The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-05-22

wrestler, not the hard-to.hand
might ola pugilist, the panic van.
ished, and Tom Bowles was him
self again. "Oh, that's your sort,
is it!" SAID he. 1--WE don't fight
with our heels hereabouts, like
Cornishers and donkeys; we fight
with our fists, you youngster; and
since you will have a bout at that,
why, you must" y
"Providence," answered Ken
elm, solemnly, ''sent me to this
village tor the express purpose of
licking Tom Bowles. 1t is a signal
mercy vouchsafed to yourself as
yeu will one day acknowledge"
Again q thrill of ofawe,something
like that which the demagogue
Aristophanes might have felt
when braved by the eausagc.mak-
er, shot through the valiant heart
of Tom Bowles. He did not like
those ominous words, and still less
the lugubrous tone of voice in
which they were uttered. But
resolved, at least, to proceed to
battle with more preparation than
he had at first designed, he now
deliberately disincumbered him.
self Of his heavy fustian jacket
and vest, rolled mp his shirt
sleeves, and then slowly advanced
toward his foe.
Kenelm had, also, with still
greater deliberation, taken off his
coat,-which he folded mp with
care, as being both new and an
only one, aud deposited by the
hcdge.sije -and, barred arms, lean,
indeed, and almost slight as com.
pared with the vast muscle of his
adversary, but firm in sinew as
the hind leg of a stag. -
by this time tho laborers, led
by Jessie, had arrived on the
spot, and were about to crowd in
between the combatants, when
Kenelm waved them back, and
said, in a calm and impressive
voice
"Stand round, my good friends,
make ring, and see that it is fail
play on my side. | am sure tina,
it will lie fair on Mr.. Dowles'
He's big enough to scorn what..i'
little. And now Mr.. Bowles, jus
a word with you in the presenc.
of your neighb"rs. l am not 60
ing to say anything uncivil. II
you are rather rough and hasty, &
man is not always master of him
sele-at least so ] am told-wher
lie thinks more than he ought tC
do about pretty girl. But | can
look at your face even by thi,
moonlight-and though it's ex-
preston at this moment is rathe,
cross without being sure tha
you are a fine fellow at bottom
And that, if you give a promis,
as man to man, you will keep it
Is that so 2"
One or two of the bystanders
murmured assent; the other
pressed around in silent wonder
"What's all that soft sawde
abou;!" said Tom Bowles, some
what fa'teringly.
"Sinply this If in the figh
between MS | beat you, l ask you
to promise before your neighbour
that you will not. by word o.
deed, molest, or interfere agair
with Miss Jessie Wiles."
"Eh |" roared Tom. "Is j
that you are after her 2"
"Suppose l am, il that please,
you; and on my side, I promise
that, if you bca, me, l. qnit thi'
place as soon as you leave m'
well enough to do so, and viii
never visit it again. What ! d,
you hesitate to promise Z Are yor
really afraid l shall lick you!"
"You! I'd smash a dozen like
you TO powder"
"In that case you are safe t.
promise. Come; tits fair bar
gain. lent it, neiRhbors 7"
Won over by Kenelm's easy
show of good temper, and by the
sense Of justice, the Lystander'
joined in a common exclamation
Of consent.
Come, Tom," said an old fell
low, "the gentleman can't sreal
fairer; and we shall all think
you be afeared If you hold back
Toms face worked; but at las,
no growled, "Well, I promise
that is, ii he beats me-"
Gall right" said Kenelm. "You
bear, neighbors; and Tom Bowlcs
could not show that handsome
face among you If he broke his
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