The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-12
LOOKED LIKE A LIAR,
BUT THIS WAS A CASE WHERE LOOKS
WERE MISLEADING.

anco with Champion Pugiiiat-Hi
Employer. who Was Used to tho Gloves
Disputed the Claim.
81 was reading clever little skctcl
the other day about man who told big
stories which were not believed by hi
aoQuaintances, and it reminded me o.
an experience l had once when wal
considerably younger, remarked Rob
ert ID. Wilson, the active Orleans county
politician, when in a reminiscent mooC
the other day.
at was like this: About tho frs
contract l ever took was ono TO build {
church in n small town in western New
York near Lake Ontario. My partner
and employed good force of men
and among others a good natured, rather
dapper little Irishman, who applied foi
work shortly after we got tho walk
started.
HE was not a 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
favorito tales was 20 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. Ho ratified of names, places,
| dates and incidents in tho most oifhand
manner imaginable, which, as we had
no means of verifying his statements,
he was perfectly safe in doing. OF
course we took what no said with a
largo 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 hotol,
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
plan for teaching the old fellow les
son. When he was sober, wo knew there
was no chance Of getting the gloves on
him, but no usually got moderately full
on Saturday evenings, and we concocted
a scheme to give him an earlier start
one Saturday afternoon, so that by tho
time supper was over no was consider
ably exhilarated. was Just ont Of
gymnasium at tho time and was con-
sidered pretty clever boxer. The boys
all went to work ut him, and after "a
good many drinks and lot Of coaxing
and cajoliDg they finally got him to put
on the gloves and spar a bit with me.
Sail in, Larry, said. Don't be
afraid TO hit me. Aud winked at the
boys and went at him. Ho was easier
than expected. His guard seemed very
poor, and several times l raped him |
harder than l should, but it seemed a
good plan 10 teach tho old blowhald n |
good lesson. After awhile l got q bit |
tired Of tho one sidedness Of it. l 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 Il
good chinchoppor. lay him out and quit.
SO watched for an opening, and when
saw ono minute later. aimed as
heavy blow as l could strike and lot
go.
well, say, l don't know even to this
lay what became Of that punch, for at
hat moment something struck me on
he mock, and for the next so seconds i
experienced all Of tie sensations Of Don
Quixote when ho had the mix up with
he windmill, fer that little Irishman
vas dancing around me and delivering
lndercuts, overcuts, chin choppers, sido-
earmuls, straight drives and
ong arm body blows faster than could
eel them, whilo paved the air ia an
ttempt at defense.
Il think tho boys said it was az Sec
nds before / was lying in tho corner,
imp aud entirely out, but it was three
ays before | was out---at work again.
was sorry TO find that tho agile little
rishman had disappeared immediately
fter l dropped asleep. lie evidently
cared trouble, but never would have
lado any. In fact, I'd have liked 60
axe few lessons from him, but I've
ever had the mitts on from that day to
ais.
II don't know now whether that lit
10 Iishman was telling tho truth or
OF. but have my suspicious about the
natter. Medina IN. " Cor. New
'ork Press.