The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-11-14
ATHLETIC EXERCISE.
The Pleasure It Affords--The Disad-
vantages of Amateurs.
Two Things which Ordinarily Deter
Man from Bcsinniug-Teetota
Ism Not Necessary-Nevcr
Too Late.
New York Dali

New York Dali
The other night well-known athlete who
has demonstrated his superior physical
strength and skill by coming off victorious
IN over 200 contests Of sparring, running
rowing. and tugging, said: "If men who do
not take exercise only knew its delightful
effects, they would not long be without
them. Two things ordinarily deter a
man from beginning athletic exercises that
will amount TO anything. They are lazineSs
and bashfulness. The last is tbs stronger in
fluence. 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 a 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 inwardiy laughing at him,
and may be-and this, of course, is worst Of
all-pitying him. As matter OF fact, the
men around him are too much engaged in
their own projects for self-mprovement 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 TO make one deter
lence, and once they, too taste the benefits of
exercise, they will be 10th to give them up"
"A great many of the unnitiated suppose"
said the listener, who had just observed the
athlete drink his fifth glass Of champagne,
that man who gets into the athlete bust.
ness must give up all his small vices, and il
he wants to be any good must totally abstain
from tobacco and stimulants"
The athlete, who talked very entertain
ingly, smiled n little and replied: "A man
who is willing to work need not be a teeto-
taller. There, for instance, is Ned Hanlan.
Ned will come down to New York and lead
the whole party in making a night Of it.
Early in the morning, whether he has been
to bed or not, he will surely be rushing around
in a Harlem boat thouse, hurrying the boat
keeper, and saying: For heavens sake, get
me into boat quick! My heads bigger than
a house Then 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 it gave him. Now, there's
another man-Sullivan. He won't do that.
IL he would he need not have blasted his rep
utation."
"Do amateurs ever attain tie same ath-
letic perfection as PROFESSIONALS" asked an
other listener
"Very seldom" was the reply (the speaker
began his career as an amateur. That
question was mooted once, at a time when a
crew Of Harvard oarsmen were making ex-
ceptionally fast time. A match was made
betws zen them and a crew of professionals
The latter rowed out to the turning stake
boat, rowcd back, rowed around the college
men, went out around the stakeboat again
and won easily. The reason for the supe
riority Of professionals l. that they are all
self-reliant When they work together they
know the imperative necessity Of obeying or
dsrS, but at the sane time they are all gen.
erals themselve', as We as their com
mander."
what do You think of gymnasium exer-
cises" the athlete was asked.
"1hat sort Of thing alone amounts to very
little. Man is naturally ambitious, and he
needs competition to stimulate him. Row
ing is a good thing. The oarsman sees an
other, and he tries to see IL be can beat him.
The boxers contest is even more exciting"
II ut one who wishes TO excel in physical
exercises should begin when very young
should he notf
"Not too yourg. Boys are injudicious
overdo things, and do themselves lasting
injury. Some CT the most successful pro-
fessional athletes never began to develop
themselves until they were matured."
"Now, am 81 years old. Would II not be
pretty late in the day for me to put on the
gloves or the 81 iked shoes" persisted the
last questioner.
The atble smiled at his eagerness and
caused hope to spring within his breast by
saying: "Some men who have gone way up
az boxers, oaISmen and runners never
thought OF adopting such professional until
they were over "a. You have read OF great
scholars VIII never began their mental stud
les, and great book authors who never wrote
their first chapter until they were much
older than that" When the disciples who
had been sitting and learning at the feet Of
this physical Gamaliel went away, there was
a stern purpose expressed in strong CLEANS Of
their eyes TO become Hanlans, Hazaels, or
Sullivans Of the future as quickly as their
daily drudgery, and Office hours would