The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-05

At his feet, so certain Was the boy Of his
duty that he prepared for the coming
struggle with brave heart. though with .
very white face. -
The boy called kid" was perfectly will
ing TO fight, in fact there was nothing he
enjoyed more, especially when. as in this
case. he saw the prospect of an easy victory
before him. So, as he stood up in front of
Arthur, the freight disclosed broad grin
on his dirty face. He looked SO much
stronger and heavier than his antagonist
that some OF the men were touched with
pity for the iittic fellow. and murmured
that it wasn't square deal.
That's all right" said the big tramp.
who had taken charge OF the affair. The
little chaps got sand or else be wouldn {
be here. He's been talking pretty big, too,
and now he's got the chance to show
whether he can back up his words or not. +"
To the amazement of the spectators the
battle was q long and hard one; for the
newcomers pluck and skill were evenly
matched against the others weight, and a
logged pride that forbade him TO yield to
one younger and smaller than himself,
Still, he was in the wrong. and he knew it;
while Arthur was in the right and knew
that he was. The boy who was fighting in
defense of the weak and the helpless never
once thought OF giving in. and so the other
had to. They finally went to the ground
together, with Arthur on top. and this
ended the struggle. The skid" bryan TO
cry: "Lemme upl Lemme upi / don't
want to fight no more wild q professional.
Lemme upi'
Then Arthur left him and walked to
where poor little Rusty was crouchine
with his rope held by one of the tramps.
Taxing the rope in his hand, and lifting
his brave. flushed face. blood-stained from
. slight cut on his forehead, to that of the
big tramp who had ordered the pup to be
beaten. the boy asked. lis he my dog
now?"
''0f course he is. sonny, OF course he
is answered the big man, promptly.
You've fought the bulliest kind of fight
for him. and I'd like to see the man as
would try to take him from you"
As he spoke the big tramp glared about
him. as though wishing somebody would
dare dispute his words; but nobody did.
Every one of those who now crowded
about the boy, anxious to shake hands
with him and congratulate him ON his
victory. expressed the heartiest approval
of what the big man said. They all
seemed to regard Arthur as hero and to
feel highly honored by his presence in their
camp. Even his dog received full share
of praise and petting. and was utterly be-
wiidered by the sudden turn in the tide of
popular opinion concerning him.
Seeing that the young champion was
rendered uncomfortable by the oyer-offs-
ciousness of those who crowded about
him, the big tramp. who seemed to exsr.
Use an acknowledged authority over them
Ordered the rest TO clear out and leave the
little chap to him. then he took Arthur
10 the brook and bathed his face and
hands, and even his bare feet, in its cool
waters. with degree of tenderness sur
prising in one so big and rough.
A few minutes later supper was an
nounced, and the big tramp made Arthur
sit beside him on the ground, in front of
kettle that contained q most delicious
smelling stew OF chicken and potatoes and
onions and green corn and sevs,al other