The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-07-22
FOUGHT FOR HIS WIFE.

y
ashamed of Yourself"
''I don't see why. Mrs. Collins"
"You don't see why2 You must be al
blind as bat"
"But hope that I am not so tough.
''Oh, 60 on away, Bill, and dom
bother me-"
Mrs. Colling was widow. She owned
o farm in southern Arkansaw, stooe
high in the society of the neighborhood
and, was consequently happy. Bill
SPOTS was an eighteen -year-old boy
He had fallen in love with Mrs. Collin!
and, as the neighbors expressed it, wa:
dead set upon marrying her. Although
ordered to 60 away, and although thu
manner as we'll 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 a time accompanies youth
along the road of life.
IL will not 90, Mrs. Collins, until
have had satisfactory answer"
IL told you No"
'But NO is not satisfactory"
'Now, look here. Bill, want you tc
go away and let ma alone. I've go'
work to.do, l want you to understand.
''Oh, l understand, and am perfectly
willing TO help you do your work"
"Bill, why don't you marry some
young girll" , ,u.,,. .o ., ..,. ,,o,,
"Why do you want to marry me-"
"Because love YOU"
"Why do you love me2"
"Because l can't help it."
Gam 50 handsome as all that"
"You are the prettiest thing I evel
saw"
"You are complimentary, I must say
but a.'man.-or rather boy, should bt
sensible rs we'll as complimentary"
~ think the pcrsistency with which
urge my suit shows my sense"
at does not; it only shows your pig
headedness."
"You are equally pigheaded."
"My goodness, boy. 60 on away from
here and let me see a moments peace"
"Then I would be etcrnally 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 I haven't the least doubt but he
could whip you right now. A stcpsou
should never be able to whip his step
father. 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. II had not
thought of that" he said. "Say. Mrs.
Collins, we might make a compromise
with Dam"
"No, such thing would be impossi.
BILE, for Dan has often said that he in
tends to whip the man marry"
II respect your objections, Mrs. Col
lins, but / do not intend to be cheated
out of my rights"
"What can you do?"
81 must whip Dan."
Impossible"
'tNo, it is not impossible. III take
boxing and wrestling lessons until can
down him every time. Then he will re-
spect me-"
:'Now, Bill, am going to be frank.
love you-nevcr mind, sit down. will
aid you all I can. and when l see that
you are able to whip Dan, l will marry
you"
Enough said," Bill joyously cx,
claimed. II will 60 at once and sec
that boxing man."
Hank Jasper, a retired boxer, lived
about two miles from the Collins place.
Bill called on him and explained bis ur-
gent need of fist science.
81 can soon give you muscle and
slight" said Jasper. Three lessons q
week for two months will fix you all
right. Of course, I'll have to charge
you pretty we'll"
ooh, never mind the cost" Bill re-
piled.
"Well, we'll begin at once"
Bill, with an ardor which such q cause
would naturally inspire, began the work
of preparation. He hung up nd-bag
in his room, and with charcoal, drew on
one side of it, what.he conceived to be a
likeness of Dan Collins.
"Now. Mr.. Collins" he would say,
as he rolled up his sleeves and sguinted
at the bag, II am prepared to give you
another mauling. Don't want me tc
marry your mother, eh! Don't think
that am entitled to the rights of an
American citizen2 Reckon you have
told your mother that you intend to
IL - Ill
Then ne would da h at the pretended
image of the youth who stood between
him and his hearts desire. and, it may
be strange to say, he was always success
full.
Jasper took great interest in the stu
dent and so far forgot his professional
etiquette as to let the youth into some o
the deepest secrets of the science. HI
assured the lover that he could not fal
short of victory, and, on several occa
sions. shook hands with him in con
gratulatory manner.
One day, just before the two months
oftraiuing had expired. Bill, while riding
along the road, met young Collins.
Say, Bill, ma tells me that you want
to marry her."
"Yes, what have you got to say about
it9"
Dan laughed. "What have I got te
say about it, why. confound your hide,
do you suppose that l would allow such
q plug ugly as you arc to marry my
mother2 Why, I'd have to call you ouI
early every morning"
.What forl"
"To take your whipping"
cit would take better man than yor
to whip me, Dan Collins"
eyes, that's what you think, but when
ever you feel lide trying your hand, JUS
come over and l will give you few
touches that will show you who's in the
field"
Dan, blowing amounts to nothing
but say, if whip you fairly-whip 20,
until you are satisfied, will you theI
agree that if marry your mother 20,
will behave yoursclf:'
eyes"
can right. Let's see: Suppose tha
we give each other trial next Satur
day."
III Wiling.
'Shall it be privatc2"
'sNo, we want to invite all the neigh
bors."
"All right, and to make the thing
more binding, we'll have papers drawn
up, stating the object of the contest
These articles Of agreement shall b'
read before the contest begins, ant
judges from the crowd shall Le selected.
That suits me-
The arrangements were completed
The neighborhood was greatly excited
Hundreds of temporary benches, form
ing an arena, were constructed. Although
the crops were not laid by" people
from all parts Of the country t1ockcd t.
see the combat. The neighborhood band
composed three fddleEs, two ban 10 pick
ers and the agitator of a triangle, tool
an assigned position and soothed th'
crowd with sweet symphonies. Bill
haa cordially invited Professor Jasper
but the professor, declaring that suct
scenes were n borc to him. declined,