The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-07-31


lot of meanings to that Jack. 1t
meant that Jeff needed help. and 1t
meant that you could have taken on
Corbett, too. and 1t meant that you
had beaten Corbett at the kidding
game. In fact, you fought two men at
Reno"
"Is the conversational part Of 1t
considered 80 Important" l inquired.
"It certainly is. ma'am." said Mr..
Johnson. musically. which was why
Mr.. Jeffries had Mr.. Corbett to do
his kidding for him."
A proud and important negress en-
tered with Mr.. Johnson's breakfast,
which consisted of chickens.
Yes, dears, this conversation took
place in Darkest Africa. Mr.. johnson
was chezlui, as they say in France.
How many chickens? Well, there
were two to begin with.
We had hoped-the professor. the
patron of manly sports and Ito find
Mr.. johnson alone; but q champion
like monarch, is never alone, and
there really was certain atmosphere
Of royalty In the clean and well ap-
pointed little restaurant where Mr..
Johnson. watched respectfully and SO.
licitously by many courtiers. chiefly
white. sat down to eat.
Not a trace of self-consciousness,"
whispered the professor, "and eating
under observation is a very severe
test. The man Is either child or a
master Of deportment-I'm inclined
to think the latter. Observe the extra
ordinary economy of effort"
Fully half a chicken had vanished
irrevocably, and Mr.. johnson, with a
lazy air. had seemed merely to wave
his hands now and then. A few swift
strokes with a carving knife had dis.
membered the bird as II by magic, and
the whole of the breast had been alb
sorbed in two leisurely mouthfuls.
The outlying parts were quickly fol-
lowing. Precision, speed, q graceful
rhythm and a deceptive air Of deliber-
alton were the keynotes of this aston
ishing performance. An anaconda alb
sorbing a rabbit couldn't make less
fuss about 1t.
Jack" said the patron of manly
sports. "some of the papers said that
you looked nervous when you first en-.
tered the ring"
Mr.. johnson opened his eyes very
wide, suspended for q moment the
process of deglutition, and looked
plaintively at Mr.. Hart. as II to say:
What calumnies must not the right
eous suffer withal!"
There's nothing to It," said Mr..
Hart briskly. He was kidding and
cracking jokes every second"
Weren't you. honestly. the least
little bit nervous at first?" said to
Mr.. johnson.
mo, ma'am," said Mr.. johnson SOL
EMMY shaking his head. 1--WE never
been nervous In all my life"
Il believe you." said the professor.
slapping his knee.
why should I go and get nerv'
ous?" continued Mr.. Johnson, strip.
ping and devouring the meat from the
last drumstick. when had just ar.
rived at the very place I had always
wanted to be. sitting plumb opposite
to my friend, Mr.. Jeffries, in q TWEEN
ty.five foot ring?"
Picking up the carving fork. he
deftly speared the second chicken of
the dish. held 1t aloft and eyed 1t with
q luxurious smile.
What makes a man nervous" he
proclaimed, lis not being satisfied
Aim never nervous, because Aim
always satisfied
He transferred the chicken to his
plate and attacked it with a zest ap
parently sharpened by the discussion
The waitress reappeared with third
chicken. which she placed before him
1.-THE cook would like to know. Mr.