The Washington times., 1894-04-06
Robinson, Cherry & Co.
Twelfth and F SITS. N. w.
TWO LITTLE TALES.

| The prize-fighting craze has captured young
America in Washington. There is sporting
| goods establishment on T street that has been
doing rushing business for the past week in
selling gloves to boys. A well known citizen
living few squares from the Capital is a
great advocate of the manual art. He believes
that every boy should be taught the science
of self defense. He believes that way because
he doesn't know anything about it himself.
Three weeks ago while travelling in Virginia
he got in a dispute with man which led to
blows, and he was, to use his own language,
''badly licked
This gentleman is the proud father of three
boys. He bought each of them a pair of
gloves Saturday and invited a TIMES man
ont to see some fun yesterday afternoon.
These three boys were aged six, eight, and
ten. rope was stretched in the yard, tin
pan brought out tc be used as n gong, saw
dust was sprinkled on the ground, ard the
time keeper was selected. About twenty
boys, of about the same age, were invited to
attend. and they were there with envious ex-
pressions on their faces because they had no
gloves.
'The two eldest bows and brothers were
pitted against each other. They stepped in
the ring and were given their instructions.
They shook hands and time was called"
''Hold on dere," said the youngest brother.
''Were's de blood bucket? Run Chimmie," :"
addressing one of his companions, ''an' git de
bucket" The two pugilists hesitated.
"A blood bucket, why. what is that?' in.
quired the father.
"W'y. don't you know?' said his youngest
''Jeminy, but l fought de commonest jay knew
W at a blood bucket was. A blood bucket is
de nose an de nose bleeds, W at you gointer
do? let de blood spill on de ground? Wy
youse gotter have sumfin to catch de drippins
in, amt DAT so. Ally?'' Ally nodded assent
and all the boys looked at the old man with
an expression of supreme disgust at his ig-
norance on their countenances.
The bucket was brought and the boys re-
sumed their places in the ring. Then the
fighting commenced. and they went at each
other as though a Hatfeld-McCoy feud eX
listed between them. No attention was paid
to the rules. They jammed and punched each
other all over their bodies. and when the gong
sounded they were in no humor to quit. In
the two minutes they had both become very
mad. Their gloves We're hurriedly thrown
aside. and before their father could interfere
they were using their bare fists and fighting
like blind wildcats. Their mother saw them
about that time and she ran out OF the house
and in another moment had both of them in
the house.
The other boys yelled. and to escape his
wifes wrath for permitting them to fight. the
gentleman and father accompanied The TINES
man down town. Hewas still at well-known
cafe at l o'clock in the morning.
]. Earl Wagner, recently of Chicago; C. T.
K. Miller, W. II. Hart and J. A. Russell are
live sportsmen of Washington. They would
rather hear the hounds bark than to listen to
the finest piece of music ever composed by
Wagner's namesake. They would rather see
a baseball game than watch the antics of Con-
gress, and they would give up their tickets to
the best dramatic performance that was ever
acted to go a-flshing.
Yesterday when the sun came out and tenn
pered the air a little, Wagner met the other
three gentlemen named above He proposed
that they go down to the river and see If the
fish would bite. That proposition met hearty
approval. They hurriedly collected their
fishing tackle. boarded the Seventh street
cable and went to the Potomac. Arriving
there MIR. Miller suggested that they get a
boat and row out in mid-stream. The others
objected.
Finally, they agreed to row across the
river. which they did. Wagner. Hart, and
Russell seated themselves upon the bank,
while Miller took the boat. padded out few
yards and anchored his boat He baited his
hook, spat on it, gave it u whlrl around bis
head and threw it out into the waters. Then
he tied the line firmly around mis- hand, lii his
pipe, seated himself comfortably in his seat
ana waited for results.
He didn't have 10 look at his cork very
long. The first thing he knew there was a
mighty pull. He saw at once that huge
something was at the end of the line. In an
instant more Miller was being carried down
stream at a frightful velocity. He couldn't
release himself from the line. and he expected
every minute to find the boat capsized. After
the fish had tired himself OF fooling around
in the waters he made for the bank. The boat
struck shore with terrific force, and the next
minute Miller found himself brushing the
dirt from his clothing He then looked
around towards the wrecked boat. ana there
he saw a sight that nearly froze the blood in
his veins. A catfish weighing nearly 900
pounds was making for him. He got out his
pocket knife and quickly cut the line wrapped
around his hand. By that time the mad fish
was within u few feet of him. He ran as fast
as his legs would carry him and never stopped
until he found a convenient tree. which he
Immediately began to climb. When he
reached the top he looked down, and horrorsl
there was the fish climbing up after him
with all the ease of a squirrel.
He saw instant death, and had about given
up hope when he heard voices. The fish
heard them at the same time. cooked his head
to one side, and listened. Wagner was talk
ing to Russell about the wonders of Chicago.
The fish listened q minute longer to be sure
that he was not mistaken. Yes, it was Wag-
ner's voice. The next thing Miller saw was
that fish making for the river as fast as an
eagle could fly. He couldn't stand Wagner's
blowing about the Windy City.
And for that reason Miller is TODAY. much
to the qualification of his many friends, hale.
hearty, and happy. 1t was miraculous and
narrow escape.