St. Landry democrat., 1885-05-02
TOM DIGBY's FIGHT.
Which Shows That Science tS
Not all That is Needed.
N. .. States.

MOI long ago SulllVaQs Gu0 SLodL
American nOse-masher and head
puncher, made statement to the effect
that the beauty of pugilism is to spar
for scientific points. 1t is not known
positively, but it is generally believed
that Sullivan considers the nose OF an
adversary to be a scientific point.
This may or may not be true, but at
any rate the assertion recalls to the
which occurred during the bright days
of his boyhood, those happy days when
he had clusters of warts spread over his
hands like the Sandwich Islands on a
penny map, and wore freckles on the
rims of his ears, and score on his
nose.
At that period in his life there lived
in the same neighborhood boy named
Tobe Wilson, who considered it reli-
gious duty to thump the cranium OF
every other boy he came in contact
with. Several very earnest objections
were urged against the indulgence OF
his desire to pummel some other per-
sons head, but he managed to overcome
all objections in such quick and ner-
vous style that he became very unpopu-
lar. In fact, he was SO unpopular that
he could nat have polied two votes in
the precinct, and yet he could have
walked away with the ballot box with
out word of protest being uttered.
On more than one ocsasion Tobe Will
son had distributed fine collection Of
bumps over the youthful but classic
broWs of Tom Digsby, and his friend
and companion the States man. Tom
one day organized society composed
of boys, who had suffered at the hands
of Tobe, and it was determined to get
even with him or to leave town.
The meeting, which was secret, was
held in Toms wood-shed, and ten
gloomy youths with swollen noses and
black eyes sat around on cOrdwood and
Jumps of coal, deyising ways and means
Of Furnishing TObe Wilson for the grief
he had brought into their lives.
In an unguarded moment Tom Digs
by informed the meeting that he had
purchased book for 25 cents, entitled,
'"The Manly Art of Self Defence" and
also two pairs of boxing gloves, and
that he spent several hours each day
studying the rules in the book and SPAR
ring with the gloves, being assisted in
his studies by Jimmy Smith, who re-
sides next door.
As soon as lie made the statement a
motion was offered to elect him a COM
mittee of one to whip TObe Wilson as
he learned all that was in the book.
Tom made several earnest efforts to de-
cline the honor, and appeared to suffer
considerable mental worry when the
nine boys present voted as a unit, and
the chairman announced that he was
unanimously elected.
All those present at the meeting were
sworn not to diVulge that Tom Digsby
was learning how to box. This was
done for fear that Tobe Wilson would
catch him on the street some day and
whale him out of his boots, before he
had chance to become proficient.
Every day for three weeks the boys
would assemble in the wood-shed and
watch Tom and Jimmy Smith sparring.
They noted with pride how Tom would
advance the left foot, and then make a
feint with his left hand, and strike out
with his right and hit Jimmy.
The sparring was generally rough on
Jimmy, because he was given to UNDER
stand that he must allow Tom to strike
according to rules.
Tom memorized each rule in the
book, and as he explained how to de-
liver and avoid a blow, the hearts of all
the boys leaped with joy as a vision of
Tobe Wilson, beaten to a pulp, hOated
through their minds. At last Tom was
satisfied that he had attained the great
est proficiency in the manly art, and
that his prOWess would enable him to
lick Tobe Wilson in two minutes, and
the day was fixed for the battle, and
TObe Wilson was informed that If he
would meet Tom Digsby at certain
corner he would have his head punch
ed.
The committee of nine boys escorted
Tom to the battle-ground at the ap-
nointed time. and found TObe there
waiting patiently. Tom talked loud as
he Deeled off his coat, and advancing
his left foot and fist, dared his opponent
to fight. The challenge was accepted.
Tom. remembering what the book had
told him, raised both fists to the level
of his chin, and made one feint with
his left fist, and that poor lonely feint
was all that he did make, for the next
moment TObe hit him under the ear
and doubled him up like a Barlow
knife, and rolled him on the ground and
pounded him on the back of the head in
q manner that struck terror to the souls
of his supporters.
After pummeling Tom into jelly
Tobe showed a disposition to clean out
the rest of the crowd, but their horror
Of engaging in anything like a street
fight caused them to climb back fence
ten feet high.
The next day we again met in Toms
wood-shed and consOled him as best we
could, and told him that if Tobe Wilson
had followed the rules in the book he
would have been licked TO death, and
that it was mean thing for him not to
do it.
The explanation may not have been
altogether satisfactory to Tom Digsby,
but it convinced the rest of the crowd
4hn4 nnsnr,nn rrnn q rice thinrr in ifa rrnu