The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-15

and driving his head full into the rotund abdomen
of his master, sent him tumbling over backwards
into the corner, among the lasts and rolls of eath
or.
Uttering fierce OATH Hardamer sprung quickly
to his feet, and made towards Ike, who stood calm
y by his seat waiting for the result Of his bold in
novaiion upon ancient usages. Blind and mad
with passion, the short. thick old fellow plunged
like enraged bull towards Ike, who coolly step
ped aside, and by just advancing his foot little, al
lowed him to tumble heels-over-head into the 9th
er corner of the shop. There he lay for some mo-
ments, SO bewildered as to scarcely know whether
he was on his head or his feet. Buthe soon began
to understand the position of matters little more
clearly; and seeing Ike still standing boldly up in
front of him, he arose, with last in each hand ,and
in the twinkling of an eye, launched them, af-
ter the other, Ike's head. But that chap had as
quick an eye as his master, and readily lodged
them.
Two can play at that game, remember said
Ike, picking up last and brandishing it in his
hand.
For moment Hardamer was utterly confound-
ed. Implicit submission to his will, and the privi-
lege of thrashing any one fthe boys whenever he
pleased had been prerogatives which no one had
questioned for twenty or thirty yenrs.
DO you dare to threaten me? you Hcoundrel
he at length said, moving towards lke his face dark
with anger.
.Stand off. sr!' said Ike. retreatng.
But Hardamer pressed forward. Finding that
warning would not keep his master off, Ike let fly
a last at his head, which just grazed his ear. In
an instant the old fellow grappled with him, and
they rolled over together on the floor. Bill and
Tom looked on with anxious interest. both resolv-
ed to aid Ike, according the compact if there was
any chance of his masters getting the best of the
battle. All at once they saw Ike grow black in the
face, and were shockec TO perceive that both of
Hardamer's hands were tightly clasped around his
throat.
The old scamp will kill himr exclaimed Bill.
springing forward, and throwing himself upon his
master.
Choke him off, Bill! cried Tom, joining him on
the nstaut.
Not taking the hint quickly as Tom thought
the nature of the case required, he clasped his
own hands with vigorous grip around Hardamer's
throat, and held on until the masters hold relaxed
from the neck of the now almost insensibe boy.
Ike quickly revived, and the three boys retired
from their not very pleasant proximity to the body
of their master, and ranged themselves side by
side, iu an attitutle of deionce-
IN murder the whole of you!' shouted Hnrda-
mer, rising TO his feet. mad with passion. What
do you mean? you Internal scoundrels! Go to your
work this instant! And you Ike, walk off up stairs
I've not done with you yet
There's particular use in my going up stairs
said Ike. Because, you see, I'm not going to al
low you TO touch me again. I'm Almost too old for
that, now
Hold your tongue, you scoundrel!'
We'll, l was only saying that
Hold your tongue, say OFF, up stairs with
you
Cant go, SIR said Ike.
We might as we'll all understand each other at
once,' now broke in Tom. We've all resolved
that we won't stand your eternal beatings any lon
ger. We've had enough; and as Ike says, are too
old for that kind of fun now. If you'll treut us
well, we'll work; but if you don't, We'll raise the
very devil; SO there now!'
Here state of things, the possibility of the
existence of whicn had never entered the mind of
Hardamer; and he felt utterly at a loss how to act.
IF he had followed the impulse by which he was
prompted, he would have dashed in among them.
and knocked right and left with blind fury; but he
could not forget that these three ninble chaps be-
fore him, in whose determined faces there was no
evidence OF fear. had but moment before proved
too much for him.
j can have you all cowhided bya constable he
said, in camer voice.
we have calculated all that replied Tom more
respectfully, 'and are prepared to act in that case
too
i should like TO know how you'd act in the off
GERS clutches. guess you'd not like bis cowhide
much.'
Il can tell you how Wen act,' said Tom, in a de-
termined voice. 'We'll never wax another cord
for you as long as we live. Mind sir we're not to
be fooled with! he continued. anxious to impress
his master with sense of their indontable reso-
luton, and thus avoid future contentious. which
none of the boys had any desire to enter into.
Hardanner turned upon his heel and went into
the front shop, while the three rebels retired each
to his respective seat and resumed their work.
He was as much at loss to know how to act as
they were to know how he would act. At one
moment, he resolved to avail himself of the law,
which provides for the punishment of refractory
apprentices; but the determined manner of the
boys caused him TO hesitate. Although he was in
pretty easy circumstances, he by no means consd-
cred himself rich, and had no idea of dispensing
with the services of three well- grown, industrious
boys. This turmoil in his mind, accompanied with
its troublesome ndecision, continued for many
days. during which time the boys worked steadily
and quietly. Gradually. the keen modification, land
chafed feelings of Hardatner wore away, and the
boys began to feel safe.
'The storms pretty well over said Ike, about
week afterwards. Who'd 'athought the passion
ate old rascal would have been cowed SO easy
.Tyrants bre always cowards.' said Tom. Just
make 'em lay aside their buster, and alis safe.'
It's jubilee, now, I s'pose,' added Bill. NE
more of his confounded weltings. Hurrah!-hur-
rah!-hurrah!' he continued, in an animated voice,
swinging bootleg about his head.