Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-11-24
ACTORS MUST BE FIGHTERS
At Least Must Be Able to Put Up q
Good Exhibition with tho
fEGloves."

A retired ACTOR started gy gymnasium
on the West side of town about six
months ago. 1t was his idea to cater
exclusively to members of his profess
sion. He was surprised, says the New
York Sun, at the number of applica-
tions he received. To-day he has a
membership of nearly 100, composed
of actors in local companies. Two SIM
liar gymnasiums have been opened, and
they seem to be thriving.
The chief exercises taught are box
ing, wrestling and fencing. Expert in
structors are employed and they re-
ceive good salaries. Boxing and ,fenc-
ing seem popular among the actors.
This is due to the fact that the mod
ern drama requires that the actors
should have knowledge Of these arts.
Besides, they serve to keep them in
condition.
Recently a well-known professional
pugilist who is starring in melo-
drama written to order was confront
ed with the task of selecting an act
or to play the part of the villain in
the show. The 1ole called for six
footer, capable of holding his own in
a sparring bout The prize-fighter,
who has the reputation of being one
Of the stiffest punchers in the bust
ness, visited one of these gymnasiums
and asked the proprietor to recon-
mend to him capable man. After
looking over his list of members, the
proprietor suggested middle-aged
actor who had been on the stage more
than 20 years, and was once star
himself. The pugilist was introduced
to the actor, who proved to be very
strong and broad shouldered, and of
the required height. So, without fur
Their questioning, the actor was en-.
gagged.
At the initial rehearsal the first
thing the pugilist did was to throw n
pair Of gloves at the feet Of the act
or and invite him to a bout. The
actor, somewhat surprised, picked up
the gloves, and, in apparent timjd
fashion, began to adjust them.
II suppose you know you are to he
the villain in my show" said the
fighter, carelessly; with wink to his
friends. I'm this play you make
strong stall for ny girl. I win her
out, and then we have fight. Now,
as my friends want to see me in &C.
ton, I've got to give them the real
thing, or as near it as"
The sentence was not finished, for
at this juncture the actor filed a pro-
test. He said he was not prepared for
a strenuous bout, but would not mind
friendly tilt.
That's all right" said the bruiser.
II won't hit you very hard, but you
know we've got to mix it up or fake
it good enough to set the gallery 60
ing and get the applause. Sect"
- Whether the actor saw or not is not
recorded. But he soon got ready.
The gloves used for the trial were or
binary boxing mitts Of about seven
ounces. While the scrapper was busy
fixing his costume, the actor quickly
showed the padding from the back of
his gloves toward the fingers, away
from the knuckles, SO as to give
firmer impact to the blow, an old pu-
gilistic trick, and announced that he
was ready for business. Then actor
and fighter went at it.
At first the actor seemed trife
nervous, but he soon began to do
nobly. He blocked all of the bruisers
leads, landed couple of drives on the
stomach and on the head, and alto.
gether made himself very useful.
The fighter was agreeably surprised,
but professional pride prevented him
from going into ecstasies over the act
or's showing. He told the candidate
that he would do, and he was sure
would improve before the season was
over. The actor and the pugilist un-
derstand each other now, and their
nightly essay has the essence of the
real thing about it.
Most of the theatrical stars and lead
ing men know how to box. Some of
them are experts and some of them,
if they choose, would not have any
difficulty in holding their own in the
fastest amateur company.