Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-08-08
FOUGHT FOR HIS WIFE.

as blind as bat"
"But 1 hope that 1 am not 20
tough"
"Oh, go on away, Bill, and don't
bother me-"
ed farm in southern Arkansaw, stood
high in the society of the neighborhood,
and. was consequently happy. Bill
SPOTS was an eIghtecn-year-old boy.
He had fallen in love with Mrs. Collins
and, as the neighbors expressed it,
was dead set upon marrying her. AL
though ordered to 60 away, and al
though the manner as well as the
words of Mrs. Collins plainly indicated
that the boy was wasting his time, yet.
undaunted, he fingered in that rich
abundance of hope which for time
accompanies youth along the road of
life.
II will not 60, Mrs. Collins, until 1
have had satisfactory answer"
81 told you nor
"But No is not satisfactory"
"Now, look here, Bill, want you
to 90 away and let me alone. I've
got work to do, 1 want you to un-
derstand."
"Oh, / understand, and 1 am
perfectly willing to help you do your
work.
"Bill, why don't you marry some
young girl?"
Because want to marry you."
"Why do you want TO marry mep"
Because l love you"
s.Whv do vau love mpo1
Because can,:c-,s.S5,p it," r her"
Am - he read the note
DOM, made the nos
- >re prominent ant
frightful manner
say, Du.. t1l that buoyan
should be soAslble as y y. -
mentary." 49,
81 think the persistency with which
urge my suit shows my sense"
ut does not; 1t only shows your pig
headedness."
"You are equally plgheaded."
"My goodness, boy, go on away
from here and let me see a moments
peace"
"Then 1 would be eternally
miserable. Say, Mrs. Collins, will
you please state your objections to
me-"
"You are too young. My son Dan is
as old as You are. He is equally as
large and / haven't the least doubt
but he could whil you right now. A
stepson should ner,r he able to whip
his stepfather. Dan is always hungry
for fight, and to thresh you every
day would be the delight of his soul.
That would be embarrassing to me,
| for no woman likes to see her husband
whipped"
Bill reflected seriously. 'I had not
thought of that" he said. "Say, Mrs.
Collins. we might make compromise
with DAN"
"No, such thing would be i'm
possible, for Dan has often said
that he intends to whip the man 1
marry"
81 respect your objections, Mrs. Col
Inns, but 1 do not intend to be cheated
ont of my rights"
'Wbat can you do?"
II must whip Dan"
Impossible.
mo. 1t is not impossible. I'll take
boxing and wrestling lessons until /
can down him every time. Then he
will respect me-"
"Now, Bill, Pm going to be frank.
| love you-never mind, sit down. ]
will aid you all can, and when l see
that you are able to whip Dan, will
marry you"
Enough said." Bill joyously ex-
claimed. II will 60 at once and see
that boxing man."
CHAPTER III.
Hank Jasper, retired boxer. lived
abouttwo miles from the Collins place.
Bill called on him and explained his
urgent need of fist science.
81 can soon give you muscle and
slight" said Jasper. "Three lessons
week for two months will fix you all
right. Uf course. III have to charge
you pretty WELL"
"Oh, never mind the cost" Bill re-
piled.
s..Well, we'll begin at once"
1 Bill, with an ardor which such a
cause would naturally inspire, began
tho work of preparation. He hung uI
a sand-bag in his room, and with char
coal, drew on one side of it, what ht
conceived TO bo likeness to Dan Col
Inns.
"Now, Mr.. Collins" he would say
rs he rolled up ms sleeves and squint
ed at tho bag. II am, prepared to giv'
you another mauling. Don't want m,
10 marry your mother, eh? Dom
think that l am entitled to the right!
of an American citizenp Reckon yol
have told your mother that you intent
to whale me, Ell? Well, Wen see.''
Then he would dash at the pretend
ed image of the youth who stood be
tween him and his hearts desire, and
il may be strange to say, he was al
ways successful.
Jasper took great interest in the stu
dent and SO far forgot his professions
etiquette as to let the youth into som
! of the deepest secrets of the science
70 assured the lover that he could IL
saii saert Of victory, and. on ss'ers
g.