Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-29
wrestling for a Wife.

matrimonial affair was based In South
| Arkansas have lust come 10 light. Dick
Anderson had graduated between the
ow-handles. 1t was said that he could
run n furrow so straight that it would
break knock-kneed mans legs to walk
| in IL. This accomplishment was kind
of frontispiece to further volume of
agricultural success, and more than one
young lady in the neighborhood had
her eyes on the young catch. Dick
wasn't bashful, but he didn't seem 10 be
particularly impressed with the charms
scattered around him like falling drops
of water that .inger on leafy trees after a
rain. But he soon met his fate, young
lady, Winnie Hogrow. Winnie was n
beautiful girl, and could cover as much
corn with hoe or scrapc as much cot
ton rs any man in the neighborhood.
The couple loved-devotedly agricul-
turally. Hogrow had raised his daugh-
ter with great care, and now that she
had attained the zenith of her useful
ness, il grieved him to think of losing
her. One Sunday Dick went over, and,
going out TO where the old man was
shelling corn to the pigs, said
"Mr. Hogrow, suppose
/" don't suppose anything, sir"
"Well, then, you doubtless know"
| '" don't Know anything"
THAT'S all right, then. | am going
to marry your daughter, and by next
corn planting time you'll know some
thing. Do you weaken, Mr.. HogrowP"
"See here, young feller, can't afford
to lose my gal. | have had powerful
bad luck this season. The cutworms
begun on the corn by the time it came
up, and the bugs pitched into the cot
ton; and to make things worse, my best
mule and one of my cows got into n
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 rather you'd
marry somebody else"
g don't accept your misfortuncs rs
excuses. I'm going 10 marry the glrl. -
I" tell you what III do, Dick. III
make this arrangement: Wen wrcstle,
and If you throw me the gals your'n
If / throw you, she's mine. If you
marry her against my will, | shall pleas
antly cxtcrminate you. II 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 rs the best
] "iNoNANA az AiAN 'bdhNls 4tN l4tih CAltl-
lcnged everybody and had thrown
everybody who had accepted. After
eating dinner, the Old man announced
his willingness 10 take the first ballot.
Dick WAS willing. The contestants, in
cluding the girl, went into the yard, 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 give up" she remarked, hand
ing over his tile. "Go away and prac-
tice."
Dick left. discouraged, but taking the
advice, wrestled with steamboat men
and farmers until the time for the next
trial came. Atthe appointed time Dick
appeared at Hogrow's residence.
" Feel Ike you can cut your capcrs
putty wellP" asked the old man.
81 think SO. feel that my cause is
Just, and with the aid of kind Providence
hope 10 pile you"
Providence comes in putty handy nj
times" said the old man, pulling off his
coat, but it's a hard matter to buck
agin an old stager. Get outen your
jacket. II fall the gal aud the farm il
yourn. -Four hundred acres, and all
under fence. Gal weighs one hundred
and fifty. Big inducements" The two
men. grappled, and again Dick 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 hundred and fifty-can handle hoe
wonderful"
Dick went away and pondered. II was
evident that the old man could throw
him 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
ialI was nearly up. On the appointed
day he visited the old man.
/" / have agreed TO everything said
Dick. and Eow ask n favor. Let the
final trial take place tonight in the dark
| will meet you here at ten O'Clock"
Any way suits me" replied the old
man. VI meet you anywhere"
Atten O'Clock the old man stood in the
yard chuckling. His combatant climbed
the fence and approached. Without
exchanging word, TIE two men grap-
pied. The struggle was short. The old
man went up in the air. came down, and
struck the ground with force that al
most took his life. He lay for n moment
half uncousciou.. Dick raised him up
and assisted him into the house.
The gal and the farm is yourn." said
the old man, and the young couple en-
braced each other. The next day they
were married. Shortly after the cere-
mony was over n large negro man mp
peared at the door and, attracting Dicks
attention, said: II wants my $40. I
flung the ole man hard 'nough TO Kill
him. Whar's my money!" Dick gave
him $40, and turning around, received
searching look from the old man.
"Tll explain" said the bridegroom.
Realizing that couldn't throw you,
and at the same time realiEing that my
happiness depended upon this marriage,
| restortoEi TO n bit of treachery." Here
he stopped tobuckle his arm around his
wife, '' found big negro that knew
could throw you. and offered him Sl0.
That's why wanted the wrestle to take
place in the dark. After he had thrown
| vnu 1 r1lehad forward and nickad vou