He Met the Champion
Willie Nutt, an aspirant to athletic honors, thinks he sees some easy money when he reads Professor Brawn's notice in the lobby of a theater offering $100 to anyone who will put him on his back. Willie resolves to make a try, and passing a book store observes in the window a volume labeled, 'How to Wrestle.' No sooner seen than bought, and Willie immediately goes into training. Willie reads the book as he walks home, and becomes interested in the passage, 'grab your opponent by the calf of the left leg and force him on his knee.' Willie wants to experiment, and a passing Chinaman, with a bundle of wash on his back, is the victim. The two are soon struggling together, and a lively match ensues until the Chinaman breaks away and runs down the street yelling 'murder' and 'police.' Willie's next victim is an automobilist, stretched out under his machine, hammering at a loose bolt. Willie drags the chauffeur from under the machine, throws down a blanket for a mat and proceeds to lay about the surprised fellow for all he is worth. The autoist resents the attack, however, and Willie is somewhat the worse for the encounter when he is kicked on his way. Willie's other victims are a chap scrubbing a walk, a woman beating a carpet and a young fellow washing windows. Willie gets off comparatively easy with the two former, but when the window washer gets him he hurls him through the window onto a dining table, demolishing an excellent repast. He does not linger long, however, but is hurled out the window again, bruised and sore. After other adventures Willie feels he has had sufficient training and goes to the theater to meet the champion. When the usual invitation is extended the audience, Willie is on his feet and with his valuable book in his hand goes to meet the champion. The following scene is one of the funniest ever. Willie constantly consults his book, and is an easy mark for the big wrestler. The latter finally takes him by the neck, hurls him around his head several times and deposits him on the mat, flat on his back. After some time Willie is able to arise and then and there makes the solemn resolve: 'Never again!'
Cast
