Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-03

listened, and quicker and quicker her
heart beat, for there was love in Phe-
Inns song as we'll as battle. Then
with face full of pride and triumph
he ceased, and cry OF admiration
broke out, for Phelim's cheeks were no
less flushed than the singers and all
felt that Con had won the prize and
was without a rival. But the piper
raised a trembling hand and called
for Phil Martin. So he came in with
a smile on his face and in his blue
eyes, and, pushing back the yellow
! locks from his forehead, began to sing.
| Then the silence of midnight fell upon
! them all, for his voice was sweeter
/ than the murmur Of the seashell. Out
| side the voice of the sea blended with
his, no longer loud and deep, but soft
and murmurous, as thought the singer
had laid spell upon it.
At last the song was finished and
there was silence, for none had ever
heard singing like this, and in the
heart of everyone the song still echoed
sweetly, so that none dared speak
Then Phelim rose to his feet, and the
tears ran down the burrows of his
| cheeks.
II was young once" he said, and his
voice trembled, land now I am old, yet
neither in youth nor in age have l
heard so sweet song, nor ever hope
again to hear song of music so
sweetly sung"
Then he put his hand on the young
mans shoulder and kissed him on
! both cheeks. "Take the prize" he
said, "for Con Heffernan has the voice
of hero, but to you the gods them
selves have given the sweet gift of
| song"
! The heart of Con Heffernan was
| filled with hatred and bitterness. That
he, who had been so long the hero of
the village, and without a rival in
1 strength of skill, should be dethroned,
and that, too, by an interloper was
| agony to his passionate heart, for he
saw that the judgment of all who heard
the singing was against him, and, bit
terest of all, that Eileen had listened
| to the victor with heaving bosom and
parted lips.
He would sing no more, but if the
| fair-haired stranger had a mind to
wrestle, then Con was his man. So
thinking, the desire to be avenged on
his rival became a passion with him
| When he had stretched his enemy up
| on the ground folk would forget that
| he had been beaten in the song in re-
membering his strength and skill in
| the wrestling.
So one MINDLESS, sunny day, when
the fishermen of Malbay sat upon the
beach mending their nets, Con saw
| the chance that he looked for, since
near to him sat Phil Martin, painting
| a line of white upon his boat.
Sing us a song, Con-" said one, land
maybe it will bring US the wind we
wait for
Il sing no more" Con answered,
| for it is but mean occupation for a
man, though it is good enough for wo-
men and boys" and he looked at
Martin.
Phil returned the glance, smiling.
| 1T lightens the heart anyway, and l
| kuUN uOLuIllS DellSl III IuC ouuSIIluS
when the wind is STILL" said he.
"'Tis no credit to a man, anyhow"
| Con returned, land I'd rather have a
| squeeze in the wrestling than all the
| songs that ever were sung"
! Then have your wrestling, Con"
! the others cried out for it was a lazy
day with them.
Con rose to his feet, shaking his
shoulders to free the muscles from
stiffness.
I'll stake a pair Of new oars against
J any man." he cried looking at Martin.
Il have a bit of frieze at home, and
| will lay it against your oars, if you
are willing" said Phil.
III need a coat for the winter" Con
returned.
"A pair of oars would be useful
said Phil, land so I am ready. Is it
the fairgreen you're for?"
Ills too far away" Con returned,
for his heart was full of fury, and the
harder the ground was the better he
liked it, since he was minded to throw
him heavily.
I'm agreeable" said Phil, taking
off his coat and smiling very pleasant
| ly.
SO the fishermen gathered round to
make ring, and having little doubt
of the issue-for Con had never yet
met his match in the wrestling, and
truth to tell, they were glad to think
that Con would make amends for his
loss of the prize for singing, seeing
that he belonged to Malbay, while
| Martin was but a stranger.
In a moment the two men were in
the grips. Backward and forward they
went, each striving to find out where
lay the others weakness and the SAND
was tossed up beneath their feet. Blu
those who watched soon saw that Cor
was well matched at last, and would
have to fight hard for the victory, il
spite Of his stature and great strength
Several times he strove to lii. Martin
from the ground, but could not; and
still Phil's face wore smile that mad
dened hirn. Now he forgot his skill il
anger, and tried to force his opponen
to his knees. For an instant victor!
seemed to be within his grasp, fol
Phil yielded, bending down as if be
meath a weight. Then, suddenly shak
ing himself free of Cons grasp b.
seized him by the thighs and hurled
him over his shoulders. Striking hi
head against the sand, Con Heffernal
lay as one dead.
So amazed were the fishermen at tn
. FOL of