Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-03-26
HIS AUNT HANNAH
Nephew Demonstrates to Her
Advantage of Knowing
How to Fight.
By c. B. LEWIS.

years old, because he was one Oh neT
nephews.
Al the age of nineteen he entered
college, and three years later he
graduated as a lawyer He was tax
ing a rest and looking around previous
to seetng up for himself when Aunt
Hannah discovered something that
made her shiver in horror. She had
heard no complaints of the young
mans conduct while he was al col
lege, and no policeman had ever ap-
peared at the house to warn her that
Ray was whooping it up when away
from her motherly influence.
The young nan had caller one
evening in the person of an old class
mate. They smoked and talked. They
talked about straight jabs, uppercuts,
right hand swings and other things
belonging to the Greek language. The
door of the room was open and Aunt
Hannah heard them. Later they as
cended to the garret. She crept part
way up the narrow stairs and saw
and heard. She saw them don box
ing gloves and punch each other
around the big room III tiercest fash
ION, and also make use of terms she
never heard before, not even in con-
nection with state prisons and ward
caucuses.
When the visitor had departed Ray
was summoned to the frozen presence
Of Aunt Hannah, who began:
Il wish to ask you, sir. what an
upper-cut it?'
"Why-Why," he stammered in his
surprise, IAN upper-cut is when you
bring your fist up from beneath and
land on the other fellows chin
And what is straight jab?"
1T Is meeting the other fellow full
In the face with your fist when he
comes at you"
And didn't hear something about
rights and swings?" she continued, as
she sat in Judgment like member Of
the supreme court.
You swing with your right, this
way anu coiiClihiCo hhoSh eA'S
fellows head off"
And what were you and that young
man doing up in the garrett"
I'VE had the mitts on for a few
rounds, to keep in practice"
"Mitts? Mitts?"
Boxing gloves, you know"
"Ah! You learned this at college,
did you? While ! supposed you were
putting in all your time at your stu
dies, you were hard at work learn
ing to be a prizelghter, eh? Instead
of graduating a lawyer, ] have, 1t
seems, added to the number of loafers
who pound each other about for
money"
Come, now, aunt" protested the
young man, but boxing is a part OF
the gymnasium work at every col
lege."
IF | had known that they trained
young men to be prize fighters you
would never have gone to college
Never invite that or any other young
man here again. ! want those boxing
gloves burned up this very evening"
But, aunt"
Not word, sir! II anyone had told
me that you were a thief could
business must stop right here. II
here is any more of it | shall alter
my will in favor of those nephews
who are gentlemen, even If they don't
know any too much
The gloves were handed over to her
and sent downstairs to be cremated
in the furnace, and the visitor did not
call again. What did happen was that
Ray Wheeler attended the nearest
gymnasium instead. 1t was an almost
daily practice, and Aunt Hannah
would have been none the wiser but
Tor a tale bearer Her coachman wan
Ray hard at work. and an hour later
he spinster was in possession of the
fact She felt that she had been de-
lied and her wishes passed by, and
faced the young man.
Didn't | tell you how Mortified |
was?" she demanded.
Yes, but"
And that | wanted no prize fighter
in my family?'
Yes, but you see"
And that if there was any more of
it | should change my will? If you
learned this at college you must have
learned other Objectionable things.
haven't heard you swear, and | don't
know whether you chew and drink or
not, but | am ready to believe you do.
had built up great hopes around you,
and to have them shattered In mo-
ment io something hard to bear"
But, aunty, if only you would let
me explain" replied the young man.
One needn't be a prize fighter or a
tough because he knows how to box
1t is taught one 80 that he can defend
himself if need be. You see"
"a gentleman always carries cane
to defend himself with"
But a cane may be forgotten. Sup
pose was going down the street and
was accosted by two or three"
II cant possibly suppose any such
thing. A loafer recognizes gentle
man when he sees one and let's him
alone Ray you may go to q hotel
for two or three days. / want time
to think things over. When have
come to a decision / viii send YOU