, 1905-02-02

Mike Donovan, lean of the boxers,
got home today from Washington,
where he boxed with President Roose-
welt for an hour every afternoon tor
four days. These were the first of a
series of bouts which continue next
week and the week following, says a
New York correspondent of the Chica,
go Tribune. Donovan talked of his eX,
perience reluctantly.
1T was the firsttime | had boxed with
Mr.. Roosevelt since he was governor"
said Donovan. IF anybody tells you
he's al easy mark, don't you believe
it. He knows how to use his head,
too, | never saw a man pick up faster
than he has lone in these four days.
I'VE boxed every afternoon from
$50 until nearly half-past 6 O'Clock in
his study. A wrestling ma was placed
on the floor for use, but | found it too
thick, and we used a regular carpet.
The president wore a pair of riding
trousers, a light undershirt, and can
vas shoes.
Don't mind hitting me- he said,
right at the startoff. I want you to hit
me as often as you can, and | dom
mind how hard, either
We started off in good fashion, and
| nyp,y- time yyo bit aoob ptbar bo lauyb.
ed good naturedly. 1t was not any tap.
ping, | will tel you. They were good,
honest blows. the sort you wouldn't
run into knowingly. He was quick OH
his feet. We had seven ounce gloves.
The president tool his part of it and
always with a laugh.
Il I've saw a pleasanter man, or
one who gets more enjoyment out of a
thing. He had just as much fun as a
boy, and he laughed M joked all the
time. He's a fighter that knows how
to give and take blows. He doesn't try
to knock a man out, but does like to
know that he has hit him.
He kept me busy, and l was not
running into any of his blows, either.
Don't get the idea l was there to teach
him, not by any a He is a veter,
an boxer, and can hold his own with
the best OF them in the clubs. | know
few men who box regularly at the
athletic clubs who can worst him.
One day he had to rush away to at
tend a diplomatic reception, where he
shook hands with more than 1000 per
sons. He told me he would much pre-
fer to AXE his book and sit down and
read.
Every day while we boxed some
one came in and watched. His boy
Theodore always was there with his
to cousins, football players, and sew
eral times men came in to talk with
him on business while he was boxing,
A man from Texas came in to arrange
about making a hunting trip to Texas
directly after the Inauguration. He
said to me:
o. how | wish it was here now
He was longing for recreation and
the exercise IN the open that it wiz
give him.
Life in Washington has made the
president stout and he is not as well
trained as when he was governor. To
keep down his weight a man must
diet, but it is impossible for the presi
dent to diet because he has so many
dinners to attend. He misses tire
mendously his active exercise. But he
is as 1.-the as an Indian yet and supple
| n every joint, and he a hit like
lightning.
81 have arranged to go down several
more times to box with the president
and give lessons to Theodore, jr.
have taught young Theodore every day
He now is a fine s%trapping young boy
II years old. and weighs 125 pounds
| thought when l first gave him les
sons in Albany that he never would
be a strong man, but he is developing
and will be as tall as his father. He is
a fighter, too and a good hitter. I gave
lessons to his two cousins, besides.
IF | had been an ambassador Mr.
Roosevelt couldn't have treated me bet
ter. He is a magnificent a an al
around man, who Is a good honest
fighter, and has not a vicious streak in
him. He doesn't enjoy the social strain
he has got to go through. l know he
would like to escape it, but 1t goes
with the high Office he holds. and he
never shirks anything-even a good
honest blow"