Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-01-15

resounded the ill-sccording sounds of the
bagpipe and fiddle, and the loud WHO'D!
of the jig-dsncers, as they beat with
active feet the temporary floor, that rat.
tied with their thread. Johnny made
short greetings with those of his friends
he encountered, and on entering his
house, plucked a couple of black, bus.
iness-like locking sticks from the chin
ney, hefted them carefully, and measur-
ed them together with an eye as strict
as ever gallant paired rapier with, till,
satisfied of their equality, he put his
topcoat over his shoulders, and depart
ing by the back door, rapidly cleared
two or three small gardens, and made at
once for the nelds. AS Dolan dropped
from the high bank into the lane near
the bridge on one side, Evans leapt the
gate opposite.
You've lost no time, fegs," observed
Matthew, as they drew together, shout
der to shoulder, stalking rapidly on.
give been vexed to keep you waiting,
this time, anyhow" replied Johnny, and
few other words passed.
Just beyond the bridge they left the
road together, and, mounting the course
of the little stream, in a few minutes
were shut out from the possibility of
observance in wild, narrow glen, at
whose head was a waterfall of some
eighteen feet. The pool which received
this little cascade was exceedingly deep,
and, having but one narrow outlet be-
tween the huge stones, the pent waters
were forced round and round, boiling
and chatting for release; and hence the
not unpoetic name of He'll kettle given
TO this spot. The ground Immediately
about it was wild, bare and stony, and in
no way derogated from this fearful title.
Near the fall is a little platform or
level of some twenty yards square, the
place designed by Evans rs the battle
ground. Arrived here, the parties
halted and AS Dolan stopped to raise
little of the pure stream in his hand to
his lips, Evans casts his coats and vest on
the gray stone close by, and, pulling hi
shirt over his head, stood armed for the
fight, not so heavy or tall man 30 his
antagonist, Dolan, but why a. terrier,
and having, in his agility ard training,
advantages that more than balanced the
difference of weight and age.
"rve been thinking, Johnny Evans"
cried Dolan, as he leisurely stripped in
turn, eve must have two .nrys, after
all, to show who's the best man; you
have got the aipeens wild you, | see, and
Pm not the boy to say no to thin, but |
expect you'll ha' the best ind o the
stick, for it's well known there is not
your match in Wicklow, if there is in
Wexford itself"
"Thst days past, Matty Dolan," re-
piled Evans. dts five years since you
and me had bad words, at the Pattern O
the Seven Churches, and that was the
last stroke struck with stick. There's
eight years between our ages, and you're
the heavier man by two stone or nesr
it; what more 'ud yez have, man alive"
"Oh, never fear me, John, We'll never
split about triAes," quietly replied
Dolan; but, ste here, let's dress one
another, rs they do potatoes, both ways.
Stand fairly up to me for half dozen
rounds, fist TO fiat, and Pll hould the
alpeen till you're tired of it"
"Why, look here, Matty, you worked
overlong on Georges Quay, and were
overfriendly with the great boxer, Mister
Donolon, for me to be able for yez wild
the fists" cried Exams But Well spill
the difference; I'll give you quarter of
an hour out o me wild the fists, and
you'll give tre same time, if Pm able,
with the alpeen after: and we'll toss
head or harp which comes first"
Evans turned copper fiat on the back
of his hand, as he ended his proposal,
and in the same moment Dolan cried:
Harpforever."
"Harp it H." echoed Evans, holding
the coin up in the moons ray, which
shone out but htfully as dark clouds
kept slowly passing over her cold face.
In the next moment they were toe to
toe ia the centre of the plain, both
looking determined and confident;
though an amateur would have at once
decided in favor of Dolsn's pose.
To describe the fight scientifically
would be too long an sffair; suffice il
that, although Johnny's agility gave
him the beat of couple of severe falls,
yet his antagonists straight hitting and
superior weight left him the thing
hollow; till five quick rounds left Evans
deaf TO time and tune, and IS sick rs
though he had swallowed glass of anti
monial wine instead of poteen.
Dolan carried his senseless foe to the
pool and dashed wster over him by the
hatful.
"Look st my watch" was Johnny's
first word, on gaining breath.
81 can't tell the time by watch" cried
Dolan, little sheepish
"Give it here, man" cried Johnny, as
he rubbed his left eye, the other being
fast closed, "by the Boyre, this is the