Professor. with sur
prising strength, threw Steve back
against the wall
You poor, blind mutton-head
You've let the finest little girl that
ever lived slip out of your fingers
Are you going to do the same thing
with the championship
We don't need that pipe dream
to make me win" Steve slapped
the ProfeSSot across the face as he
tried TO keep him from the phone
flooring the old man.
Steve glared down at the Profes-
sor who looked up dazedly, and
then said in pleading tones: boy
I'm the ProfeSSor-your friend
You're nothing to me from now
on. I'm managing my own fights
Steve stalked angrily out of the
room as the Professor got up slowly
wlping a tear from his eyes. He
turned his back as he heard the
door open and some one come in
The genial voice of Jack Dempsey
asked: Where's Steve?"
Jack" said the Professor. with
out turning to face him. could J
borrow a bottle of Scotch?"
Sure. if the newspaper BOYS
didn't finish it ALL He felt around
in his desk. Here's a bottle left
Feeling like celebrating. eh?"
NO" said the Professor. taking
up the bottle from the desk. Young
Gaffney went back to his grave"
Dempsey looked at him. mystified
and watched the dropping figure OF
the Professor as he walked SLOWLY
10 the door, fumbling the bottle OF
Scotch into his pocket.
CTEVE kept the words he had
- spoken in wrath TO the pro-
feSsor; he became his own man
ager, merely hiring a man to at
tend TO the various business angle
that developed.