The members of the Fairmount Athletic Club, of Philadelphia, were mainly
lads under twenty years of age. There were a few older members in the
club to keep everything straight and see that it was run all right, but
the club was organized and conducted for the advantage of lads from
fifteen to twenty-one.
Not a few of the members were sons of wealthy parents, but it was not
necessary for a fellow's parents to be rich in order that he might
become a member. Rich men contributed liberally to the support of the
club, which made it possible for the regular fees and dues to be light,
and youngsters whose parents were quite unknown, but who were regarded
as "all right" themselves, obtained admission to the club.
Although great precaution had been exercised not to let in any one who
would be objectionable, it was impossible to exclude all objectionable
parties, for, after getting in, some of the members showed traits of
character which their best friends had never dreamed they possessed.
Gambling in the clubrooms was prohibited, but cards, billiards and pool
were permitted. There was a fine bowling alley, and the gymnasium was
fitted up splendidly with all needed apparatus. In the reading-room were
all the late magazines and papers, among which were the leading sporting
publications. There also was a good library of books, containing volumes
treating of sports and athletics. On the walls were pictures of famous
amateurs, of matches, contests and races, of all sorts, and of the
members of the club who had made records.
Creighton had opened the club to Frank Merriwell and his friends, all of
whom were led to understand that they would be welcomed there as long as
they remained in Philadelphia.
After leaving the girls at the tennis ground, Charlie and the others
proceeded directly to the club. There they found a number of fellows
assembled, waiting to see Hegner put Burk through his daily course.
Burk was there, a tall, thin fellow, with short-cropped hair and a
bullet-head. There was nothing attractive about his face, and there was
something vicious in his little eyes.
At a glance, Frank saw that the fellow selected to represent the
Fairmounts had many of the characteristics of the professional prize
fighter. He was hard and sinewy, quick in his movements, had a big
knotty fist, and looked as if he could stand any amount of punishment.
Blows would have very little effect on him, unless they were delivered
with skill sufficient to knock him out.
Creighton introduced Burk to the boys, and Frank talked with the fellow.
It did not take Merry long to find out that, although Burk had a father
who was wealthy and moved in good society, the son belonged to that
class of boys who never advance beyond a certain limit, no matter how
much they may be pushed. He had no fine sensibilities, and was
coarse-grained in everything.
"What do you think of him?" asked Charlie Creighton, as they moved away,
after Frank had chatted with the young pugilist.
"Well, you know I have not had sufficient time to form a settled
opinion," answered Merry, evasively.
"Come off!" exclaimed Creighton, quickly. "I know you, and I know you
have sized him up. What do you think of him?"
"To be honest, Charlie, I am astonished to find him a member of this
club."
"Eh? Oh, I know what you mean; but Hank is all right, and his dad cuts a
figure in this town."
"I presume he got in on his dad's reputation?"
"Well, that had something to do with it."
"He looks as if he might make a good professional bruiser in time."
"Well, you know there is to be nothing professional about this affair,
old man. That's on the level."
"How do you manage it?"
"Why, there is a fierce rivalry between the Olympics and Fairmounts.
This club started first, and it rejected a number of fellows who applied
for membership. Those fellows usually were sons of rich parents, but
they had a bad record, and we didn't want them. They got mad and formed
an organization of their own. Their fathers were angry to think their
sons should be shut out of here, and they swore the Olympic should knock
the spots off this club. They have a building of their own, and it is
furnished magnificently. The dues are high, and no one but the son of a
rich man can afford to belong there. It has cost their fathers a royal
round sum to establish the club, and it is costing them big money to
keep it going. At first, they attempted to be exclusive and look down on
the Fairmount with disdain, but that did not seem to bother us, and when
they found it appeared to be just what we wanted, they adopted another
policy. They set out to lead us in athletics, and their men have been
against our men in every event possible since then, while they have
poured out money like water in order to down us. They have not always
been inclined to be thoroughly fair and square about it, either. If they
can get the best of us at anything by foul means, there is no doubt but
they will do it."
"I understand. But you said this match is not to be like a professional
contest. In what way do you mean?"
"Why, it is like this: There is no purse offered, no admission will be
charged, and the victor will win nothing but glory."
Frank looked doubtful.
"I fail to understand how you can carry the thing on in that way. Did
Burk agree to it readily?"
"At first he wanted to fight for a purse, and tried to have it a hard
glove affair; but that would have made it a regular prize fight, and
Fairmount could not stand that."
"I should say not! I believe in boxing, but if there is anything I
heartily detest it is prize fighting and prize fighters."
"I believe I have heard you express your opinion in that direction
before."
"I have expressed it often enough."
"And still you can fight yourself, Merriwell."
"I can fight if it is necessary, and I believe every fellow should learn
to do that, for there will come times when he'll find the knowledge
valuable. As long as the world stands there will be ruffians and
bruisers who will attempt to impose on peaceful people, and there have
been scores of times in my life when I have not found it possible to
avoid a fight. When I have to fight, I sail in for all I am worth, and
do the other fellow up as quick as I can; but I do not like it, and the
chap who does has too much of the brute in him to suit me."
"You have very decided ideas on almost everything, Merry."
"What is a fellow worth if he does not have a few convictions he is
willing to stand by?"
"Not much."
"That's right. I respect a fellow who will fight for what he thinks is
right, even though it may be wrong; but I do not respect a prize fighter
who will fight like a beast for a purse of money."
"Well, there is to be no purse in this affair. I think you will like
Burk better when you know him better. He is going to fight Jackson for
the honor of the club."
"And Jackson--what about him?"
"I don't know. Those fellows can make such arrangements with him as they
like; it's nothing to us."
"You do not expect to stop betting?"
"No betting will be allowed in the clubroom. Of course there may be
betting on the outside. We can't expect to stop that."
"Well," said Frank, "it has a slight flavor of a prize fight, and still
it is not one. What sort of gloves will they use?"
"Six ounce."
"Eight ounce gloves are allowable."
"I know it, but six have been decided on. This is for points."
"And will it be carried out under the rules of the Amateur Athletic
Union?"
"Sure."
"How do those fellows class?"
"Light. Burk's weight is one hundred and forty-six usually, but Hegner
has him down to one hundred and thirty-two now, and says he does not
care to get him lighter."
"I presume two judges and a referee will be chosen?"
"Yes. If the judges disagree, the referee will decide."
"Well, I hope you win the trick, Creighton."
"Oh, we'll do that if it's possible. Hegner knows his business, and he
says Burk can do Jackson."
"I wouldn't trust Hegner as far as I could throw a Texas steer by the
tail."
"That's because you have taken a dislike to him. I will confess that he
is not agreeable sometimes, but it is his way."
"It's a very poor way."
"Yes, I'll admit that; but he was on his guard against you, for he has
heard so much about you. He expected to find that you thought you knew
it all."
"That does not excuse his boorishness."
"Admitted; but still I say he knows his business, and we depend on him
when he says Burk will win. Hegner is the cleverest boxer of his age in
Philadelphia."
"That is saying considerable."
"I mean it, and he'd prove it to you if you were to put on the gloves
with him. I know you are pretty good, but Heg would give you a
surprise."
"He must be good, if you have so much confidence in him. Well, I
sincerely hope your confidence is not misplaced, but there is something
about the fellow's face that makes me suspicious of him. I would not
trust him, and I believe he is treacherous. It is my opinion that he
will try to get something out of this mill some way."
"He is getting something out of it."
"Ah! So?"
"Yes; we're paying him to put Burk in shape."
"It is possible that will satisfy him, but I think he's a schemer. I
tell you, Creighton, you'll find it to your advantage to look out for
Hegner."