, 1885-07-12
FOUGHT FOR HIS WIFE.


Il don't see why. Mrs Collins.
y on don't see why You must be as
blind as a bat
~Eut | hope that ! am no. so tough.
~th, 60 on away. Bill, and don't bother
me
Mr.. Collins was a widow. She owned
n farm in southern Arkansaw. stood high
in the society Of the neighborhood, and
was consequently happy. Bill Spots was
an 1syear-old 10y lie had fallen
in love with Mrs. ollins, and a. the
nelghbOrs expressed il. was lead set upon
marrying her. Although ordered to go
away. and although the manner rs well
rs the words Of Mrs. Collins plainly indi-
called that the boy was wasting his time.
yet undaunted he fingered In that rich
abundance OF hope which for n time &C
companies youth along the road of life.
Il will not 90. Mrs Collins. until have
had n satisfactory answer
Il told you no
but no is not satisfactory. "
Now. look here, Bill, | wan you to
60 away and let me alone I've got work
to do, | want you to understand.
~Oh, understand, and am perfectly
willing TO help you do your work
-lil. why don I You marry some young
girlY"
~necause | want TO marry you
" II AA Oh WAhN ~ hAhAA hAtH
"Fecause | love you
why do you love meGr
Because | can / help IT,
Am | so handsome as all thatYH
you are The prettiest thing | ever
saw
you are complimentary. | must say.
but n manor rather a boy should be
sensible as well ms complimentary.
81 think the persisiency with which |
urge my suit shows my sense. "
1t does not it only shows your pig
Medicines.
You are equally pigheaded.
Ny goodness, boy. go on away from
here and let me see a moments peace.
Then would be e%ternally miserable.
Say, Mrs. Collins. will you please state
your objections 10 me
~Nou are too young. My son Dan Is
ms old us you arc lie Is equally as large
and ] haven't the least doubt hut he could
whip you right now. A step.son
should never be able TO whip his step
father. Dan Is always hungry for a
fight. and to tbresh you evcrg day would
he the delight Of his soul. That would
be embarrassing to me. for no woman
likes to see her husba d whipped
bill reflected seriously. II had not
thought Of that, 81 he said -say. Mrs
Collins. We might make a compromise
with Dan.
NO. such a thing would be impossible.
for Dan has often said shat he Intends 10
whip the man / marry
II respect your objections. Mrs. Col
Inns, but do not intend 10 be cheated
out Of my rights
What can you nor"
Il must whip Dan.
impossible, "
aN IL L. not sonor.tL1. IN 81.
boxing and wrestling lessons until l can
down him every time. Then he will re-
spect me
Now Fill. | am going to DO frank. |
love you-neyer mind. Sit down. | will
aid you all can. and when / sec that
you are able 10 whip Dan. will marry
you
Though said. Bill j~oyously ex.
claimed 81 will go at once and see that
boxing man.
Hank Jasper. n retired boxer, lived
about two miles from the Collins place.
ILL called on him and explained his NJ.
gent need Of fist science.
can soon give you muscle and
slight. ~ said Jasper. Three lessons a
week for two months will fix you all
right, tf course, I'll have TO charge you
pretty well
oh, never mind the cost. - Bill re
piled.
We'll. well begin at once. "
Bill, with an ardor which such "A cause
would naturally inspire began the work
Of reparaiion. lie hung up a sand bag
in his room, and with charcoal. drew on
one side Of il. what he conceived TO be a
likeness Of Dan Collins.
Now. Mr. Collins. " he would say. as
he rolled up his sleeves and sauinted at
the bag, 81 am prepared to give you an.
other mauling. Don't want me to marry
your mother. ohY Don't think that | am
entitled to the rights Of an American citi-
zen leckon YOU have told your mother
that you intend to whale me. chr Well.
we II see. "
Then be would dash at the pretended
image Il the youth who stood between
him and his hearts desire. and. it may be
strange TO say. he was always successful
Jasper took great interest In the student
and so far forgot his professional etiquette
as to let the youth into some of his deep
est secrets Of the science. lie assured the
lover that he could not fall short Of vic
tory, and on several occasions. shook
hands with him in a congratulatory man
ner.
One ia. just before the two months Of
training had expired, Bill, while rid
ing along the road. mel young Collins
Say, Bill ma tells me that you want
to marry her -
itS7
Dan laughed. what have got TO
say about II. why confound your hide. do
YOU suppose that | would allow such a
plug ugly rs YOU are to marry my moth.
err Why. Id have to call you out early
every morning.
-Mhat fory~
ITO take your whipping
1t would take a better nan than You
TO whip me. Dan Collins
Yes, that's what you think. but when
ever you feel like trying your hand. Just
come over and ! will give a few touches
that viii show you who in the field o
Ian. blowing amounts TO nothing. but
say. If whip you fairly whip you un
I'll you are satisfied. will you then agree
that II | marry your mother you will
behave yourself
e.
IAN right Let's see Suppose that
we give onch other a trial next Saturday. "
Il IN viii ing.
"Shall it be- %privategr
40. we want 10 invite all the neigh
bors
An right. and 10 make the thing more
binding wen have papers drawn up.
stating the oh cot OF the contest These
articles Of agreement shall I e read before
thec contest begins. and Judges from the
crowd shall he selected
THAT suits me %
M.
The Arrangements were completed The
neighhorhood was greatly excited. Hun
drcds Of temporary benches. forming an
arena, were constructed. Although the
crops We're not laid by. = people from all
pars ~ the country locked 10 see the
combat. Tic noighborhood band. com
posed OF three nddlers. two banjo pickers