, 1884-10-07
ATHLETIC EXERCISE.
The Pleasure It AffOrds--The Disad-
vantages of Amateurs.
Two Things which Ordinarily Deter
a Man from observation-disclosures
ism Not Necessary-Never
Too Late.


RNNAI AkAN n AZ va AAg WV
has demonstrated his superior physical
strength and skill by coming of victorious
in over 200 contests OF spArring, running,
rowing. and tugging, said: III men who do
not tak exercise only knew its delightful
effects, they would not long be without
them. Two things ordinarily deter a
mar from beginning athletic exercises that
viii amount TO anything. They are laziness
and hashfulness, The last Is the stronger in
auence. A man does not like to get out in
the open in "A boat or even In his clubs gym
nasium, or on its cinder path for the first few
times. He is painfully self-conscious- He
knows that his skin is white as n woman's,
and his undeveloped muscles do not CORFU
gate the smooth, round symmetry Of his
limbs. He thinks everybody is looking at
him, perhaps inwardly laughing at him,
and may be-and this, Of course, Is worst Of
all-pitying him. As n matter OF fact, the
men around him are too much engaged In
their own projects for self-improvement to
give him more than one thought They look
at him, size him up, conjecture the possibili-
ties of his athletic future, and dismiss him
from their thoughts. As for the lazy men,
all most Of them want Is 10 make one deter
mined effort 20 resist the temptation Of indo-
lence, and once they, too, taste the benefits of
exercise, they will be 10th to give them up
"a great mnny Of the uninitiated suppose"
Sid the listener, who had just observed the
athlete drink his fifth glass OF champagne,
that a man who gets into the athlete bust
ness must give up all his mail vices, and IL
he wants to be any good must totally abstain
from tobacco and stimulants.r
The athlete, who talked very entertain
ingly, smiled a little and replied: "a man
who Is willing 10 work need not be n teeto-
taller. There, for instance, Is Ned Hanlan.
Ned will come down 10 New York and lead
the whole party In making a night Of il.
Early in the morning, whether he has been
TO bed or not, he will surely be rushing around
in a Harlem boat-house, hurrying the boat
keeper, and saying; For heavens sake, get
me into a boat quick My heads bigger than
a house Thea out he goes and works like a
steam engine, sweating enough before he
gets through TO almost sink his boat When
rubbed down, he can forget the night before,
except for the fun II gave him. Now, there's
another man-Sullivan. He won't do that.
II he would he need not have blasted his rep
utatlon.r
do amateurs ever attain the same ath-
letic perfection as professionally asked an
other listener.
very seldom,H was the reply the speaker
began his career as an amateurl. "That
question was mooted once, at a time whom a
crew OF Harvard oarzmen were making ex-
eel tionalry fast time. A match was made
between them and a crew of professionals.
Tn latter rowed out 10 the turning stake
boat, rowed back, rowed around the college
men, went out around the staksboat again
and won easily. The reason for the sups-
riority Of professionals Is that they arr ali
self-reliRnt. When they work together they
know the imperative necessity Of obeying or
ders, but at the same time they are all gen
erals themselves, as vol as their com
mander."
what do you think OF gymnasium exer-
cisesf' the athlete WINS asked.
That sort Of thing alone amounts to very
little. Man Is naturally ambitious, and he
needs competition to stimulate him. Row.
ing il "A good thing. Tho oarsman sees an.
other, and he tries TO see II he can beat him.
The boxers contest is even more exciting
"But one who wishes to excel in physical
exercises should begin when very young
should he notf'
"Not too young. Boys are injudicious,
overdo things, and do themselves lasting
injury Some VI the most successful pro.
fessional athletes never began to develor
themselves until thoy woro matured."
"Now, 1 am "a years old. Would II not be
pretty lite In the day for mo TO put on the
gloves or the spiked shoosf7 persisted the
last questioner.
The athlete smiled at his eagernsss and
caused hope to spring within his breast by
saying: "Some men who have gone way VI
as boxers, oarsmen, and runnen never
thought Of adopting such a professional until
they were over 30. You hnv read of great
scholars who never began their mental stud.
les, and great book authors who never wrote
1T A. N.wN.~ ..,Nt ST.. -
older han that" When the disciples who
had been sitting and learning at tho feet OF
this physical Gamaliel went away, there wa
a stern purpose expressed In strong CLEANS oil
their eyes to become Hanlans, Hazaels, OF
Sullivans OF the future as quickly as theiI
daily drudgery, and office hours would
permit.