The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-22
LOOKED LIKE A LIAR.
BUT THIS WAS A CASE WHERE LOOKS
WERE MISLEADING.

Little Irishnnn Who Claimed Acquaint-
ance With Champion Pugilist-His
Employer. Who Was Used to tho Gloves,
Disputed the CInim.
81 was reading clever little sketch
the other day about man who told big
stories which were not believed by his
acQuaintances, and it reminded me of
an experience I had once when was
considerably younger" remarked Rob-
ert D. Wilson, the active Orleans county
politician, when in reminiscent mood
the other day.
contract ever took was one to build
church in u small town in western New
York near Lake Ontario. My partner
and employed good force of men.
and among others good natured, rather
dapper little Irishman, who applied for
work shortly after we got the walls
started.
''He was not skilled workman, but
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 he
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 tho most offhand
manner imaginable, which, rs we had
no means Of verifying his statements,
he was perfectly safo in doing. OF
course we took what he said with
large grain Of salt and enjoyed drawing
him out.
Zone thing about the old fellow
struck me rs peculiar-we could never
induce him under any consideration 10
join in any Of the friendly little spar
ring contests which we occasionally in
dulged in at the little country hotel,
after our days work was done. BY no
subterfuge could we induce him to stick
his hands in the big mittens, although
he was, always present at 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 les
son. When he was sober, we knew there
was no chance Of getting the gloves on
him, but he usually got moderately full
on Saturday evenings, and we concocted
scheme to give him an earlier start
one Saturday afternoon, so that by tho
time supper was over he was consider
ably exhilarated. I was just out of
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 cajoling they finally got him to put
on the gloves and spar bit with me.
-'ASail in, Larry said. Don't be
afraid to hit me- And winked at the
boys and went at him. He was easier
than expected. His guard seemed very
| poor, and several times L raped him
harder than should, but it seemed n
good plan to teach the old blowhard a
good lesson. After awhile I got bit
| tired of tho one sidedness of it. / regis
| tered about every time / found an open
| ing. while the Irishman's punches We're
| all wild and of no account. Finally
| decided that we had had fun enough
and made up my mind to give him a
good chinchopper, lay him out and quit.
So l watched for an opening, and when
l saw one IL minute later, aimed as
heavy blow as I could strike and let
go.
well. say, don't know even to this
day what became of that punch, for at
that moment something struck mo on
tho neck, and for the next 80 seconds
experienced all of tho sensations of Don
Quixote when he had the mix up with
the windmill, for that little Irishman
was dancing around me and delivering
undercuts. overcnts, chin choppers. side
winders, earmuffs, straight drives and
long arm body blows faster than 1 could
feel them, while paved ths air in an
attempt at defense.
Il think the boys said it was az sec
onds before 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
1rishman had disappeared Immediately
after dropped asleep. He evidently
feared trouble, bnt never would have
maoo any. In fact, I'd have liked to
take-a few lessons from him, but I've
never had the mitts on from that day to
this.
II don't know now whether that lit
tie Eishnan was telling tho truth or
not, but have my suspicious about the
matter. Medina IN. - Cor. New
York Press