Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1911 — FLIGHT OF THE CHAMPEEN [ARTICLE]

FLIGHT OF THE CHAMPEEN

Be Climbs Under the Ropes When His August Pa Appears—Not in the Same Class.

"What’ll we do now?" asked Mullammy. The trio had been trying to find out what amusements the town afforded between the hours of 8 p. m. and 8 a. m., and It was close to the latter boor, though they had set no time Umlt on things. Jones and Scantan thought about it. They decided they didn’t know. Also Jone 6 was staepy. “Tell you what," sugested Mullaney, "we’ll go over to a place I know —it's a club —and we’ll see a ■crap or two." "You’re a gay old sport, all right.’’ laughed Bcanlaa. "Anybody’d think you were a sport Instead of a grayheaded old family man." Mullaney led the way to a staircase, where stood a thin man with a thinner STercoat fastened to his neck, and to this man he made talk. Jones and teanlan, being strangers In town and guests of Mullaney. stood in the background until the conference was finished. and, receiving a signal, raoutied the steps behind the other two. ▲n opening door threw them Into s barnlike hall, a hall thick with blue tobacco smoke, and In the center was S squared ring of ropes. . “Here's where yon get your money's trprfh," exulted Mullaney, who had disappeared for a moment into an adroom, where he had transaot-

ed business with three keen-eyed men. "They have good scraps here. I’ve never been here before, but Maddox put me next." At this moment two young fighters entered the ring, and a hoarse-voiced individual In his shirt sleeve 9 made an announcement that the winner would fight all comers In his class. Then the bout was on. Through the blue haze of smoke the spectators gazed silently. The thud of gloved fists against human flesh resounded, and lithe bodies slid from danger and swayed in. accompanied by more thuds. Scanlan looked at Mullaney. His eyes were staring; his jaw had dropped and be was clinching the edge of bla chair seat. Plainly something had made him mad. Then It happened. The fist of one of the fighters caught the chin of the other and a roar resounded, while the fat man stood over the fallen man, waving bis arm up and down. They helped the defeated gladiator from the ring, and the man in shirt sleeves rose to make an announcement. "Young Dempsey.’’ he sa?d, "champeen of the State’ll meet any hunnered’n forty pound scrapper that wants apy o’ his game." Then In the audience rose Mullaney.

his jaw hard as Iron. As he passed Jones and Scanlan they tried to grab him, but he shook them off. He climbed the steps leading to the stage and threw off his coat amid yells and jeers from the crowd. But "Young Dempsey’’ wasn't smiling. His red face went white and he turned and whispered something to his seconds.” "Come on here.” said the old man. "Come on here, you graceless imp. I'll pound you to smithereens. I’ve licked you before, and I’ll do It again. Come on.’’ But the champion was crawling under the ropes. The crowd was whooping and yelling, and finally the fat man in shirt sleeves got In front and waved his arms. "The champeen,” he yelled, "won’t fight his pa! He ain't in the same class." “You bet he won’t.” snorted the old man. yanking on his coat. "Wait’ll I git home. Apollo Sporting club, huh!" \ Then Scanlan and Jones seized him and hustled him out. and the nproar brought a policeman, whe poked in his head and winked. “It’a all right. Jerry" some one said. “Everything clean . Good night"—Dallas News. „