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 a.s.sembled, 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 cla.s.s of boys who never advance beyond a certain limit, no matter how much they may be pushed. He had no fine sensibilities, and was coa.r.s.e-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 cla.s.s?"
"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."