Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

Every Tuesday "I don't quite get your meaning?" Don answered. "I'm making you a proposition I don't make to any raw kid. Every- body knows me—I'm managing the coming champion. What I've done for him i can do for you." "Are you asking me to leave Bill?" Don said sharply. "Jusl that!" was the blunt reply. "Well, you're wasting your time." Don's answer was just as blunt. Madigan shrugged his shoulders. "There's my card. If you change your mind you know where to find me. Good day." A moment later Bill Adams came rushing into the barn. "Don, v hat was that crook after?" Don smiled. "Nothing. Only told mo you wore a dud, and that I was wasting my time with you. If I had nothing better to do he would be pleased for me to join his string. I said ' nothing doing ' !" "One day I'll lay my fist across his kisser." Bill Adams was wrathful, "lie would como nosing round when I'm dead broke." Don started to do some skipping. "Have you pacified the landlord?" "No!" Bill answered. "Swears he'll out me if I ain't got the brass by to- morrer noon." He scratched his head. "I think he means it this time!" Harry and Pat made their appear- ance and slated that they had also seen the landlord, who had threatened to take the goods and chattels of the Adams School if ho did not get his money "Isn't there some lad round here I could light?" suggested Don. "We've got to get some money," cried Bill. "And if we had some dough we could issue a challenge, but one can't fix; a purse if you ain't got a cent to put in it." "The local lad is Sailor Dan," said Hurricane. "He ain't so hot. It took him iwo rounds before ho could knock me out." BOY'S CINEMA "And that was only ten years ago," chimed in the mournful Pat. "You could beat the Sailor easy," decided Bill Adams, looking a trifle more hopeful. "I'd like to fight at Banbury," Don said eagerly. "They've got some grand stained-glass windows there. They say- that some of the red is made from blood and " "I got enough trouble without you going nutty," shouted Bill. "Stained glass! You tell me bow to get some dough ! If only " He broke off to snap his fingers. "Got it! Harry!" He jumped round. "Listen—you "get the kid set for a match against the Sailor—any time within the next four weeks. I'm off promoting." He fished out a card. "Mrs. Stafford said that she was interested in our Don, so I'm just going to touch her for sonic money." "But supposing " began Pat. "Don't you worry." Bill Adams was full of a.-surance. "I'll just hypnotise her with my personality." Bill got out his best suit and tie—a loud check and a yellow abomination. By bus and foot he reached the house of ilrs. Stafford and found the lady was home but engaged. Bill informed the butler that Mrs. Stafford had told him to look her up and insisted that the man take in his name. In the lounge sat Mrs. Stafford, and she looked a pleasant figure in her neat riding kit. Curiously enough, the person with whom she was engaged was Madi- gan. "I guess I've got a world's champion in Williams." boasted Madigan. "lion about coming in with me? I've not dome so bad for you in the past." "Yes, we certainly made a bit on that French feather-weight until he got swollen-headed—then we lost a packet." "This time I'm taking no chances," the man assured her. "Nothing's going to stop Williams." "That's the (rouble, Madigan," Aunt Fanny gave him a straight glance. "It's a business with you—but it's a sport with me. I don't think we exactly fit. and your venture doe- not " There was a knock and the butler en- tered. "Yes, James?" "A Mister Adams to sec you, madam." He saw she was puzzled. "A Mister Bill Adams." "Oh, show him in." "Now I can make you a tempting proposition." argued Madigan. "Let's settle it before your fair-ground friend butts in." Aunt Fanny did not like his tone. "Stick around—plenty of time to talk that over." Bill Adams breezed into the room lint he pulled up sharply a right of t lie other visitor. "You've met Mr. Madigan?" said Aunt Fanny. "Yes. I've had that displeasure." "Well. What's on your mind?" 'Mrs. Stafford, you were good enough to say you'd be interested to hear about young Don." Aunt Fanny nodded. "Sure! How's the kid shaping?" "He'8 getting better every day." muttered Bill Adams, quite aware" of the sarcastic leer on Madigan's fate. '"He takes to the game' like a tee- totaller takes to water." " W'hen's his first fight ?" Bill Adam, twisted hi, ha! in his lipnds. "Well—er—that's what I've come to see you about. I'm thinking of hiring the Banbury Town Hall and promoting a match with Sailor Lew "Lewis is small time." Mrs. Stafford knew everything about the world of boxers. "But he'- a scrapper—oughta give the kid a good fight." "Say. have you gone crazy," Madi- gan tame round to stand in front of her. "Why ua-te your time listening to this cheap little fair-ground faker?" "Would you mind if I punched him on the nose?" Bill a^ked. Don came slowly out of. his corner to face the rushing Sailor Lewis. March 14th, 193G.