Address all communications to THE STARS AND STRIPES, Press Division, G.H.Q., A.E.F., France.
ALLIES THE FAVORITES IN BETTING ODDS ON BIG WORLD"S SERIES
KID JOHNSON LOSES BELT BY A KNOCKOUT
Fighting Fireman from the Q.M.C. Defeats Champion in One Round.
By BRITT.
An extra long khaki-colored canvas belt, regulation, was turned over this week to Judson C. Pewther, Q.M.C., by Kid Johnson, of the --th Infantry, following a two minute ceremony which ended in a knockout.
Which is to say, "Charlie, the Fighting Fireman," is being hailed as the new heavyweight champion of G.H.Q., A.E.F.
Kid Johnson had whipped everyone in sight at G.H.Q., and was being touted as the champion of Amex forces. He was billed to fight both Pewther and a French heavyweight aspirant the same evening. He had to disappoint the Frenchman--_fini, monsieur, FEENISHED_.
Charlie, ostensibly a modest and una.s.suming fireman in the offices of the Intelligence Section, General Staff, is now recognized as one of the best fighting units in the A.E.F. Report has it that he was one of the best bets on the Border, where he served in the Body s.n.a.t.c.hers--with a long string of ring victories to his credit. He had been out of the boxing game for nearly three years, having married in the interim, but no one disputes the fact that he made a great comeback.
Right Hook Turns the Trick.
The sc.r.a.p took place before a crowded house. The two heavy-weights were evenly matched in height and weight.
Johnson started like all champions, confidently, and let loose a strip of rattling lefts. Charlie faced the fusillade and coolly replied with several vicious upper-cuts reminiscent of Border days. With frequent jabs he rocked the champion"s head, and the crowd roared.
He met Johnson"s rushes with a persistent left. The champion was fighting mad and rushed in for a cleanup. As he did so, he uncovered.
The opening was small but sufficient. Charlie countered with his left, then sent a swift right hook to the jaw. Johnson wilted. Three knockdowns followed. Then the champion took the count.
Fighting Charlie was on the job at Headquarters next morning as usual, showing no marks of the encounter. The pet.i.tes demoiselles, over whom Charlie exercises daily authority, were dumbfounded to learn that their boss was a bruiser. But it is significant that the fires in the Intelligence Section to-day are burning brighter than ever.
New Champion Is Modest.
Pewther was averse to talking about himself, but he confessed to twenty-nine years and claimed Portland, Ore., as his home. A representative of THE STARS AND STRIPES found him the afternoon after the fight seated on a coal-box reading his favorite dime novel--in which he finds a laugh in every line--and wearing the same sized hat.
"I wouldn"t have broken into the game again," he declared, "but I felt that I couldn"t stand by and hear the Johnson coterie putting over their sweeping challenges. It was all right to challenge the crowd, but when all the soldiers of the A. E. F. were included I figured it was up to me to register a kerplunk for the Q.M. Johnson would have been champion yet if he hadn"t tried to take in so much territory. I"m satisfied to be champion, and let it go at that. But if there"s anyone else who wants the t.i.tle he can have it--unless there"s something substantial in it."
Which indicates there may be something doing, as report has it that the doughboys don"t intend to let the Q.M. man walk off with the championship.
A PINCH HITTER IN KHAKI.
Lank used to be something of a baseball player. In fact he"s still on the rolls of a certain National League club and back in 1914 it was Lank"s mighty swatting that won the world"s championship for his team.
Next to General Pershing himself and a few other generals, Lank is about the most popular soldier in France. When his regiment--once of the National Guard--comes swinging down the pike the sidelines are jammed with other soldiers who crane their necks to get a peek at him.
Lank always carries the colors. He"s now color-sergeant.
"So that fella"s Lank, the great ball player," you can hear one doughboy say to another. "Well, I"ll be doggonned. Looks just like any other soldier, don"t he?"
"What you expect to see?" will ask a soldier who has worshipped Lank"s batting average for lo! these many years. "Didja expect to see a fella wearin" a baseball uniform and carryin" a bat over his shoulder? Sure, that"s Lank. h.e.l.lo, Lank, howja like soldiering?"
Lank will look out of the corner of his eye and then, sure that no officer is looking, reply out of the corner of his mouth:
"We"re on to the Kaiser"s curves, boys. We"ll hit everything those Huns pitch for home runs. No strike outs in this game!"
Lank is the life of his regiment. In his "stove league" this Winter he has organized all kinds of baseball leagues and next Spring he"s going to lead a championship team against all soldier comers.
If General Pershing isn"t too busy Lank will try and get him to umpire some afternoon.
STRAY SHOTS.
So Grover Alexander has been drafted? Some squad is going to have a nifty hand grenade t.o.s.s.e.r to its credit, eh, what?
Wonder if John L., when he arrived at the pearly gates and St. Peter asked his name, gave his customary reply of, "Yours truly, John L.
Sullivan?" If he did, we bet he walked right on in while the good saint was still trying to figure it out.
Speaking of the great John L., we suppose that "Handsome Jim" Corbett is the only old time champion who can at all aspire to Sullivan"s place in public esteem.
We seem to know the tune of this anonymous contribution, but we never have heard these words before:
We"re in the trenches now, The slacker milks the cow, And the son of a Hun Must skeedaddle and run, For we"re in the trenches now.