The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-18

"Good afternoon, said the stranger. in a quiet, cultivated voice.
 Would you mind. telling me what you are doing on my waliT'
 stNot in the least" replied the beard ed man, rising buoyantly into full view and subsiding again with the rhythm of wave.
 ''well, what are you doing7''
 Taking little exercise.''
 By this time, having reached the end of the wall, he turned and came back, making the step with his right leg in stead of his left. Sedgwick hurried downstairs and out into the roadway. The stranger continued his perform ancee silently.
 s'Do you do that often?'' he asked presently.
 The gymnast paused, poised like a Mercury on the high coping. ''Yes, 2 said he, ''otherwfse shouldn't be able to do 1t at all. It is in pursuance of a theory of self defense
 What in the world has wall hopping to do with self defenseT'
 .'I shall expound," said the stranger in professional tones, taking a seat by the unusual method of letting himself down on one leg while holding the other at right angles to his body ''Do you know anything of Ju1utsu7''
 Very little"
 \ ''In common with most Americans. For that reason alone the Japanese system is highly effective here. not SC effective in Japan You perceive there the basis of my theory.
 No; don't perceive 1t at aIl.''
 "A system of defense is effective in proportion to it's unfamiiiarity. That is all.''
 Then your system consists in step ping up on a wall and diving into Obscurity on the farther side perhaps, 2 suggested Sedgwick ironically.
 Defense, said, not escape Es- cape is perhaps preferable to defense, but not always so practicable. No; the wall merely served as temporary gymnasium while I was waiting for you
 You have distinctly the advantage of me" said sedgwick. with a frown, for he was in no mood to welcome strange visitors.
 'ATo return to my theory of self de fense," said the other imperturbabIy My wall exercise serves to keep Timber and active certain muscles that in the average man are half atro- phied."
 He rose on one foot with an ease that made the artist stare, descended, selected from the roadway a stone Of ordinary eobble size and handed it to Sedgwlck.
 ''Let that lie on the palm of your hand," said he, land hold it out, waist high 7
 As he spoke he was standing two feet from the other to his right Sedg- wick did as he was requested As his hand took position there was a twist i of the bearded man's 1.-the body, a sharp click, and the stone, flying in a rising curve, sWished through the leaf age of lilac fifty feet away.
 How do you do that?" cried the artist.
 The other showed slight 1ndenta- tion on the inside of his right boot. heel and then swung his right foot slowly and steadily up behind his left knee and let it lapse into position again. 'sAt shoulder height" he ex- plained, eI could have done the same, but it would have broken your hand.''
 T see. said the other, adding with distaste, 'sbut to kick an opponent. Why. even as boy was taught''-A
 We were not speaking of child's play,' said the visitor eooIly, 'tnor am concerned with the rules of the prize ring as applied to my theory When one is in danger one uses knife or gun, if at hand prefer less deadly and more effective weapon. Kicking side wise, either to the front or to the rear, I can disarm a man, break his leg or lay him senseIess. It is the special development of such muscles as the sartorius and plantar1s. owe you this explanation. I hope you won't prosecute for trespass, Mir. Long-Lean- Leggy 6edgw1ck."
 Cro be t.ontinued.o