The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-21

OF the mill Here too. was the stone lar
aaTaady referred to The decks had been,
20 to speak cleared for action. that IL to
say. the table was thrust into the corner,
and upon it lay the sacred instrument
with which Mathew loved to correct his
ward This promoter of virtue. or dis
penser Of consequences, was a strong and
supple cane. than which few instruments
are more highly gifted with the power Of
inflicting torture. Raj ph knew it we'll.
and had experienced on many occasions
the full force of this wholesome quality.
He saw it lying ready for use, and he re-
Elected cheerfully that tho alder branch
partly up his left sleeve and partly in his
coat pocket would be more supple. equally
heavy and perhaps more efficscious. re.
gardcd simply as pain producer
When the boy appeared. Mathew rose
and removed his wig and coat, because the
work before him was likely to make him
warm He then assumed the rod. and
ordered Ralph to take of bis coat and
waistcoat.
This day" he said. you have dis.
graced your family Idesign that you shall
have such a logging as you will not
readily forget He then remembered
that he would be more free for action
without his waistcoat man can throw
more heart into his work Such dog
ging, he repeated as he removed it. "ss
you will remember all your life"
well. cousin, said Ralph MIR Car
naby said that the penance was the pun.
ishment- have done the penance
Silence. sir Do you dare to argue
with your guardian?" He now began tc
roll up his shirt sleeves SO as to have bis
arms quite bare. which is an additional
advantage when one wants to put out all
ones strength Il shall fog the flesh of
your bones. you young villain
But he paused. and for a moment bis
jaws stuck. and he was speechess, for bis
cousin, instead of meekly placing himself
in position to receive the stupendous fog
ging i~tended for him. was facing him,
resolution in his eyes. and a weapon in
his hands
"Flogging for Jogging Cousin Mathew.
said Ralph. flesh for flesh Strip my
bones, strip yours
Mathew now observed for the first time
it was most unfortunate moment fol-
making the discovery-that RAJ ph was q
good two inches taller than himself. that
his arm was as stout. and that his weapon
was of thickness. length, and pliability
which might make the stoutest quail. also
he remarked that his shoulders were sur
prisingly broad. and his legs of length and
size quite out of the common And it even
occurred to him that he might have to en-
dure hardness
Flesh for flesh" said Ralph. posing
TIE alder branch
Villain Would you break the Fifth
commandment"
Ralph shook his weapon, making it sing
merrily and even thirstily through the
air. but made no reply
Lay down the switch"
Ralph raised it above his head as one
who is preparing to strike.
Down ON your knees. viper. and beg
for pardon
Flesh for flesh. Mathew said Ralph
"You will have it then. young devil
will kill you'll"
Mathew rushed upon his cousin. rain.
ing blows as thick as hail upon him Fo,
the moment his weight told end the boy
was beaten back Swish ''viperl Swish
-swish-'twas terrible cane Il will
teach you to rebel Swish-swish-t twas
cane of suppleness beyond nature 4
will give you lesson Swish-swish.
Il will break every bone in your body n
Swish-the end of the cane found out every
soft place-there were not many upon
Ralph's body
But then the tables were turned. TO,
the boy. recovering from the first confu
sion. leaped suddenly aside. and with 8
dexterous movement of the left foot caused
his cousin to stumble and fall heavily
He struggled struck kicked and dashed
OUTPUT be did not get up again A
very important element in the fight was
strangely overlooked by Mathew before
he began the attack 1t was this tina,
whereas he was himself out of condition.
the boy was In splendid fettle sound OF
wind as we'll as limb So furious was
Mathew first assault that brief as wal
It's duratlon no s.,oner was he tripped uE
than he perceived that his wind was
gone and though he could kick and
struggle vet If he half got up he was
quickly knocked down again And while
be kicked and struggled this young