Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-08
Handy With Her Fists.

In the latter part of October. 1881,
John Clark, boxing-master in this
city, received message at the hands
OF Q boy stating that lady desired to
see him Immediately on important bus
mess. Clark was then engaged in CIV
ing his usual morning round of lessons
to dozen or more pupils, and sent
back word that he would not be at lib
erty for couple of hours but would
then await the lady's pleasure. He
carelessly tucked the perfumed note in
his belt, and went on punching the
heads Of the embryo boxers. One of
them was young physician, astalwart,
handsome young fellow, whose athletic
sports during his college life were not
forgotten after m. D." had been add
ed to his name. He noticed the inter-
,ruption and its cause, and in spirit of
mischief made up his mind to secure
the tiny billet. Adroitly loosening the
drawing-string of his glove, he clinched
with his instructor, struggled for a few
moments and dropped his glove over
Clark's shoulder. Then it took but a
moment to secure the note and conceal
it. The boxing-master was entirely in
nocent of what had happened, and after
the course of lessons had been conclud-
cd, dressed himself and went out to
keep the strange appointment. He
missed the note, but thought nothing of
it. On the corner of Eighth and Vine
streets he met the boy who had deliv-
cred it. and was conducted by him to a
handsome dwelling on prominent
uptown thoroughfare. What happened
then is told best in Clark's own graphic
language.
Il was shown into beautifully fur
nished parlor." said he. land greeted
by lady probably thirty years of age
To put it all in one word, she was q
beauty, and no mistake. Her hair
well, to tell Just what it was like can't.
but it was light in color and fine as silk.
Let that go. however, but wait till l
tell you how she made ME hold my
breath. i believe you teach boxing
said she, just as nice as could be.
'Yes'm,' says I, 4 do And you can
make person good boxer in few
daysP' In few weeks says l. cor
recting her. Now, them says she,
after waiting a minute. do you think
you could make boxer out of me in
that timer
! swell. 1 was struck. Flabbesgasted.
IL. What in the world handsome
wd2an, living in an elegant house,
wanted to learn boxing for. couldn't
imagine. I thought she was joking.
and said so. No. indeed. Mr.. Clark
she says, a little angry, Il mean Just
what 1 say. want you to give me
bS.vate lessons, and before we get
through I'll tell you my object
ITO make long story short, l un.
dertook the contract. and in thirteen
days she could handle the gloves pretty
well. She was strong and wanted to
learn. 1t was on the thirteenth day,
think, when she told me her purpose.
which you may think was about as fool
ish as it was strange. NV husband
said she, lis inclined to seek the society
of other ladies. and he is especially at
tentive to a schoolgirl friend of mine.
whom we knew before we were mar
ried. love my husband. and would
not for the world do anything to injure
him. Still. l want TO give him a les
son. and mean to do it in this way
that is. intend to give him thor
ough thrashing if he PERSISTS in paying
attention to this girl, and she isto come
in for share Of it, too. Now, you
know why want to learn to box
at was rather fishy yarn, wasn't
ite" continued Clark. laughing. land
to tell you the truth, l didn't take
much stock in it. Still business is bus
mess, you know. and l kept on for
another week. The young woman
could then stand up and give and take
like a good 'un. gave all these les
sons at the house in the afternoon,
after l got through with my regular
morning sweat One morning l
dressed as usual. and after going down
stairs, met one of my pupils, a
young doctor standing at the door. He
seemed to be very angry. Look here