The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-06-03
TOO MUCH FOR THE CANE RACKET.
A Mans knowledge of the Use of HI
Fists Serves Him Good Turn.

4
A Mans knowledge of the Use of His
Fists Serves Him - Good Turn.
Two gentlemen were chatting to-
geti.er ahoat many things in club.
One was a tail, well built man, whose
chief business in life twas to keep him
self in good form. The other was an
adlniring friend from the country, who
was listening to the formers tales Of
metropolitan experiences.
did you ever hear asked the city
man, sabout the cane racket MOI
Well then, 1 will tell you about one OF
the closest calls suppose that l ever
had. 1t was 1 o'clock in the morning
After the theatre | dropped in here at
the club for an hour or two. When l
left the club / had osaly q little small
change in my pocket.
ut was mild evening in carly au-
tumn, and l walk along up town at a
swinging gait My overcoat was thrown
open showing my dress suit, and in my
right hand L carried fairly heavy
stick did not keep TO the avenues,
but to vary the monotony took occa-
sionally block on the cross streets in
working my way east. noticed that
there was n man following Il short dis
lance behind me who was very gradu
ally overtalling me, but did not think
much of it. As | turned into Thirty
sixth street he brushed by me, knock
ing my cane out of my hand. 1t fell a
foot or SO in front.
despite his muttered Excuse me,
it passed through my mind in a minute
that it was done purposely. | did not
wait for second thought. | turned
upon him and let him have u left
handler right under the jaw. He was
evidently taken by surprise and off his
guard, for he fell sprawling into the
gutter.
Before he had tiy,e to recover him
self | stood over hhn with my right
hand clinched and lifted Crawl along
on your hands and knees, said I, 'un-
til you get opposite where that cane is
lying, He did so. Now said l,
while you keep your left hand on the
ground, reach out with your right, pick
up that cane and hand it to me- He
did that, too. Once more, l said,
get on 10 your feet, clasp your hands,
and hold them out in front of you
He obeyed sheepishly Now. l added,
walk straight along, and If you dare
change or make a movement TO change
from the position which | have given
you l will brain YOU
"a child could not have been more
obedient than was this supposed ruff
fian. lie walked along with his clasp
ed hands held in front of him, slowly,
like blind man feeling his way, while
1 walked behind him gripping with
both hands the appraised cane, in the
attitude of Ajax dcfying the lightning,
ready to let it descend with all my
strength and crack his skull, il he
showed the least disposition for funny
business We advanced this way 4
little more than block when we met
a policeman. To him delivered over
my captive. | accompanied them 10
the station house.
g Hello, said the sergeant at the
desk, is that you, jim: What brought
you heren
Il told the sergeant my story, and he
seemed very much amused. lie began
TO poke fun at jan for being 50 easily
run in by q dude in . aioss suit. Jim's
reply was very complimentary, Ne
Amt no cla.ap.
when The officers went through
Jim's clothes they found slungshot in
one of his pockets. as well as a revol-
yer Had l stopped to pick up that
cane l should no doubt have received
playful tap on my head that would
have left me sleeping on the sidewalk.
THE sergeant warmly congratulated
ne on my escape and on my rendering
valuable service TO the police depart
ment. 1t seems that jim, otherwise
known as 'Pimply Jim. WAS recent
graduate of Sing Sing He celebrated
his return to freedom by committing
house burglary, and the police were at
that time hunting for him, IN going
from one hiding place to another he
had run across me, and thought that
he might utilize me, securing my watch
and ready money had the pleasure
of seeing him sent up for ten years. l
tell you what it is, it is worth any
mans while TO know how to box, espc
cially if he is man who knocks around
more or less at night Epoch.