TOD SLOAN 



weighing about 155 lbs. We arranged a try-out for 

 him against a local man and went to see the show. 

 Considine's nigger, as I shall call him, came into the 

 Ring full of confidence, showing his white teeth as his 

 smile broadened. He was as cheerful and confident 

 as possible, so I said to Joe Eppinger, who was 

 just behind him : " There may be something in this 

 feller." 



" Anyhow, we'll see some fun," answered Joe. 



They were to spar six rounds. When they began 

 the nig. was still laughing. Then it began to wear off 

 as the round proceeded, and he looked astonished at 

 the end of it, for the other fellow was handing out 

 jabs and hooks. He went in for the second and got 

 lifted off his feet and had it all roads. At the end of 

 it he looked like quitting, but Joe Eppinger kidded him, 

 saying : " Go in ; you're all right ; he's nearly had 

 enough of it ; that last knock down was only an 

 accident." So up he got again. 



In the third he was driven round the Ring, and it 

 required all Joe's cleverness to get him in again. " The 

 fight's on points," Joe said. " You've outpointed him 

 already and you're sure to get the decision if you go 

 up to him." 



At the end of the fourth, which was a repetition 

 of the others, Eppinger tried to use the same old 

 wheezes, adding : " You're sure of it now, ask Tod 

 Sloan ; he says you'll walk in." 



" I don't seem to see it in the same way as you 

 fellers do," the nig. replied. However, he went in 

 again. After more slaughter, Joe started afresh : 

 " Tliat was a beauty : your man's beaten. Why, he 

 wants to quit now." 



" Does he, boss ; does he really ? Well, send someone 

 to the other feller and tell him to let's call it a draw." 



266 



