The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-12-14

up Win al aoI upl JUL III TIC IlDS. nat
taught him caution, but it shortened
his breath, and altogether he felt rather
dizzy, and as the young man with the
eXasperating smile went circling. bob
bling and stamping about the room
Johnny had hard work to keep the
run of him.
Are you onto the pivot?" came from
the segment of the houlder-working
| circle.
Before Johnny could reply his oppo-
nent stood still for a space of a sec
ond, with both arms extended; then
he spun around on his heel and Johnny
| fell into the coal scuttle and stayed
there until he was pulled out.
Nevertheless he is of the opinion that
he would have made short work of the
young man with the horseshoe pin if
the bout had lasted a little longer.
Johnny thought of that boxing match
as he strobe ever the Clark street
bridge and of how he would turn it
| to account if he should be invited to
throw up his hands instead of to put
up his mitts. He would swing around
Ou OhS lootPtd Will lhdl SuOl ii
body blow, catch the other with his left
on the point of the chin or the hinge
of the jaw and deliver blow after blow
with such lightning-like rapidity that
they would have no chance to retaliate.
There were two uspicious-looking
young men standing before the door
Of saloon from whence came the
sound of piano and fiddle-just the
fellows for the business, Johnny
thought. as he passed them. He eyed
them boldly and steadily, and they
both looked at him and laughed.
Three more men were advancing to-
ward him along the sidewalk. and he
threw out his chest and squared his
shoulders. They passed him by without
a word.
1t would be a good thing, thought
Johnny, if he should hear girl
scream. and. on dashing up, should find
after he had dispersed the ruffians
that it was the daughter of old Wat
son whom he had rescued. Watson was
Jchnny's employer, and he lived on the
North side. too. Still, on reflection,
it was not likely that she would be
roaming around at that time of night.
For another thing, he was not sure
that old Watson had daughter.
There were quite number of people
out on the street that night, and John
ny began to feel sense of exhilaration
He thought he knew that eight out OF
ten of them would have dragged him
into one of those mysterious doorways
and there would have strangled and
robbed him-if they had only dared
At the same time, there were few
mighty ugly faces here and there un-
der the glare Of the street lamps, and
Johnny began to own to himself
that he would not care to handle more
than two of the fellows at time.
He began to wonder if one or two
who had looked rather hard at him
were following him, and he instructive
ly looked back. Certainly there were
people coming along after him. but
they might be innocent of any design
upon him. Would they, if they had de
signs and if by any mischance they
should happen to overcome him, ex-
press their disappointment at his i'm
pecunious condition with billies and
brass knuckles, or would his watch ap-
pease them? Was it really worth while
to make a hard fight and imperil his
existence for cheap watch and 10
cents? He asks himself this question
He had passed Chicago avenue and
was walking little faster and close to
the curb, for it was darker along here
and quieter. Presently he crossed the
street and turned into path that ran
diagonally across a small park. As
he approached the fountain that was
in the center he heard sharp. metallic
clink and rattle that made him start
from the cement path to the bordering
grass. A dark form at the same time
appeared from behind the fountain
and spat out mouthful of water with
what Johnny recognized even in the
half-gloom as an appearance OF disgust.
"Say!" called the apparition.
But Johnny had passed around him
and was striding rapidly off.
"Say, you'll" it called again.
Johnny looked back and saw the ap
partition was walking after him. Then
he threw appearances to the wind and
ran.
1t was nearly mile to his home, but
he did not stop once and hardly slack
ened speed until he was sitting, pant
ing, on the lowest of the front steps
At last he recovered sufficiently to ring
the bell. His father shuffled downstairs
with a lamp in his hand and his suz-
penders trailing behind him.
"What's happened to you, johnny"
he asked, when he saw his sons white
face.
Nothing" replied Johnny, rather
breathlessly still. 81 wanted to see
how fast I could sprint on asphalt. |
| made good time," he added. vain
gloriously.