Adventure Magazine Cover, April 1916 — page 205: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Trap to dwell largely on the details of the com- bat and became suddenly colorless and un- interesting, on the street it was well under- stood that this was because, seeing the bit- terness that the principals had displayed, the promoters had planned to pull off a con- test of more than the legal length and in- terest, and that it was therefore wise that officialdom should not have its attention attracted unduly to what was to occur in Brimstone Bend. The advertising feature was by no means neglected, however. From end to end of two states the word was adroitly passed to all who might be interested that there was to be something big put across in the strip of no man’s land at a near date. Everybody knew that a purse of ten thousand dollars had been raised and that the race track had been engaged for the event. The stands already there would seat, within good view of the ring, a thou- sand or more, and carpenters were at work erecting temporary stands to accommodate over five times that number. A brisk de- mand for these seats at prices ranging from two to twenty-five dollars had developed, and there was no room for doubt that, if the affair was permitted to go ahead without interference, it would be, at least, a financial success for the promoters. The negotiations with Crabbe had long ago been closed successfully, and it was understood that McGuire was faithfully training in St. Louis, while every one knew Young Kelly was putting in much hard - work at Riley’s, and was already in the pink of form, daily beating up his sparring part- ners, of whom his one-time antagonist, Kid Walcott, was one of the most devoted. But the climax of public interest was yet to come. It had been announced that, at least a week before the great date, Marty McGuire would appear at Fort Jones and proceed to finish his training there and get used to the climate. Every one was natural- ly anxious to see the great fighter in action, and get a basis of comparison between the two men. As yet there had been little betting, for most people took it for granted that Kelly had very little chance against his terrible antagonist, and the odds were therefore so prohibitive that few cared to take the short end of any bets. Now, betting odds fre- quently give a line on public opinion in other ways, and there was therefore some danger 203 that the idea of Kelly’s easy defeat would become so widely diffused as to kill a great deal of the desire to see the fight. The welter-weight’s confidence in himself caused the promoters to welcome the coming of McGuire, for they reasoned that no com- parison could be so unfavorable to Abe as the popular mind would, of itself, assume. @) flutter at the doors of the hotel, and several negro bell-boys had a battle royal in their frenzied efforts to get to the curb and assist the occupants of a motor-car into the lobby. Surrounded by the dusky brigade, a large and prosperous gentleman who smoked a black cigar and fairly scintillated with jewels stalked into the hotel. Behind him, eying the gaping crowd superciliously, strolled the hero him- self. There was no doubt that it was McGuire in person, with his manager, for the pages of the Police Gazette, much in evidence among the enthusiasts, contained his pictures in various poses. And it was strikingly easy to recognize the flesh itself, in the light of the pictorial counterfeits. Yet, so unreasoning is the crowd mind, there was hardly one in the fast-gathering mob of spectators who was not disappoint- ed. Not one of them but knew that the man was a light-weight and must, there- fore, be small, but nearly every one had reasoned rather from his reputation than ONE day, sure enough, there was a ‘from obvious facts, and so all expected to see something very imposing. If McGuire had lived up to expectations he would have had to fight as a heavy- weight. As it was, he produced a shock in his admirers. He was barely five feet and a half tall and built slenderly. The effect of his pygmy proportions was enhanced by the coat he wore. It was of a style so late that fashion had not yet caught up with it. It started at his neck and continued to his knees with- out a waver in the exact shape of a funnel. It was about fourteen inches in circum- ference at the collar and as many feet at the bottom. The arms of it sloped from the shoulder-line along the flare, and in order to preserve its proper aspect, it was necessary for its wearer to acquire the habit of hold- ing his limbs out from his sides. Those limbs terminated in stubby hands, hidden under bright yellow gloves, with CoMmicboooks CO