The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-22
Conditions which the Old Man Inn
pose on His Daughters Lover
A Piece of T~reachery.

The peculiar conditions upon which a
matrimonial affair was based In south Ar
kansas have Just come to light. Dick An
derson had graduated between the pillow
handles. IT WIS said that he could run a
furrow so straight that it would break a
knock kneed mans legs to walk in 1t. This
accomplishment was a kind of frontlsplece
20 a future volume of agricultural success,
and more than one young lady in the neigh
borhood had her eyes on the Young catch.
Dick wasn't bashful, but he didn't seem to
be particular impressed with the charms
around him like falling drops of water that
hnger on leafy trees after a rain. But he
soon met his fate, a young lady, Winnie
Hogrow. Winnie was a beautiful girl, and
could cover as much corn with a hoe, or
scrape as much, cotton, as any man IN the
neighborhood. The couple loved -devo-
redly, agricultureally. Hogrow had raised his
daughter with great care, and now that she
had attained the zenith of her usefulness, 1t
grieved him to think of losing her. One
Sunday Dick went over, and going out where
the old man was shelling corn to the pigs,
said
''Mr. Hogrow, lsuppose-"
81 don't suppose anything, sir"
"Well, the you doubtless know"
81 don't know anything"
''That's all right then. | am going to
marry your daughter, and by rext corr
planting you will know something. Do you
weaken, Mr.. Hogrow?"
sSee here, young Teller, [ can't afford to
lose my gal. have had powerful bad luck
this season. The cut worms begun on the
corn by the time it came up, and the bugs
pitched into the cotton; and to make things
worse, my best mule and one of the COWS
got into a fight the other day. The cow
hooked the mule, and the mule kicked the
cow until both of them died. SO under
these circumstances, I'd hatcher you'd mar
ry somebody else.
II don't accept your misfortunes as ex-
euses. I'm going to marry the girl
81 tell you whit I'll dc, Dick. I'll make
throw me the gals your'n. If throw you,
she's NINE. If you marry against my will,
[ shall pleasantly eXtermlnate you. LII you
throw me and marry her, this farm, together
with the gal. is your'n. I'll give three trials:
one to-day, one three weeks from now, and
the other six weeks"
Dick was compelled to agree, although
the old man was recognized as the best
wrestler in the country. He had challenged
had accepted. After eating dinner the old
man announced his willingness to take the
first ballot. Dick was willing. The con-
testants, including the girl, went into the
ward, the girl took the hats and the men
grappled each other. The signal was given,
and Dick went over the old mans head and
plowed a short furrow in the ground,
''Give me my hat" he said to the girl.
Don't Civ? it up,r she remarked mar hand !;
Dick left discouraged, but taking the girls
advice, wrestled with ~steamboaters and far
mers until the time for the next trial came.
At the appointed time, Dick appeared at HO-
grows residence.
Feel like you can cut your capers putty
we'll p asked the old man.
Il think so. [ feel that my cause is
Just, and with the aid of kind Providence, |
hope to pile you
"Providence comes in putty handy at
times" said the old mar, pulling off his
coat, but it's a hard matter to buck agin
an old stager. Get outep your jacket. If
fall, the gal and the farm is yourn. Four
hundred acres, and all under fence Gal
weighs one hundred and fifty. Big induce
ments." The two men %grappled, and Dick
again plowed up the earth:
Don't give up" said the girl.
''No,' said the old man, ''for the land is
under fence, and the gal weighs one hun
dred and ffty-can handle a hoe wonder
full"
Dick went away and pondered. 1t was
evident that tne Ola mau cOulu THROW nlH
every time. To lose the girl was to wreck
his life. An idea struck him. He smiled.
He left the neighborhood and remained
until the time for the third fall was nearly up.
On the appointed day he visited the old
man.
81 have agreed to everything," said Dick
land now | ask a favor. Hitherto have
been embarrassed. Les the final trial take
place in the dark. l will meet you here at
10 o'clock"
'Any way suits me, replied the old man.
'In meet you anywhere
At 10 o'clock the old man stood in the
yard c%huckling. His combatant climbed
the fence and approached. Without eS
changing a word the two men grappled
The struggle, was short. The old man wen
up in the air, came down. and struck tn
ground with a force that almost took hi
LIE He lay for q moment almost nncnn