Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-06-26
No. i5O

but one foOm-sltLluG Oh logs, In lieu OF
benches or chairs.
The onIv floor was hard mother earth, and
In one corner of the room pine.log fire
burned. There was mo- attempt at a Chin
ney, the smoke being left to find its way out
of hole in the roof, and from the amount
in the room the most of it was lost. I was
conducted to q log seat near the smoking fire.
After we had all sat in solemn silence for Q
few moments one of the men spoke ur:
'sIke, guess you're kinder skunksd."
"Hi yil" replied my conductor. "How"
Goals changed her mind"
"Has, hey. Well, she'll come to the
scratch now or she'll not git me, replied Ike.
"Don't want you"
"Hi Vi! DON'T. hey. Maybe she thinks
she'll git better feller."
''She thinks she's got one."
"Does, heyl Who is itf showing signs Of
unusual interest.
"Me. Jap Townly."
"High yil" but there was an ominous>
sound in the exclamation.
During this dialogue no one else in the
room had said word, but all watched the
takers inteHtly.
tWhere's Marga" asked Ike.
"She's here" replied half dozen voices
at once.
"Marg, come outi' challenged Ike.
Marg, big strapping barefooted girl,
stepped out. Through the thick smoke I
could not form any idea as to her beauty.
"Aarg, has Jap Townly been sueakin' In
on me since went for the squirsi'
"Jap says he's better man nor yeu, and
want the best"
"High yii Is, heyi Jap git yer club;
we'll soon see who's best man."
Jap produced club and some one handed
Ike another. Then commenced one of the
whacked and psrried and lodged with sur
| prising skill. As the combat progressed
they travelled all around the room, scattering
| the spectators in all directions and using the
| most emphatic language. ''Ill whack ye till
the squire says who's best mani" exclaimed
Jap.
This was not at all pleasing to nae, for I
knew that should I decide the contest the
friends of the defeated man were liable to
waylay me going home and get square.
Both parties were getting come pretty hard
whacks, when in scufiling and lodging they
neared the fire. Ike gave his antagonist Q
chance blow and he stumbled right into the
fire, kicking the red hot Goals in all diree-
tions.
A dozen men sprang to assist jap, and the
next instant a general row was in PROCESS, in
which women as we'll as men Joined. I man
aged to get ont of doors SONS way with a
whole hide, and started in the direction of
, home as fast as my legs would work. As
left the clearing I glanced back over my
festivities. and behold the entire rear Of the
house was in flames and the contestants
pitching into each other by the light of it.
lost my way once or twice, but by mid
night reached home, almost utterly exhaus-
ted.
The next morning was told that some one
wanted to see the squire, and on going to
the door, behold there stood Ike and Marg.
Such sight as they werei I could scarce
keep from roaring. Both looked as though
they had been drawn by the heels through a
} briar patch. All one side of Ike's face was
} skinned and one arm was in a cling Marg's
face was black and blue and her nose badly
swollen.
. $50 you turned out the best mana" asked
| of Ike.
3 'tHigh yii Nor ornery cuss kin git ava.
s with me; and now, Squire, jine us quick, TO
Q I got to 60 back and lam thunder out Of jap
8 old man."
Ell I tied the knot in about FIVE minutes, ant
q watched the happy pair until they disap
9 pesred in the pines.