'Two strong men are now exhibiting their prowess in rival Melbourne shows. "Atlas," in company with his sister " Vuleana," is appearing nightly at Richards' opera House, whilst Herr Pagel twists his two cwt. dumbbells at Wirth's Circus. A challenge recently thrown out by " Atlas" induced Pagel to put in an appearance the other night at the Opera House to " take his rival on." The audience were vastly amused at the wordy war that then ensued. It was quite an -unexpected "torn." 'The upshot was that "Atlas" wanted Pagel to put up stuff" and then go ahead with the test of strength. Pagel declined to bet money the event, although quite willing to ahead without it. His wife, from' the stalls, to the amusement of the audience, flourished her purse, and urged her man to "go in und stiffen the other bloke." Subsequent proceedings consisted of a ere storm of mutual abuse. Pagel was duced to leave the stage by a burly constable, who exercised considerable tact in his mission, and the galleryites were deprived of perhaps the most interesting "tum" of the evening, although unprovided by the management.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.