The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-04-13
A Clean Back Out.

In f}ourishing village. not more than
three hundred miles from Mobile, Alabama,'
live two individuals. who we shall call
Jim and Joe. The latteris quiet, good
natured, inoffensive sort Of a cliap-one
OF those who will stand '.running upon''
as long, if not longer, than the most Of.
men, but who is a pefect /" Bengal tiger"
when his passions are once aroused
| On the other hand. Jim was clustering
bullying braggadocia-one Of that pecu-
liar class Of men whose voice is always
loudest in brawl but whose feet have
wonderful mack of carrying them out of
the way of hard knocks. For great
length of time the latter had made q butt
lot Joe--had, time and again. by dint OF
much clustering and staggering, com.
pletely coweG him. Ahsopportunlty final.
ly occurred, however, Of showing the two
men up in their proper colors.
In the course Of warm dispute, Jim
let out some offensive remark, that produ.
ced more than ordinary caustic rejoin 7
/ der from Joe. The former tried the "blufs
ing" system at once; but Joe, as be hima
self remarked, had "stood enough" and
would "put up" with no more insults from
his bullying neighbor.
"Perhaps you want to fightl" said Jim,
buttoning his coat and looking pistols and
bowie knives at the calm but determined
face Of his opponent.
! Flight will replied Joe. "You have
been in the habit OF growing over me for
a year past, and l intend putting . stop to
| it at once" =
Jim could not, for moment, belive that
his neighbor had the least disposition TO
carry out his threats, and accordingly
went at him louder than before. "Well,"
said he, s.I've been trying to get fight
out Of you for the last six months." and,
slapplng his hands together. and commencs
4 ing to square off, he concluded with, ssat
last there is small chance of making
something out Of you" tAs re-
"Walk with me out of the corporation
limits, where we can avoid the law, and
you shall be graiified. I'm not in the
habit Of Dragging. Jim, but it is my candid
opinion, that in about ten minutes you'll
be so badly licked, your mother WON'T
know you. Come along"
There was an air of determina alton =.
bout Joe that rather staggered his advef.
! sary, but he still thought he could frighten
him out of fight, and with that intention
started off down the street that led out Of
the village.
i ..Whoo" said Jim. 81 feel so much like
:. fighting. can hardly hold myself'
.Glad to hear it,, coolly replied joe.
i They had now nearly reached The corr
fporation limits, and Jim's courage, like
that Of Bob Acres, was oozing out at every
!, pore. He had tried to frighten Joe out Of
the notion Of fighting. but finding himself
disappointed. he now tried to creep out
, Of the scrape on another track. They
were passing the last grocery in the vil-
sllage. and an open lot which had been
E chosen by Joe as the field Of combat, was
: in plain sight. 81
4 ''Joe-a.hem--Joe . said Jim, nervous
: ly, "can't we compromise--a-hsm-can't n't
y we settle this thing somehow, Joel"
i s.No."
"Weli-a-hem-a fair show-that's all
n want. Joe-a fair fight. .
$ Never you fear-you shall have iair
it show" -
o They were now upon the ground. Joe
9 commenced taking off his coat with pro.
}. ,oking GOODNESS and self-possession.
Q ..A.hem--Joe, can't we como to some
e understanding cant we, as | said before
l. compromise this little matter without--a
hem a fight, eh!" -
Il 81 am here to fght.'' rejoipsd
throwing down his coat, and COM
'e rolling up his shirt sleeves.
,el "You will-a.hem--you will fight Joel
Is 81 will. Jim" i T
s.Well, here's clean back ost!
shan't eight, it's all nonsense"
IS Ii is almost unnecessary 10 say thai
Il from that time ont, Jim has been one .
lg the quietest and most peaceable citizen
q In his neighborhood, and the severe lssso
IN Joe gave him will not soon be iorgoiler
ne What pity every "Jim" has not n
l.sJoe." Is
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