Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-24
EVENING STAR,
A SCIENTIFIC sET-TO, AND A PRACrI.
CAL SET-D0WN.

1t was bright, clear, cold, November morn
ing, Biglicks having spare hour, and feeling
ripe for a turn at the bars round the gymnas-
ium, started to 60 there, stopping, however, on
the way 10 pour down pint Of ale. As Big
licks entered the gymnasium, there was a
conscious feeling of muscle all over, a certain
ripeness, a fulness of life, brought out and ex-
cited by ale and frosty air. He felt "good, y"
and as be threw of coat, hat, cravat and
waistcoat, it was done with twitch, as much
as to say, 'Hurrsh clear the track. This is
my "foTte, and I'm about to play the live
liest kind of a tune on those bars, ropes lad
| ders, weights, and so on :" At the parallel
bare he went bringing in the "grassbOpper'
| agony, with forward and backward springs,
and double shutf1es, completely throwing him
self away in the "mild luxuriancen of his
| action, and inwardly thinking chow this
would stun some Of the outsiders" aid wish
| ing he had few for spectators
UnconsciOusly he had ''few," for, as he
| stopped to rest, he noticed standing behind him
| a short, but not very stout man, whose face
| pointed out admiration as accurately as a
clock face does dinner time 1t was Just such
| face as ought to be carved on an admiration
mark As you looked at it, you felt inspired,
| delighted, II showed its carrier had so much
to learn, was so jolly green; his wide open
| mouth was ready to receive gallons of infor-
nation, and his eyes looked as if they'd hold
| dozen elephants, and long for more. All
| this Biglicks noted, at fash but he showed
| not the information in his face 'NOw,"
| thought he, "I'll show our rnral friend some
| thing he never dreamed of before" and
| taking a long preparatory spring, Biglicks
| swung grasshopper, aud with one stretching
| spring reached the end of the bars. 1t was
well done, and the spectator showed such un-
| told amounts of delight at the spectacle, that
| Biglicks walked like "star" in regimentaIs
Wherever he went Spectator followed, and as
Biglicks got through exercising, he passed
into the bOxing-rOom with him. Taking down
| pair of gloves Bglicks cOmmenced putting
them on, and turning to the spectator with an
| air Of mildness tempered with mercy, he asked
him:
Perhaps, sir, you would like to take a
| few rounds, just for exercise? It's quite a
| cool day"
Spectator, at this question, booked as if there
| were chambers to let'' in his brain. He
| evidently did not understand the reason of
putting pudding before his paws
"Boxing," added Biglicks, sis an excel
lent amusement Take this pair of gloves, -
| handing him down pair; "put them on, and
I'll give you a lesson. Shall charge you
| nOthing-just do it for the fun of the thing ="
This seemed to re-asSure Spectator, who,
after some awkward pulling and hauling
contrlve to get one on, all but the thumb
that he couldn manage; the other hand was
| In still worse condition, and as, agreeably TO
Biglick's instructions, he held up his hands,
it gave the idea that his hands had on leather
poultIces, and were broken off at the wrists.
Now, see if you can hit me, strike in ;"
spoke Biglicks; and Spectator, according TO
directions, worked the gloves assiduously and
wildly, but without putting in a blow, and as
Biglicks encouraged him to renew exertiOn,
the leather was well exercised and aired by
Spectator without telling the effect
81 believe thought Biglicks, '.III give
him slight touch in minute, just to show
him what muscle and science can do, 4" and
herewith he planted full blow in Spectators
chest, the astonishing result Of which was a
perfect back summerset by the Spectator, who,
landing on his feet, again came up to the
scratch with renewed Vigor. Biglicks opened
his eyes wide as saucers at the unexpected re-
suit of his blow, and hardly believing his own
eyes, thought he would realize his own sight
aud put in another blow. Head over heels
went the Spectator, throwing one summerset
over another, till he nearly reached the door
Of entrance then returning on a run, Specta-
tor struck position, this time accurate a. a
Professors $, and before Bigicks knew where
he was, had put in two full blows at his head
and chest, and a. Biglicks slightly stopped to
ward off belt blow, Spectator with one spring
Vaulted over his shoulders, and tripping up
his heels, Biglicks fell sprawling on the foor,
having thus received from Spectator. in a
scientific set-tO, practical SET dorm. A burst
of applause from the crowd who had assembled
in the gymnasium brought Biglicks to mis- feet
Throwing off the gloves, he exclaimed:
Z" L knock under Who are yOu?"
" Francois Rarei, at your service" was
the answer