Dorchester High School for Boys - Red and Black Yearbook (Dorchester, MA)

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l bets on the side as to which champion would win. Of course, each factory had faith in its own volunteer. The ninth night arrived. lt was the eve of the show: war workers from both factories crowded into the crude arena, - the deck of an airplane carrier. The evening began with the war bond sale and a few minor entertainers strutting their stuff. Fred anxiously awaited Tiger in the boxer's dressing room. A half hour passed and Tiger had not arrived, Fred began to worry. Another half hour passed: suddenly there was a knock at the door. lt was Tiger. He had his hand bandaged, A'TigerY what happened to your hand?y' cried Fred. 'Al grabbed a hot iron bar: l won't be able to iight tonight, explained the boxer. Bad Luck seemed to be running Fred's way. First, his brother .lack hurt his leg: now Tiger burns his hand. Who's going to iight the fellow from the other factory? asked Fred. Hlt looks as if you will ight him, replied Tiger. Mel exclaimed Fred, A'Yes, sure, you have sparred with me, and l believe you have the makings of a good boxer, said Tiger. This gave Fred renewed courage and he con- sented. He summoned one of his fellow workers to put the gloves on his hands. He walked erectly, and like a trouper down the left aisle to the ring. He crawled under the ropes and spoke to the referee: then he retired to Tiger's corner, awaiting the bell for the bout to begin. The referee announced: Ladies and gentle- men, you have all been patiently awaiting the major event of the evening. Here it is. A boxing match between factory F and factory B. ln this corner representing factory F we have Muggs Merlin. lmmediately shouts arose. And in this corner we have Fred Rafferty, representing factory B. A hush suddenly came across the crowd, followed by low whispers: 'ARaffertyY l thought page sixty-nine

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Faith in dy Qmdd The Ward War Implements Factory Was buzzing: men and Women Were busy at their jobs turning out parts of planes, ships, and guns by the thousands. Through this turmoil a messenger-boy cautiously made his Way. Paging Fred Rafferty! Paging Fred Raffer- ty! he hollered at the top of his lungs, trying to make himself heard above the incessant dim of machinery. At his call, one of the Welders extinguished his torch and raised his metal mask. Over here, son, he answered. A message for you, sir: sign here, he said. Sure, sure. The Welder signed the out- stretched pad and quickly opened the envelope. He read the message enclosed. Dear Mr. Rafferty: Please come to the city hospital immedi- ately. Your young brother Jack, has been injured. Jack, a fourteen year old boy, occupied a modest tWo-room apartment in one of the many tenement houses of the city With his older brother, Fred. Quickly shedding his Working clothes, the tall, blond, broad-shouldered Welder hastened to the hospital. I-Ie found that Jack had been hit by an automobile. A hit-and- page sixty-eight a Voice M Sem run driver, no Witnesses, and no record of registration number. .Iack's leg had been hurt badly. The doctor in charge told Fred that his brother Would never be able to Walk again unless an operation Were performed Within tWo Weeks. The doctor also stated that there Was but one doctor Who could perform such an operation-a Dr. Marcus. Dazed by the tragedy, Fred Went to Dr. Marcus. The doctor asked four hundred dollars for the operation, a trivial sum for this type of Work. Fred realized that it Would take him tWo months to save such an enormous amount. Not feeling in the mood for Work, he never- the less returned. Seeing the Welder's Worried expression, Tiger Mullins, an old time heavy- Weight boxing champion and Fred's best friend, approached the boy. What's the matter, Fred, did something happen? he asked. Fred explained the incidents of the preceding day. Four hundred dollars? Is that all that's Worrying you? I think I can get that much for you, giving Fred a friendly smack on the shoulder. Why, What do you mean you can get it for me, asked Fred. Well the tWo Ward Factories in this district are putting on a show for the Workers. The major event is a boxing match between a volunteer from each factory. The Winner of the match Will receive five hundred dollars. I Wasn't going to volunteer, but seeing as you need the money, I shall, explained Tiger. But I don't Want you . . . began Fred. Tiger. We'll 'ANonsense, I insist, broke in start training tonight. I shall go over and sign for the match this minute. The next eight nights Were gymnasium Where Tiger Was getting in trim for his forthcoming ordeal. Fred sparred a little With the boxer, Watching his every move. The members of both factories made small spent in the

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Tiger was going to light. Where's Tiger? There goes our money. Rafferty? Who's he? There goes my week's pay. The two shook hands. The referee gave final instructions. The bell rang. Then the battle was on. Muggs rushed out with a look common to all fighters,-to finish the light quickly. Muggs was large and trained for fighting. Fred took a bad beating in the first round, and worse in the second. Muggs drove punch after punch into Fred's mid-section, chin, chest, and head. Fred went down, but he always managed to gain his feet before the referee began counting, So on until the seventh round. The crowd was wild. A'Kill him, Nluggsf' A kayo, Muggs, a kayof' A'Finish him. There goes our money. Throw in a towel. We might as well pay off now. Muggs connected a hard left to Rafferty's jaw. Fred went down: a strange sensation suddenly came over him. He no longer heard the cries and yells of the crowd: he heard a voice, a single voice. It was that of his brother Jack. You've got to get the money. My leg! my leg! you've got to win. Stay down till the count of seven, stay down. One-two-three- Stay down, remember how you watched Tiger, stay down. Six-seven. Rafferty was up. Watch his left, watch his left, cried the voice. Here it comes now, up with your left arm and block it: that's it: now across with your right hand. Before anyone had realized what had fplease turn to page eighty-ninej lui mlm'-tlratl U5 11 We ltnow s or New ENGLAND KNOW U F RAD UNDER -G IRE i between f ood will that 011515 E . C1 o Q ng- There ls 'G bodl the smart YOUUQ men Gil Neiifstyinfl 31, Kennedgirdlany Years Qt experiergceiirglsggs ' ' . ..3. . ' Q -f-' T land. for their Special km iven I X I 1 lhelr demands the right time . - P have g yy , if the fight styles qt wardrobe Planning mal THB mcg I 'ol I us C1 Place ln theuh ve And Pfifenls me lug ll indeed Proud to .C 1 oval of Price' 'meh me if Mx ll ' enthusiastic in that Gppr 4 -ffl N ' geared to the times- O P Ll T , T Us uNDEn.G1zAD SH v, KENNEDY'S 1, , 1 page seventy