Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-17
LOOKED LIKE LIAR.
BUT THIS WAS A CASE WHERE LOOKS
WERE MISLEADING.

WERE MISLEADING.
A Little Iriahman Who Claimed Acquaint-
ance With . Champion Pugilist-His
Employer. Who was Csed to the Giovca
Disputed the Claim.
Il was reading a clever little sketch
the other day about a man who told big
stories which were not believed by his
acquaintance, and it reminded me of
an experience I had once when was
considerably younger, remarked Rob-
ert ID. Wilson, the active Orleans county
politician, when in q reminiscent mood
the other day.
1T was like this: About the first
contract ever took was one to build a
church in a small town in western New
York near Lake Ontario. My partner
and I employed good force of men,
and among others q good natured, rather
dapper little Irishman, who applied for
work shortly after we got the walls
started.
HE was not skilled workman, but
a good, active helper, and he struck me
at the time as being one of the most en-
tertaining and cheerful liars it had ever
been my pleasure to meet. One Of his
favorite tales was to the effect that Re
was for three years trainer and boxing
partner of the famous pugilist Jem
Mace and had seconded the one time
champion in two Of his most notable
battles. He ratified off names. places,
dates and incidents in the most offhand
manner imaginable, which, rs we had
no means of verifying his statements,
he was perfectly safe in doing. OF
course We took what he said with a
large grain of salt and enjoyed drawing
him out.
lone thing about tho old fellow
struck me as peculiar-we could never
induce him under any consideration to
join in any Of the friendly little spar
ring contests which we occasionally in
dulged in at tho little country hotel,
after our days work was done. BY 10
subterfuge could We induce him to stick
his hands in the big mittens, although
he was always present ut our exercises
and took delight in making sighting
comments upon our skill.
"ThiS got rather monotonous after
awhile, and we set about devising a
plan for teaching the old fellow a les
son. When no was sober, we knew there
was no chance Of getting the gloves on
him, but he usually got moderately full
OH Saturday evenings, and we concocted
a scheme to give him an earlier start
one Saturday afternoon, SO that by the
time supper was over he was consider
ably exhilarated. was just out Of a
gymnasium at the time. and was con-
sidered a pretty clever boxer. The boys
all went to work at him, and after a
good many drinks and lot Of coaxing
and cajoliDg they finally got him to put
on the gloves and spar q bit with mo.
Sail il, Larry said. Don't be
afraid 10 hit me- And winked at the
boys and went at him. He was easier
than expected. His guard seemed very
poor, and several times raped him
harder than should, but it seemed q
good plan to teach tho old blowhard a
tired of the one sidedness Of it. regis.
tered about every time found an open
ing, while the Irishman's punches were
all wild and Of no account. Finally !
decided that we had had fun enough
and made up my mind to give him a
good cLinchopper. lay him out and quit.
So watched for an opening, and when
I saw ono a minute later. I aimed as
heavy blow as I could strike and let
go.
well, say, I don't know even to this
day what became of that punch, for ut
that moment something struck me Oh
the neck, and fer the next so seconds I
experienced all of tie sensations of Don
Quixote when he had the mix up with
the windmill, for that little Irishman
was dancing around me and delivering
undercuts, overcrts, chin choppers, side
winders. earmutfs. straight drives and
long arm body blows faster than could
feel them, while paved the air in an
attempt at defense.
Il think the boys said it was AZ Sec
ends before l was lying in the corner,
limp and entirely out, but it was three
days before / was out-at work again.
/ WAS sorry to find that the agile little
Irishinan had disappeared Immediately
after l dropped asleep. He evidently
feared trouble, but never would have
made airy. In fact, I'd have liked to
take fow lessons from him, but I've
never had the mitts On from that day to
this.
81 cont know now whether that lit
sic lrishnan was telling the truth or
ac:. but have my suspicious about the
matter. Medina IN. W Cor. New
York p.ess