Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-06-12
TOO MUCH FOR THE CANE RACKET.
4 Mans Knowledge Of the Use of Hi
Fists serves, Him "a Good Turn.

Two gentlemen were chatting to-
gether about many things in a club,
One was n tall. well built man, whose
chief business in life il was to keep HIM
self in good form. The other was an
admiring friend from the country, who
was listening to the formers tales of
metropolitan experiences.
did you ever hear, asked the city
man, about the cane racket No!
Well, then, | will tell you about n of
the closest calls | suppose that ! ever
had. Ii was | o'clock in the morning.
After the theatre | dropped in here mt
the club for an hour or two. When ]
left the club | had only a little small
change in my pocket.
1T was a mild evening in early au-
tmmn. and ! walk along up town at Il
swinging gait. My overcoat was thrown
open showing my dress suit, and in my
right hand | carried a fairly heavy
stick. did not keep to the avenues.
but Ia vary the monotony took occa-
s~ionnlly n block on the cross streets in
working my way east. ] noticed that
there was a man following n short dis
tance behind me who was very gradu-
ally overtaking me, but ] did not think
much of it. As | turned into Thirty
sixth street he brushed by me. knock
ing my zane out Of my hand. 1t fell n
foot or SO in front.
Despite his mnttered Excuse me-
it passed through my mind in a minute
that it was done purposely. ! did not
wait for a second thought. | turned
upon lin and let him have "A left
handler right under the jaw. He was
evidently taken 10y surprise and of his
guard, for he fell sprawling into the
gutter.
Before lie had tiIue to Gov lin.
self ! stood over linn with my right
hand clinchrd and lifted. Crawl along
on your hands and knees said !. 'un-
I'll you ct opposite where that canc is
lying lie did SO. Now said !,
while you keep your left hand ON the
ground, reach out with your right, pick
up that cane and hand it 10 me lie
did that, too. Once more. said,
get on to your feet, clasp your hands,
and hold them out in front Of YOU
He obcyCd sleepishly. Now ! added,
walk straight along. and If you dare
change or makea movement Ia change
from the position which | have given
you ! will brain you
"A child could not have been more
obedient than was this supposed ruff
iian. lie walked along with his clasp
ed hands held in front Of him. slowly.
like a blind a feeling his way. while
| walked behind Him gripping with
both hands the appraised cane, in the
attitude of Ajax defying the lightning,
ready to let il descend with all my
strength ard crack his skull. IL he
showed the least disposition for funny
business. We advanced this way a
little more than a block when We met
a policeman. To him ! delivered over
my captive. accompanied them to
the station house.
Hello said the sergeant at the
desk. is that you, Jim' What brought
you hereF
Il told the sergeant my story. and he
seemed very much amused. lie began
to poke fun at Jim for being so easily
run in by a dude in a dress suit. Jim's
reply was very complimentary, Me
amt no chmnp.'
when the officers went through
Jim's clothes they found a slungshot in
one Of his pockets. ms well as a revol.
Yer, Had ! stopped to pick up that
cane ] should no doubt have received "A
playful tap on my head that would
have left me sleeping on the sidewalk.
''The sergeant warmly congratulated
me on my escape and on my rendering
valuable service To the police depart.
ment. 1t seems that Jim otherwise
known as 'Pimply jim was a recent
graduate Of Sing Sing. He celebrated
his return to freedom by committing a
house burglary, and the police were at
that time hunting for him. In going
from n 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. !
tell you what il is, II is worth any
mans while TO know how to box, espe-
cially II he is "A man who knocks around