The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-15
THE BOXERS ADVANTAGE.


Two gentlemen we're chatting together
about many things over small bottle in a
club, says the Epoch. One was tall, we'll
built man, whose chief business in life was
to keep himself in good form. The other
was an admiring friend from the country,
who was listening appreciatively to the for
mer's tales of metropolitan experiences.
s'Did you ever hear,'' osked the city man,
aboat the cane racket?' No? Well then I
will tell you about one of the closest calls I
suppose that I ever had. It was O'Clock
in the morning. After the theater dropped
In here at the club and played a small game
OF poker for an hour or two. I did not have
very good luck, and when left the club
hsao had only little change in my Rocaet
of my autograph torn from a pocket check
book.
''It was mild evening in early autumn
and walked along up town at swinging
gait. My overooat was thrown open, show
ing my dress fssS suit and lin in right hand
to the avenues, but to vary the monotony
took occasionally block on the cross
streets in working my way east. I noticed
that there was man following short dis
tance behind me who was very gradually
overtaking me, but I did not think much Of
brushed by me, knocking my cane out of
my hand. It fell foot or 80 in front of me.
''Despite his muttered excuse me- it
passed through my mind in q minute that it
was done purposely. did not wait for q
second thought: ! turned upon him and
jaw. He was evidently taken by surprise
and of his guard, for he fell sprawling into
"Before he had time to recover himself I
stood over him with my right hand olinched
and lifted. Crawl along on your hands
where that cane is lying. he did 50.
left hand 10 on the @ ground Ire reach R out With With
your right, pick up that cane and hand it
to me- He did that too. Once more
said, get on to your feet, clasp your hands,
and hold them out il front Of you He
obeyed sheepishly. Now added. walk
make movement to change from the posi-
ton which have given you I will brain
"a child could not have been more obe-
dent than was this supposed rqfaan. He
in front Of him, slowly, Ike blind man
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 it descend with all
my strength and crack his skull II he showed
the least disposition for funny business.
We advanced this way little more than a
block when We met policeman. To him
delivered over my captive. I accompanied
them to the station house.
Hello said the sergeant at the desk.
lis that you, Jim? What brought you here?'
Il told the sergeant my story, and he
seemed very much amused. He began to
poke fun at Jim for being SO easily run in
by dude in dress suit. Jim's reply was
very complimentary: He amt no damned
chump.'
when the officers went through Jim's
clothes they found a slung-shot in one Of
his pockets, as well as revolver. 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 for some time.
THE sergeant warmly congratulated me
on my escape, and on my rendering valuf-
BILE service to the police department.. It
seems that 'Jim,' otherwise known as
'Pimplv Jim,' was 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 one hiding place to
another he had run across me, and thought
he might utilize me, securing my watch and
ready money. had the pleasure of seeing
him sent up for ten years. I tell you what
it is, it is worth any mans while to know
how to box, especially if he is a man who
knocks around New York more or less at
niont."
To this the admiring friend from the
country gave hearty assent, and ordered
another small bottle