A SALVATION SOLDIER'S FIGHT

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2698, 26 October 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A SALVATION SOLDIER'S FIGHT

A <:i?rioum phase of the Salvation Army wiir is reported from Charters Towers, Queensland. On September oth in open iiir service wus in progress at Day Dawn Croaaing, about 50 "soldiers" being present, surrounded by a considerable crowd. Some oftho outsiders pressing forward drove.. those nearest upon the " ring" and brought about a collision with the lasses, The captain thereupon threatened "If some of you don't behave «-e shall drop pretty heavily upon you." This led to some chaff from the outer ring, and a soldier promised to give some of them an " Irish chuck out" if they did not keep quiet. The meeting was closed in due time and as the army was maving off a youngster cried out, "Come on and give us an Irish chuck out!" On this a soldier named Johnston struck one of the bystanders, a much smaller man than himself, and they had a rougk and tumble, in which the soldier was getting much the best of it, using his teeth to advantage on the enemy's ear. Another bystander named Marsden, on seeing this, interfered, and demanded fair play. The Captain pushed him back, whereupon Maraden took off bis coat and challenged the captain. Before the latter could say yes or no, a soldier, rejoicing in the title of " Happy Tom " struck Marsden from behind. In a moment the Salvationists ranged themselves on ono side, and called upon their comrade to "let him have it." Happy Tom wanted no urging. His blood was up and he meant business. " Make a ring," shouted the captain. " A ring ! a ring !" howled the subordinates. A ring was made, and into it stepped Marsden and Happy Tom. In the first round Marsden, a much lighter man than the Boldier, managed to punish his opponent severely. Iu the third round Happy Tom got his thumb knocked op, and he hesitated for a moment before resuming the attack. This was the signal for a great outburst of feeling on the part of the captain and his force. "Lord givo him strength," "Dear Lord, help him," roared individual lads and lasses, and in went Happy Tom again. In the fifth round Marsden received a well-directed blow in the chest, and ahouts of "Lord he praised," " Hallelnjah," "Bless Tom," floated in the air. When Marsden obtained an advantage his friends cheered. Up to the twelfth round the fighting was very fast, the falls numerons and the cheering and counter cheering demonstrative. Every time Happy Tom got a blow home the captain and other, soldiers would sing out " Lord be praissd," "Keep our brother safe, Lord," "Give him strength,' " Confound our enemies," and such like expressions. Suddenly a lassie dropped upen her knees and cried aloud, " O Lord protect Tom, and give him strength." The words had scarcely left her mouth when Marsden gave the soldier a heavy whack upon the nose which almost stunned him. From this point prayers and the heavier metal of tne soldier began to tell, and at the 18th round Marsden declared that he had had enough for that night and offered to fight it out in the morning. The captain would not listen to that. "Fight it out, fight it out ,, he yelled, but Marsden's friends protested. The captain wouldn't listen to that on any account, and he was supported in this by his subordinates. "I won't have a draw," he declared. " Get done with it" and " Lick him Tom," were among his utterances, and Marsden had to prepare for another round. The ring was reformed and both men sparred again, Happy Tom looking the stronger of the two, although severely punished. Round 1!) was slow and disastrous for Marsden, who went down amid a scene of intenee jubilation, Happy Tom's comrades jumping about ard calling upon the Lord for special favours. "That's it Lord," " Give Tom strength," and " Hallelujah '' resounded in the air when the fighters faced each other for the twentieth round. The round closed with a knock down, and Mamlcn g.ivo in. "I'll give you best, Tom," he quietly observed, and thus ended tho struggle. The Salvationists crowded round the victor, and a lively five minutes followed. Hand shaking, praying- and cheering was the order the of day, and amid cries of "Glory," " Lord be praised," etc., Happy Tom was escorted off "tho battle field.