Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-11-22
Gave His Boy a Boxing Lesson.

Mr.. tlnkenblnder, is 10 make VOin-
rade of him. You've got TO enter into
his sports as far as possible and treat
him as an equal. That's the way to
gain his confidence and keep him out
of mischief. Make him understand
you have not forgotten that you were
a boy once yourself. That's what am
going to do with Wesley.
what scheme have you got on hand
now, Lemuel ?" inquired Mrs. Finken-
binder.
Il haven't got any scheme. I'm
simply going to adopt plain common
sense way of doing things. Wesley $
getting old enough now to be of some
account. If l can keep him off the
street by taking some sort of interest
in his amusements and showing him
that he needn't hunt up hoodlums when
he wants to have a good time, maybe
it will do him some good, and it won't
do me any harm.
It was a day or two after this that
Mr.. Finkenbinder, with large paste
board box under his arm, took his way
out to the barn, where his eldest son
was amusing himself by making kite,
Wesley" he said, opening the box
and taking out two pairs of new and
spotlessly white boxing gloves, "how
would you like to develop your mus
cle?" Wesley stared in open-eyed
wonder and said he guessed he'd like
it first rate.
a haven't had pair of them on
for 20 years, said his father. Then
l was rather handy with them. It's
good exercise. 1t trains you to be
quick, he added, removing his coat and
vest and putting on a pair of the gloves.
at hardens your muscles and toughens
your sinews, and there is no telling
when it may come handy to know how
to box. You put them on this way.
He assisted Wesley in donning the
gloves, threw himself in a boxing atti-
tude, and proceeded.
"Now, Wes, this is about the posi-
ton. Don't hold that arm so awk-
wardly. Guard your chest with it,
like this. Throw out the other arm,
so. That's right Keep your shoul-
ders well back, one foot in advance
of the other, your hands up in this
shape, and watch your adversary's
guard. Now, look out, I'm going to
lead.
Mr. Finkenbinder made a pass at
Wesleys head. The boy lodged the
blow, lunged back somewhat awkward
ly, and caught hls father on the eye.
IN, said Mr.. Finkenbinder, slight
ly Disconnected, but coming gamely to
the scratch again, that wasn't so bad
for beginner. Now put yourself
in position as before. You lead and
I'll counter"
Wesley made an awkward feint with
his left, swung his right and landed
hard on Mr.. Finkenbinder's other eye,
you've got it in you, Wes, . said
his father squaring off again, but with
more caution. Now, you lead again
and I'll show you. Here What are
you doingl"
For Wesley had upper cut him on
tie chin.
"You 60 at il so awkwardly, " said
Mr.. Finkenbinder, aiming blow al
Wesley's jaw and catching one in re-
turn on the jaw, that you get inside
fellows guard when he isn't looking
for it. Now, I'm going to land one on
your chest" he continued, moving
warily toward the boy, "and you se'
if you can cross counter, ike this, and
get back at me-
There was rapid interchange oi
blows, a mixing up Of father and son
in one tumultous round, without the
interference Of referee, timekeeper
police or spectators, and at the end O
| it Mr.. Finkenbinder was sitting on th'
floor half dazed, rubbing his eyes witt
his gloves and wondering what allec
his nose. Wesley was dancing aoou
him seesawing his arms back and fortl
in a state Of active preparation for
renewal of the contest.
Mr.. Finkenbinder rose mp, took OF
the gloves, sat down on bag Of oat
and rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.
yves" he said, "is this the first tim
you ever had boxing gloves on ?
"N-no sir," said Wesley. "We'v
we've got a gymnasium at schoo
you know. reckon you didn't hav
'em at school when you were boy.
Marriage" says Cecil Rhodes, tn