The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-06-16
ali on The Last Round.

The peculiar conditions upon which
matrimonial affair was based in South Ar
kansas have just come to light. Dick An
derson had just graduated between the
plow-handlcs. 1t was said that he could
run turrow so straight that it would break
knock-kneed mans legs to walk in it,
This accomplishment was a kind of trontis-
piece to a future volume of great agrlcul-
tural success, and more than one young
lady in the neighborhOod had her eye on
the young catch. Dick wasn't bashful, but
he didn't seem to be particularly impressed
with the charms scattered around him like
drops of water that linger on leaty trees
after the rain. But he soon met his fate, a
young lady, Winnie Hogrow. Winnie was
u beautiful girl and could cover as much
corn with hoe, and scrape as much cotton
Us any man in the neighborhood. The
couple loved-devotedly agriculturally.
Hogrow had raised his daughter with great
care, and now that she had attained the
Zenith Of her usefulness, it grieved him to
think of losing her. One Sunday Dick
went over, and, going out where the old
man was Smelling corn for the pigs, said:
"Mr. Hogrow, | suppose
81 don't suppose anything, sir"
SWELL then you doubtless know
Il don't know anything"
"Thats all right then. | am going
marry your daughter, and by next corn.
planting you will know something. Do
you weaken, Mr.. Hogrow?'
''See here, young fellow, l can't afford to
lose my gal have had powerful bad luck
this season. The cut-worms began at the
corn by the time it come up, and the bugs
pitched into the cotton; and, to make
things worse, my best mule and one of my
COWS got into fight the other day. The
COW hooked the mule and the mule kicked
the cow, and both of them died. So under
the circumstances I'd rather you'd marry
somebody else"
81 don't accept your mistortuncs as ex-
cuses. I'm going to marry the girl"
'I'l tell you what I'll do, Dick. I'll
make this arrangement Well wrestle, and
if you throw me the girls your'n; if I
throw you she's mine. If you marry hcl
against my will, shall pleasantly exter-
inmate you. If you throw me and marry
the girl, this farm, together with the girl
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 county. He had challeng-
ed everybody, and had thrown everyone
who had accepted. After eating dime
the old man announced his willingness to
take the first ballot. Dick was willing.
The contestants, including 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 4 short turrow in
the ground.
"Give,me my hat" he said to the girl.
Don't give it up" she remarked, hang
ing over the tile. $50 away and practice"
Dick left, discouraged, but, taking the girls
advice, wrestled with steamboat men and
farriers until the time for the next trial
came. At the appointed time, Dick an
peard at Hogrow's residence.
"Fccl as though you can cut your capers
putty well?" asked the old man.
II think So feel that my cause is just,
and, with the aid of kind Providence, l
hope to pile you" ...... .......
providence comes in putty handy at
times" said the old man, pulling off his
coat, 'but it's hard matter to buck agin
an old stager Get outen yer jacket. If [
fall, the gal and the farm are your'n. -Four
hundred acres, and all under fence. Cal
weighs one hundred and fifty pounds, Big
inducements" The two men grapplcd,
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 hun
bred and 1ifty-can handle a hoe wonder
fulw
Dick went away and pondered. 1t 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 fall was nearly
up. On the appointed day he visited the
old man.
II have agreed to everything" said Dicl-,
"and now ask a favor Hitherto | have
been embarrassed Let the final trial take
place tonight in the dark. ! will meet you
here at 10 o'clock"
Any way suits me" replied the old man ;
AT 10 o'clock the old man stood in the
yard, chuckling. His combatant climbed
the fence and approached. Without ex-
changing Q word the two men grappled.
The struggle was short. The old man
went up into the air, came down and
struck the ground with force that almost
took his life. He lay for u moment al
most unconscious. Dick raised him up
and assisted him into the house.
THE gal and the farm are ynnr'n," said
the old man, and the young couple embrace
ed eacn other. The next day they were mar
rled. Shortly utter the ceremony was over,
large negro man appeard at the door,
and, attracting Dicks attention, said: Il
want my $40. flung the ole man hard
'nough to kill him. Where's my money ?'
Dick gave him $40 and, turning around,
received a searching look from the old
man. "Ill explain" said the bridegroom.
Realizing that couldn't throw you, and
at the same time realizing that my happi-
ness depended upon this marriage, / re-
sorted to bit Of treachery." Here he
stopped to buckle his arm around his wife.
II found a big negro that knew could
throw you, and offered him $40. That's
why l wanted the wrestle to take place III
the dark. After he had thrown you, |
rushed forward and raised you up"
When Dick had finished, the old man
looked at him for full five minutes, and re-
marked: "Itwas mighty mean trick, but
the farm and gal are your'n. Four hun
dred acres under fence, and the gal weighs
one hundred and fifty"