Fought For His Wife

"Bill, I must siiy that yon ought to be ashamed of yonrself. "I don't seo why, Mrs. Collins." "You don't see v,hy? You must bo is blind as a bat." "liut I hopo that I am not so tough." "Oh, go on away, Bill, and don't bother me." Mrs. Collius was a widow. She ownsd a farm in southern Arkansaw, stood high in tho society of the neighborhood, ind, was consequently happy. BiTl Spotts was an eighteen-year-old boy. Eío had fallen in love with Mrs. Collins nd, as the neighbors expresscd it, was dead set upon marrying her. Alihoiigh ordered to go away, and although tho manner as well as the svords of Mrs. Collins plainly indicated that tho boy was casting his time, yet, andaunted, he lingered in that rich ibundance of hope which for a timo ■uvmii;iii en youth along tho road of tifo. "I will not go, Mrs. Collins, until I have had a satisfactorv answor. " "I toldyou nol" "But 'No' is not satisfactory." "Now, look hero, Bill, I want you to go away and let mo alono. í'vo ïot work to do, I want you to uniers tandt" "Oh, I understand, and I am perfeetly willing to help you do your work." "Bill, why don't you marry somo younggirl?" "Becauso I want to marry you." "Why do you want lo marry mo?" "Because I love you." "Why do you love me?" "Because 1 can't help it." "Am 1 so handsomo as all that?" "You are the prettiest thing I ever saw. "You aro complimentary, I must say, but a man- or ratker a boy should be sensible as well as complimentary." "I think the pcrsistency with which I nrsre ray suit shows my sonso." "It does pot; It only shows yourpighcadedness." "Yon are equally pigheaded." "My goodness, boy, go on away from here and lot me see a monient's peace." "Then I woald be otornally miserable. Say, Mrs. Collins, wiil you pleaso stato your objections to mo." "You aro too young. My son Dan is as old as you are. He is equally aa largo and I haven' t the least doubt but ho could whJp you right novv. A stepson should never bo able to whip his stepfather. Dan is always hungry for a light, and to thresh you overy day would bo the delight of his soul. That would bo embarrassing to me, for no woman likes to see her husband wnipped." Bill reflected seriously. "I had not thought of that," hesaid. "Say, Mrs. Collins, wo might niake a compromiso with Dan." "No, such a thing would bo impossiblo, for Dan has often aaid that ho intonds to whip tho man I niarry." "1 respect your objections, Mrs. Collins, but I do nol intend to be chcated out of my rights." "Wbatcanyou do?" "I must whip Dan." "Impcssible." "No, it is not impossiblo. ï'll toko boxing and wrestling lessons until I can down him every timo. Then Le wilJ res-pect mo." "Now, Bill, I'm going to be frank. I love you - nevcr mind, sit down. I wlll aití you all 1 can, and when I seo that you are ablo to whip Dan, I will marry you." "Enough said," Bill joyously exclaimed. "I will go at once and seo that boxing man." CHAITER II. Hauk Jasper, a retired boxer, lived about tw,p miles from tho Collins place. Bill cnlled on him and explained his urgent need of list soience. "1 can soon givo you muscle and slight," said Jasper. "Th reo lossong a wcoli íor two months wul lix you all rlght. Oí courso, Til havo to chargo you prctty well." "Oh, never mind thc cost," Bill replie(i. "Well, wc'll begin atonco. " Bill, with an ardor which such a causo would naturally inspire, bogan the work of preparation. Ho hung up a saml-bag in his room, and with charcoal, drew on ono sido of it, what ho conecived to bo a likeness to Dan Colhns. "Now, Mr. Collins," he would say, as he rollcd up his sleeves and squinted at the bag, "I am prepared to give you anotker mauling. Don' t want mo to marry your mother, eh? Don't think that I am entitled to tho rights of an American cilizen? Reckon you have told your mother that you intend to whale me, ch? Well, we'llsee." Then he would dash at the pretended imafirc of the youth who stood botweon him and his heart's desire, and, it m;iy bo stranjro to say, he was 1ways successful. Jasper took great interestin the student and so far forgot his professional etiquette as to let the youth into somo ot th deepest fecrets of the science. He assuved tho lover that he could not fall short of victory, and, on seycral occasions, shook hands with him in a most congratulatory manuer. Ocoday, just before the two months of training had expired, Bill, while ridlng ;ilonr the road, met young Collins. "Say, Bill, ma tells me that you want to marry her." "Yes, what have vou got to say aboiit it?" Dan laughed. "What havo I got to say about il, why colifound your hido, do j'oti suppose that I would allow such a ping ugly as you are to marry my niother? Why, I'd have to cali yuu out early overy mormng " "Whatfor?" "To take your whipping."' "It would take a better man thau you to whip me, Dan Collins " "Yos that's what you think, but hftnever you feel like trving your hand, just come over and ï wfll givo you a few touobes that will show you xïIki's hi tli(; lield." "lan, blowing amounts to nothing, but say, if I whip you fairly - whip you tintil }oa are satisfied. will you then Ajrras'that if 1 marry your mother you wii' behave yonrsolf ?" "Y.3S." "All right. Lot's Bee: Supposo that w iiivo oaeh other a Irla] next Saiurdly"' "l'm willinir." "Shall it be private?" "No, we want to invite all the neighbors." "All right, and to make the thing more binding, wo'llhave papers drawn up, stating the object of the contest. These articles of agreonient shall be read before the contost begins, and judges froni tho crowd shall De selected." "That suits me." CHAPTKK III. The arrangcments wero completed. The noighborhood was greatly excitod. Hundrods of tomporary benches, forming an arona, wero constructed. Although thecrops wero not "laid by," people from all parts of the country flocted tosee tho conibut. The noighborhood band, coniposed of threo hddlers, two banjo pickers and the agitator of a triancle, took an assigned position and soothed tho crowd with sweet symphonies. Bill had cordially invitodïrofeessor Jasper, but tho professor, declaring that such scenos were a boro to him, deolined. Time was called. Handkerchiefs lluttercd. Everything bore a tremulous aspect. Bill was dressed in a red flannel shirt and a closely litting pair of cottonade trousers. Uan wore a hickory shirt and nankeen trousers. The band played "Nigger on tho Woodpile," an inspiring tune, and then tho combat began. Both young men capered in the agüe movement orimprovcd scicnce. l$ill cauglit Uan uuder tho jaw, but quickly recovering hirnself, Dan knocked Bill down. Then thero was dancing in iniperious haste. Tho combatant3 llow at each ether, but neither oue could secure a conquerineadyantage. At last, however. Dan got Bill down vnd bumpod his devoted head against the face of the earth. Bill inodcstly rcmarked that he had onough for one titneonly. Dan let him get up, and the jndges announced that the widoVs son had gained tho victory. "Mrs. Collins," aaid Bill when the crowd had disperscd, "I am in hard luck. If my arms wero as strong as my love, 1 would have knocked Dan over into an adjoining township." "Don1 1 despair, Bill." "Oh, now, sweet thing, ï shall devote myself to study and will try him again." When Bill went to his room ho saw, with the eye of an artist, that the sandbag picture of Dan was not correct. The iirst thing he did was to wash off tho incorrect lines. Thon ho drow an other picture, in whieh he gave particular prominenco to the nose, romembering that Dan's nasal feature was of more than ordinary size. The next day Bill callcd upon Professor Jaspor. "Professor," said ho, "I was downed." "I am sorry, Billio, but wc must try it ngain." "Professor, I don't see how it is that an uninstructed man can uso his hammer so disastrously." "Main strength, Billie. Main strength can hold out for a while, but it must finally givo under. Pay me what you owo and take a dozou moro lossons." Bill paid tho professor and again Bubmittad to ngid training. He loarned many new dives and, after a while, thought that his scienco could certainly overeóme Dan's strength. He sent Dan a note, stating that he desired a light at an early day Dan replied as follows: "Jvly dear, unprospectivo atep-father: I whipped you once and I can whip you again. I atn willing to give you every possible chance and willdo anything for j:ou oxcopt let you whip me. For this lack of gallantry I earnestly beg you to excuse nio." Bill raved when he read the note, and going into bis room, mauled tho sand bag. CnAPTEK IV. The time for auother battle was appointed. The crowd was even larger than tho crowd which first assetnbled. The band, with the aJdition of a coonskin tambourino, made thrillingmusic. This time Bill wore a blue shirt. His step was firrn, his courage indomitable. Dan smiled upon the young ladies and declared tb at he was conüdont of success. Bill, remembering the words of the professor, feit happy. He knew that uncultivaled strength could not long stand up against science. When time was called each mail slepped proudly into the arena. BiU caught sight of the widow's face. A great hope swelled within him. Bill aimed a blow at Dan's nose. Dan dodged, jumped, wheeled his leg around and knocked Bill down. Bm scrambled to his fcet and seized Dan. Then, as they waltzed in great hurry, the band played "Hail Jerusalem Homo." Bill feil, but unwilling to acknowlcdge defeat, he squared himself and again entered tho oncounter. Dan moved around with a grace that surprised everyone. Tho muscles in his arms bulged out tho sleeves of Uis shirt. At an auspicious time, lïill knocked him down, but beforo tho advantago could bo seizod, he sprang to his feel and gavo Bill a blow that brought to view many stars hitherto undiscovered. The audience became almost frantic with excitement. Leading plantors bet bales of cotton the result, and many dollars changed hands. Evidently both men had greatly irnprovcd; for whilo Bill hnd improvod in science, it soemed that Dan had irnproved in strength. The result was sad. Dan, catching a curious hold of Bill, threw him. He struck the ground with a loud sound, as though a strong man had struck the bare earth with a board. Bill struggled frantically, but was foroed to acknowledge that he was beatón. "Bill," said tho widow, when tho noisy crowd had dispersed, don't give up yet, for you know that 1 lovo you." 'I will never give up. Tho dying sun of future ages will iind mo lighting for the womau I love." "Dan's strength is remarkable, but 1 think that you must oventually wear him out." "I shall continuo, sweet widow." CHAl'TKH V. Again Bill called upon tho professor. "I don't understandit," said the lover. "I know that I havo iniproved, but wny cannot I conquor him?" "Ah, my dear man," the professor replied, "the hardest thing in this world to overeóme is strength: Scionco is wouderful - it cnables a man, aftor a while to come off victonous, but at lirst it stands - or rather falls," he addedin a whisper, "in soro disadvantage. About ten more lessons, I think, will finish tho gentleman. Pay me what you owo and we'll begin the third course." Bill paitl liim and took up the finishing touches of his degree. Ho noticed that tho noso on tho sand-bag was not quite prominent enough, and with improved artistic skill, ho drew a picture that could not fail to represent his enemy. Other tired men went to bed, but Bill, persistent man. fought the bag until the rooster shook niniself and declarod that daylight had come. Thinking that he was undoubtedly capablo of vanquishing Dan, Bill sent him a challange. Dan replied as follows: "I am glad that you appointanothor day of strife. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to whip a triend. I have given you sevcral opportuuifies, still, you have not marned niy mother. VVhy should you delay a" marriage that promises suuh bappinessf I had always thought that ;i lover was ardent, but 1 must say that your laxity, or rather your weakness has astonished me. Why don't you go away BOtnetvhere and submit yourself to severe training. If I wanted a woman I would be wilang to üght for her.1' Bill snofted whon he road the noto. Ho rushed intohisroom, made thenose' on the sandbag moro prominent and mauled tho thing in afrightful mannor. He was so successful that a buoyant hopo 8wcllcd within liirn. ïho day for the battlo was appointed. Tho nows had spread, andpeoplo from adjoining counties assembled. Tho band had been materially improved. A drum, made of two shoep skins and a nail keg had boen addcd. Additional bonchesworo providod. Evorybody was in a high stato of oxcitemcnt. Again young womon smilod on Dan. Again he was suro of success. Bill was dressed in flax breechea and a huuting shirt. Dan was appropnatoly ciad in a yollow muslin shirt and 'henip overalls. The band gave a grand burst; wonien clapped their hands and the combatants took thoir places. The capering was beautiful. Bill knockod Dan down. The defender of his mother's widowhood arose, but was again knocked down. Tho pooplo cheer'od lustily. Bill rnuttered a prayer and bucked against his assailant. Again Dan went down. Bill juraped ou him and compollcd him to declare his willingness to the marriago. The ceremony was performod with groat pomp. Young girls scattered flowers all ovor tho yard. "Well, Dan, I downcd you," said Bill. "Yes, but it was my fault." "HowP" "I failed to koop up my studiss." "Your studies?'' "Yes. Professor Jaspor, quite a while ago, told me what you were doing and gave nio lessons at half price." Bill luruod away. He contemplatod whipping tho professor, bui, bolng pursuadod by his wife, allowed the matter to drop. Bill is now a happy