The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-06-09
DEFENDED HIMSELF.
COST BANDMANN "a HUNDRED AND
FIFTY, BUT WAS WORTH IT."


How Clay Clement Became an Expert
Swordsman-Afterth the Initial Encounter
the Tragedian Forgot All About the Ex-
pensive Training.
Clay Clement il one of the most ex
pert swordsmen on the American stage.
His proficiency with the broadsword is
due to long course Of training which
he took many years ago under rather
peculiar circumstances.
Young Clement carried letter Of in
PRODUCTION to Daniel Bandmann, the
tragedian, and asked for an engage
ment. The old man was charmed with
| Clement = reading Of Shakespeare and
after long elocutionary trial remarked
in rich brogue: my poy, think you
will do You are engatched. But, tell
me, are you able to defent YOURSELF"
"Why, yes; 1 guess So, doubtfully
replied the young aspirant. II don't
know never had "A fight in my life,
but think could take care Of myself
in pinch. "
"Vell, continued Bandmann, you'll
hat to- | yant man who can fight.
Ven / play Richard, Get makes me sick
--pah--if must be kilt by II Richmond
who could not kill checker in real
life Ven am Macbeth, Wy shout be
kilt by a fellow who could not carve u
cheese? / am tired of ct all. You must
defent yourself DO you know the broat
sword?"
"Well, mo- don't" admitted Glenn
ent. 'But couldn't | learn" he added
eagerly.
"Ha, yes-inspee-ra cried Band
mann. You shall learn. DO you know
my frient Colonel Monastery of Chicago?
Nor Netfer mind; gif you letter to
him.
Turning to n writing desk, Band
mann wrote letter of introduction
and filled ont II check for $25.
elf dose to my frient Monastery,
he said, "and he will show you how you
shall defent yourself That check will
pay for % lessons. If you feel you need
more lesson, my letter say you shall
take az many more rs You like and the
bill will pay. But, rememberl You
must fight; il not, 1 think will keel
you-yes.
Clement came to Chicago to begin in
struction. In this city he met several
actors who formerly had been members
of Bandmann' company. They all told
the same story. The tragedian, they
said, was most dangerous antagonist
in stage duel, and very ofen forgot
his surroundings and put up real
fight. If his opponent showed the white
feather, the old man would fly into a
paroxysm Of rage and fight like de-
mon. On more than one occasion no had
completely driven Richmond and Mac
duff off the stage.
These stories scared Clement half to
death. He began to regard his training
rs n life and death matter. undertaken
strictly in self defense. At the end of
tho 20 lessons he felt that no was only
beginner in workmanship, and in
struotion was continued week after
week throughout the entire summer
On the opening night of Bandmann'
next season IA letter was handed to the
tragedian. 1t contained bill "for pro
fessional instruction in sword practice
extra lessons for Mr.. Clement ON nc
count of Mr., Bandmann-$l50."
The old man gasped, "Vot" hi
cried. Are you drunk or am crazy
A hundred fifty tollarl How ees eet,
How can it per"
well, you sent mo to Colonel Mon
stery yourself and gave him carte
blanche to teach mo as long as | needed
instruction.. explained Clement.
''Oh, my poy, my poyw exclaimed
Bandmann. Il sent you to Monastery
yes-but deed not tell you to leevt
with heom.
Suddenly the old man stopped
well. he said, "how eez Get: Can yor
defent YOURSELF"
I'm try" was the calm reply.
$50 will l." sententiously remarked
Bandmann.
That night when Richard faced Rich
mond on Bosworth field there was {
baleful CLEAN i'll tho crooked backet
monarch's eyes which none of the com
pany ever had observed before. II,
sprang Mt his antagonist like n cata
mount; two swords FLASHED and n show
OF of sparks gave evidence of the force
which sent them together. Then follow
ed what was probably the prettiest ant
most scientific sword fight ever seen OF
the American stage. The old man Tough
wickedly, dangerously, desperately. Thu
aggressor, Mt first, he pressed his young
antagonist hard. The air was filled witt
sparks from the circling swords and tn,
clash of steel was almost continuous
Then Clement began work in earnest
Step by step the bloody monarch wa
forced backward, and his blows wer,
parted and beaten down, until at last
from sheer exhaustion, his grip wal
loosened and def blow sent his swort
flying into the wings, A moment latel
Richmond's victorious troops wer,
cheering over the death of Gloster anC
the play was ended.
A couple of solicitous actors helped
Bandmann to his feet Painting and al
most breathless, he flung his arms about
/ Clement, kissed him ON both cheeks and
exclaimed, 1T cost me hundret and
fifty, but it was wort it. Chicago
| Times Herald.
|
In IA church in Dublin the choir was
startled during the singing of the
psalm by the appearance of the organ
blowers head. who shouted: "Sing like
| hlazasi The halloxys il I'm tstedp'