Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-21

SAN FRANCISCO, January 2l.-lf Jim
Jeffries is not guarding some secret MS
friends are no judges of human nature.
He is anything but saturnine about H.
but the claim of tradition when Is
popularity supposed to hold the record
for reticence is q blattering chatterpox
alongside the retired champion
He appears to be afraid that ne Will
be wheedled into making some announce
ment prematurely, and he is so much
on the defensive that he Will not an
swer the commonest question until ne
has spent a few moments IN oeep
thought.
What does it all mean? Well, taken
In connection with Jim's evident good
nature and freedom from worry, 1t prop
ably means that he has made up MS
mind to box Jack Johnson, but is de-
termined not to let it be known 1or
while. But let it be known that IL Is
only with a question of pertinent nature
that big Jim fences. On ordinary SUD-
jects he is as garrulous as village
gossip.
jeff Is Feeling Mighty Good.
And he is feeling ''coltish.' His bouts
at the wigwam with Sam Berger have
and in addition to joshins every one he
comes in contact with, he deals out play
full digs and pokes to cronies who visit
him behind the scenes.
Last night Jeff was in a particularly
playful mood which helped to make his
bout with Berger a spirited aHalr- Be
fore the men went onto the stage jim
stood in the wings and worked ms arms
violently explaining that boxing with
Berger had given them slight STIFFNESS
in the shoulders and that he wanted 10
work 1T out.
When they started sparring it looked
as il Jim was still trying to get rid OF
the stiffness referred to, for he dashed
out freely with both fists. Berger could
not put up with any indignities even al
the hands of the retired champion, ana
a lively setto was the result.
The Bout Was Spirited.
Berger redeemed the tip of Jim's nose
with a flush left-hander, and then Jim
threw solid chug into Berger's neck.
Berger's eyes glinted and he dropped a
short right on the big fellows ear.
He tried another, but Jim ducked and
brought his left shoulder against Sam
breast. The contact was sudden and
severe, and it looked as if the footiights
nickered when Sam gasped.
After dipping under some more or
sam attempts, Dig Jill StIdiSHlchou anu
the two heavies raped each other around
the ears couple of times. AS they
parted at the call of time jeff looked
over his shoulder at Berger as much as
to say Now. will you be good?'
The second round was along the same
lines, and Berger got in an extra crack
with the left after time was called.
When they shook hands for the third and
final spasm Berger tried to put in a left
swing before the handshake was COM
plete
Wind-Up Full of Punches.
jeff grinned, and that big left arm of
his, which looks as much like the limb
of a tree as anything. Strengthened, his
glove taking Sam in the mouth. Berger
came back with a smart tap of the right,
and then there was bit of smuggling
which was more business-like than the
boxing that is seen in the average stage
bout.
At the wind-up Eddie Graney, who ref
creed last nights exhibition, received a
wandering wallop from one of the big
fellows, and in an instant Jeff. by the
hitch of his powerful shoulder, made
Graney and Berger collide in such way
that thew went to the floor together.