The San Francisco call., 1905-08-20

once remarked, 1t is strange
If how few men who carry a cane
are held up"
There is something about
good stout stick that commands respect.
From time to time articles have been
written about the proper use Of the
walking stick in elf-defense. In prac-
tically every case the pupil has been
told to WELD his cane as he would
sword But once let his opponent, by
this method. get a hand on the stick
he viii have an enormous leverage by
which TO disarm its wielder.
1t is. however. TO the Emerald Isle
that one must look to get instructions
on the ways in which the cane can be
most successfully brought into use as
weapon of self-defense.
The vivid literature of boyhood tells
how at the fairs at Donnybrook and
places as well known the fights Of the
factions were the delight OF the coun-
tryside and the number of broken heads
the criterion Of the fairs success There
is more truth than fiction in some Of
these accounts, for years ago the shille-
lah played a most interesting part in
The country festivities
By using a cane as a son of Ireland
would use a blackthorn you can put
nine out OF every ten rufians bent on
z holdup out of business. And before
they are aware you have commenced
70 defend yourself.
The cane. when used this way. is far
preferable to either the knife or pistol.
But 20 use The walking stick success
fully one must practice with it, Instead
l. Lee ba E,ir
are a member OF any OF the athletic
clubs. try a light stick the length Of a
cane. Put on the broadsword mask
and coat and a heavy glove TO protect
the hand, then play "Donnybrook." K"
After few weeks of this kind Of
work one viii find that he has acquired
lizhtaess and speed that are the per-
lection Of grace. For, in order to
successfully defend ones self under
this system he must keep perfect poise.
For outdoor use get q good stout
stick, one that has some weight and
can stand q battering. A good bit Of
oak with the bark on is the besc. Grip
the cane IN the center. laying X along
the forearm. With the left hand push
the cane through the right hand until
the end just extends beyond the elbow,
which viii give the right balance. l.
will be found that the other end, to-
ward the ferrule. VIII be q little longer
than that measured OF.
The only hold is with the thumb. in
deX ard center fingers. 1T is the same
grip that IS used with the foil. Never
grasp the cane with all the fingers, not
even for straight blow. In this case
the third and little fingers are merely
held lightly around the cane 10 steady
81.
The first practice should be with this
hold. going through shadow work OF
the defense and ofrense order.
When the muscles have become sufi-
ciently strong then take on an oppo-
nent. 1t may be a little monotonous to
begin THIS way, but If the muscles are
not accustomed TO the play it is very
easy to strain them so that the hand
cannot be used for some time.
The reason for this grip is that it
gives perfect freedom Of movement to
the wrist. which plays the most i'm
portant part in the whole defense.
The blow that does the most eYectual
work is an upward or straight cross.
which is struck with that portion of
the cane that is measured off along the
elbow. 1t is started either by throwing
the hands upward or as II 10 strike a
blow, bringing the hand across the face
or the opponent
The cane rests on the heel of the
hand and the force Of the blow comes
from all the muscles and the full
weight OF the body along the forearm.
The other blow is wl1h the ferrule end
and is the blow ordinarily struck by
one II he were holding the stick at the
end.
Now that one has heard how TO hold
a cane the next thin- to be considered
is how 70 put II into practice.
Take. for instance. the case OF q
footpad who suddenly sticks a gun into
your face and commands Hands up
You don't stop 10 discuss the matter
but up so your hands. If the gun
is within four feet of you it means that