The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-08-13
DEFENDED HIMSELF.
COST 5ANDNANN "A HUNDRED AND
FIFTY, SUI WAS WORTH lT.p

How Clay Clement became an Expert
swordsman-Ansr a. Initial Encounter
the ~TIagsdian Forgot All About the Ex-
p.nsise Training.
Clay Clement is one Of the most ex-
pert swordsnen on the American stage.
His proficiency with the hioadsword is
due 10 a long course Of training which
be took many years ago under rather
peculiar circumstances.
Young Clement carried letter Ct in
PRODUCTION 10 Daniel Bandmann, the
tragedian, and asked for an engage
mcnt. The old man was charmed with
Clements reading Of Shakespeare and
after a long elocutionary trial remarked
in "A rich trogue: My poy, | think You
will do. You are ,ngatched. But, tell
me, are you able 10 defent YOURSELF
why, yes; | 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
III "A pinch
''Vell." continued Bandmann, you'll
hat 10. | want "A man who can fight.
Ven | play Richard. Get makes me sick
-pah-if | must he kilt hy a Richmond
who could not kill a checker in real
life. Ven | am Macbeth, w shout | be
kilt by "A fellow who could not carve a
cheese? | am tired of ct all. You must
defcnt yourself. Do you know the broat-
sword:''
"Well, mol don't" admitted Glenn
ent. ''But couldn't | learn:" he added
eagerly.
"Ha, es-inspee-ration" cried Band
mann. lyon shall learn. Do You know
my frient Colonel Monastery Of Chicago:
No? Neffor mind; | gif you a letter to
him."
Turning to a writing desk, Band
mann wrote a letter of introduction
and filled out "a check for $50.
"Gif dose to my frient Monastery"
he said, land he will show you how You
shall defent yourself. That check will
pay for 20 lessons. II You feel you need
more lesson, my letter say you shall
take as many more as you like and the
bill / will pay. But, rememberl You
must fight if not, l think i 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's company. They all told
the same story. The trngedian, they
said, was a most dangerous antagonist
in "a stage duel. and very ofen forgot
his surroundings and put up "A real
fight. If his opponent showed the white
feather, the old man would fly into a
paroxysm Of rage and fight like a de-
mon. On more than II occasion he had
completely driven Richmond and Mac
duff off the stage.
These stories scared Clement half 10
death. He began to regard his training
as a life and death matter, undertaken
strictly in self defense. At the end Of
the 90 lessons he felt that he was only
a beginner in workmanship. and in
%struction was continued week after
week throughout the entire summer.
On the opening night of Bandmann's
mex season a letter was handed 10 the
tragcdian. Ii contained "a bill for pro-
fessional instruction in sword practice
extra lessons for Mr.. Clement OH ac-
count of Mr.. Bandmann-Sl5O."
The old nan gasped. "Vot!' he
cried. Are you drunk or am ! crazy?
A hundred fifty tollarl How ees eet:
How can it pei"
We'll, you sent me 70 Colonel Mon
stery yourself and gave him carte
blanche TO teach me as long ms | needed
instruction, . explained Clement.
"Oh, my poy, my poy!' exclaimed
Bandmann. II sent you to Monstery-
ycs-but deed not tell you to loeve
with heem."
Suddenly the old man stopped.
we'll, T" he said. "how eez Get: Can you
defent YOURSELF"
III try, was the calm reply.
$50 will L. sententiously remarked
BaDdmann.
That night when Richard faced Rich
mond on Bosworth field there was a
baleful CLEAN in the crooked backed
monarch's eyes which none Of the com
pany ever had observed before. He
sprang at his antagonist like a cata-
mount; two swords clashed and a show
er of sparks gave evidence of the force
which sent them together. Then follow
cd what was probably the prettiest and
most scientific sword fight ever seen on
the American stage. The old man fought
~wickedly, dangerously desperately. The
aggressor, at first, he pressed his young
antagonist hard. The air was filed with
sparks from the circling swords and the
clash Of steel was almost continuous.
Then Clement began work in earnest.
Step by step the bloody monarch was
forced backward, and his blows were
PARTED and beaten down, until at last,
from sheer exhaustion, his grip was
loosened and a deft blow sent his sword
flying into the wings. A moment later
Richmond's victorious troops were
cheering over the death of Gloster and
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. III cost mo "A hundrst and