The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-18
ConkIing ana Mace.

ConkIing ana Mace. ,'f ;,
During the Senatorial term Of the iato
Zach Chandler he occupied handsome
and commodioas residence on a street.
One Of the rooms was fitted up for gym.
nasium, and here after dinner Zach, usually
spent an hour swinging the clubs and using
the dumb belle. Frequently his Senatorial
friends would drop IN upon HIM. There
were masks and foils for those who found
pleasure III fencing; while for those iuclln-
ed to spar there was an excellent assort-
ment of boxing gloves. Chandler was a
large, burly man, with hand on him
like hired man. lie delighted IN rough
sports, apd was never 30 happy as when
pounding some one or being pounded in
return, with the gloves. Conkling was
almost nightly visitor. He was clover
sparrerr and In the exciting bouts hetween
hlmself and Chandler usual y came off VIC
torious. On, one occasion he Ilnished
Zach so badly in the presence Of doz-
on spectators that the giant Michigan
uer foamed Inwardly with rage, and
swore by all the gods on high Olympus
he would be revenged If 1t cost him his
fortune.
The opportunity came sooner than he
expected. Lawrence Barret was travelling
that season with company OF his own
selection, impersonating a round OF Shak-
sperian characters. In order to invest the
play with as much realism as possible
Barrett engaged Jem Mace, the pugilst.
for one CT the characters. When the COM
pany visited Washington Chandler invited
Mace to call at his house, where he unfol.
ded to him the details of plot 10 ''put Up
a job' on Lord Roscoe. If successfully
carried out Mace would receive substan-
tlal reward. Mace consented. That eve-
ming Conkhng dropped ,as was h wont.
Chandler introduced the pugilist as one OF
his CONSTITUENCIES a lumberman of Michigan.
Conkllng murmured his pleasure It meet
ing any friend OF q sch's, and then he ru-
gilst was grayely presented TO Senator
Blsck, Bayard, Merton and several ott er
gentlemen, among them well-known
newspaper man. They were all in the
secret, and were there by Chundiors ex-
press desire. Zach had planned the affair
with dlabollcal GOODNESS. Not only did he
intend that Mace should "dust the hcors'
with "Conk," but he invited his Senatorial
friends to witness the operation which,
through the journalist, would be read the
next day with loud outlaws by an already
prejudiced public
1t required but little manHuvcrlns to
arrange set to between the New York
Senator and the ''lumbcrman. The lat
ter with blunt candor dsclaimcd any
knowledge of the science; but added tha,
he wah fused to rough and tur' H. fights,
anu Gould give ana take some powerful
blows Conklng smiled screnoly. Here
was foeman worthy of his steel, verite-
bic pugilistlc diamond III the rough, He
would show the assembled spectators how
science could Conquer brute strength. lie
removed his coat and vosr aud tied his
suspenders about his waist. ,s'hey took
their places, Chandler acting as referee.
Maces position was one Of studied awk-
wardness Ha held both hands IN front Of
him, and instead Of bracing himself with
ono leg behind the other, Doth feet were
WIDE apart and nearly on u parallel line.
Conkllng's movements were thr perfection.
of grace. lie tlourshed his fists rapidly
for moment before Mace's face, a I'D then
with "LoOk out for yoursclfl' he struck
a blow ctraght from the shoulder. But
somehow II fell short, The lumbermau,
IN his heavy. awkward fashion, had, by
good luck, 1T seemed, just moved back far
enough to escape It. Coukllng laughed
anu said in patronzing tone, You did
that very cleverly." Il few moments of
sparrluH followed. C,nkIiug saw a good
opening and made for it, but the lumber
man Clumsily avoided it and countered 80
heavily that Conhlmg measured his length
on the floor. fIc came up smiling, how.
ever, and compllmouted the Iumberman on
his extraordinary luck. No, suspicion
entered bis mind.
In the next round Conklug succeeded IN
planting few light blows On his oppc-
nenL's chest, but was Knocked down at tho
copclusion with So Auch force than he was
unable to rise for an instant. When he
rose to his feet it was plain to be seen thai
he was very angry; but he struggled hard
TO contrBl his emotions. He was badly
used up. HIS "hyperion curl''h lost it's
curve and hung limp and soggy on his
forehead. His clothes wcro torn, while
great beads Of sweat rolled down his face
The spectators were ready to shrek with
laughter, but were held in check by old
Zach, who promised them still further
sport. He then signaled to Mace to Ego
ln." Mace did 60 in. He pushed Roscoc5
lie crowded Inn, he pounded him. He
worried HIM so that at last Conkiing drop
ped into chair SO weak and exhausted
that he could no longer retain his legs.
Then the pcnt up merliment of the spec
tators broke forth, led by old Zach hlm-
self. They howlcd and yelled. You could
have heard them block. Slowly the
truth dawncd upon Roscoe that he had
been made the victim of a ridiculous prac-
tical joke. Calmly he drew off bis gloves
quietly he arranged his disordored attire.
Meanwhile The, laughter continued. Hc
cast wlthcrlng glance of scorn and def
ance at MS tormen:ors. and then. with the
dignity Of prince, marched down the
stairs. lie never forgave Chandler, and
would never l!low oven his most Intimate
friends to ''chatf" hm on the subject.