The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-03

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took ten to consider the facts estab-
lished. when he would render his de-
cision with unbiased fairness and SOL
emnly add:
This l believe to be right, and I
will back 1t with all my strength"
There was but one appeal, and his
last words had bearing upon it. Any
one feeling himself aggrieved might
challenge the judge to physical COM
bat, and IL he proved himself superior
in that way, then the sentence would
be reversed; but not otherwise aud 1t
stands to the credit of his strength and
activity, as well as to his fairness and
impartial action, that no verdict Of his
was ever successfully appealed, and
only once was it seriously endangered,
for most men fought shy Of the ordeal.
preferring the first disappointment or
loss to a probable beating to go with 1t.
The exception was the case of a bur-
ly giant, who openly boasted that he
meant to test the virtue OF appeal at
the first. opportunity, and probably
sought to make it when he laid claim
to a deer which he had fired at and
missed, but which was almost Instant
ly brought down by a smaller COM
panion.
The latter, however, had no thought
OF surrendering his just rights, and
after a more or less bitter quarrel
Bush was sought as peacemaker and
adjuster of their respective claims.
He took less time than usual in con-
sidering the evidence placed before
him, for he had heard of the boasts
made by the big fellow, and he had
quietly sized him up during the run of
the trial, If such 1t could be called, so
he knew pretty well what he was do
ing when, at its close, he varied his
usual formula by saying to the little
man:
II believe the 'kirkiss' TO be yourn,
friend, an I'm ready to fight this bluff
fer till yer git it,"
A murmur of approval went around
when Bush said he would fight to
make his verdict hold. His antagonist
smiled in grim satisfaction, and an
nounced himself as ready to proceed
at once; so they repaired to nearby
plot where the grass was smooth and
soft, and with not even pebble visible
which might be used by either of the
combatants in assisting natures weap-
| lowed.
The news spread rapidly. and nearly
the whole population of the little ham,
let turned out to witness this struggle
for supremacy. Every one recognized
1t to be that, even Bush himself,
and he determined the victory should
be hard earned If he was to be the
loser
Each stripped to his shirt and buck
skin breeches and held up both hands
at arms length to submit to being
searched for concealed weapons, and
when the word was given they stood
| glaring at each other like two cautious
panthers waiting for a chance to
spring. Then there was a mad rush,
and they came together with a force
that was APPALLING, and clutching each
other with body grips that would crush
ordinary men, they swayed too and fro
bent this way and that sometimes up,
sometimes rolling over and over on
the green sward in a terrible struggle
for advantage.
For over an hcrr they fought on,
their breath becoming short and hot,
and each growing weaker from the
powerful strain, and yet fearful to
loosen a hold to get a better one lest
the other should be the grainer by it.
At last, falling heavily, they rolled
apart, and Bush, being the lighter and
quicker, was on his feet first, and this
time in closing in on his foe, managed
to get his left hand on the others
throat, while with his right he kept
guard over his own until the great
form OF the conquered giant sank down
exhausted and unconscious at his feet,
And so ended this singular battle in
| which no blow was struck, and which
was beyond doubt the severest test of
human strength and endurance ever
entered into between two rival gladi-
ators.
A contest OF th'7 kind usually re-
stores a friendly feeling between the
participants, but S h was not the case
in this instance The vanquished bully
became sullen ana resentful, but ne
never openly opposed Bush again or
sought further encounter with him
and very likely this incident would
have ended all intercourse between
them had not woman crept in to un-
consciously widen the breach already
made. 1t happened in the following
way:
About ten miles distant from the
hamlet two small. winding rivers came
together, forming the letter Y. On the
point thus made an intripid settler had
cleared small patch OF land and
built log house. which served as q
dwelling for himself and wife, with
their buxom daughter Mary.
Bush had discovered this clearing
and log hut one day in going to fish
for chub where the rivers meet, and
he knew the finy fellows lurked among
the shoals.
Astonished at thisl sign OF human
habitatiun where he had expected
nothing but the familiar trees and will
low brush which grew upon the point
ne stood several minutes watching the
blue smoke curl upward from the clay
chimney, and then he plunged boldly
into the shallow water and waded
across to become acquainted with the
strangers, whoever they might be.
Besides the settler and his family
whose names he learned to be Front
ne found his old enemy, Ben Hardic
who had forestalled him and was sit
ting by the fire contentedly smoking
his pipe after the manner OF an old ac'
quaintance.
The latter frowned when he saw who
the newcomer was. but he said moth
ing until Bush had departed.
After that Bush often found excuse
for wandering of In the direction oi
the point, and frequently he met Har'
die there. Both were evidently smit'
ten, and neither showed the slightes
disposition TO give way TO the other