The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-06
LESSON ON ARBITRATION.
Taught Two Youngsters Who
Thought 1t Manly to Indulge
in Fighting.
Their Instructor Was a Boy of
Larger Growth and More
Experience.
In Their Discontinue the Combatants
I'm Their Discontinue the Combatants
Forgot All About the Cause of
Their Trouble.
Written for THE HELENA INDEPENpENr.l

Written for THE HELENA I"NDEPKNpENr.1
TN THE MIDST OF THE BARREN
N hills and rocky pastures which surround
L the town of Annisvills is a circular
area of green turf about fifty feet in
diameter. from which steep grassy banks
rise ON all Sides. II is just the place for the
dances of the elves and fairies on moon
light nights. Far different is the purpose
which it serves in the day time. For many
years it has been the fighting ground of the
boys of Annisville, and from being put to
this use it has gained its name of the Bat
tleield. Here a joyous crowd often assem-
bled to see a couple of your stsrs punch
each others heads; and hithsr ons fine af-
ternoon in May a little procession came
trooping to see Ralph Tucker fght little
Bobby Tstlow.
The procession moved in three divisions.
First game Ralph, surrounded by his ad-
mlrers. then Bobby with a much larger
crowd. for he was a great favoEite. and
lastly the neutral spectators, who had no
special preference, but merely came out to
see the fun. Both ~combatants must have
been about Is years old, but they vera very
different in point of size. Ralph was tall
and loose-iointed. while Bobby was short
and thiokset. Ralph was pale and nerv-
GUS. He said very little to his friends, and
seemed to feel somewhat ashamed of him
self. But this was natural. for he had never
been in a real fight before. Bobby had
been in q dozen, and was as nonehalant
and talkative as if he were going to his din
ner.
When the procession reached the battle
field. the spectators sat down in little COM
panies ON she steep aides Of the hollow.
while each gladiator stripped off his coat,
handed ii to q chosen friend, and prspa red
for action. Then the two little wretches be.
gan to dance about on tiptoe. for neither was
in much of q hurry TO begin. Ralph was the
stronger, but he knew nothing about fight
ing; and he thought Bobby did. But
Bobby, in spite of his dozen battles, in
most of which, by the way, he had been
worsted. did not much want TO get toe
close to Ralph, for Ralph was strong and
angry, and altogether not the sort of fellow
Bobby liked. In a few minutes, however.
the crowd began 10 taunt them with
being afraid of each other. Upon thi.
Ralph, who was more afraid of ridieuie
that of Bobby Tetlow, rushed upon his 70.
and struck ont with q succession of very
unsoientifc blows. Bobby defended him.
self manfully, and, to tell the truth
,nos' VI haipu ssfoAeS came nowhere neal
him; but at last one swinRinR blow struoi
him full upon the ear and the gallant Bobby
fell TO the earth. He was mp in an instant
however, and attacked poor Ralph. VIII,
already had begun to consider himself
victor, with such yigor that he was obliged
TO give way, and in doing SO stumbled
backward on & stons and sat down VIC
lently on ths ground. This Was more thar
the spectators could have asked for. The,
rose and oheered loudly, while Ralph go
up and feroely prepared to pitch in again