The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-04-27

Here was dilemma, for though sh
had carried three pieces of coal il
her pocket for many days, she wa
still quite unable to decide which sh,
liked best. Her hesitation induced
mild suggestion from her uncle, an,
numerous well directed and exceed
ingly blunt hints from his wife
These, coupled with the attention,
of the three young men, drove Sail,
| Ann almost to despair.
At last Nick Martin brought ma |.
tiers to crisis and asked Sally Ann
to marry him. She, in the depths O,
her indecision, answered, 81 want II
marry one of you, but can't make uT
my mind which to take"
Nick left the house that night, decr
in thought and impressed with what
he thought great idea. The next da,
when the shifts changed at the mines
he called DOORS and Williams to him
and explained the situation.
Now" he said, this is my idea
We be's all of size about, and we'se
all want the girl" Then he proposed
his plan. 'That'll settle it, and there
won't be no more fuss about it; whit
dye say?"
1T do be good plan, indeed, lad
said Tom Williams, land I'll be with
you. There do be no use waiting.
neither, so I'll be ready tomorrow
after work, back of the old Katydid."
What dye say, me laddie buck ?"
cried Martin to DOORS.
We'll. you fellers can do what We
want" was the answer, ''but / amt
goin' to make-a fool of myself like
that"
"Oh, golly, my!"
Listen to him, will ye?"
These Neyclamations of contempt
greeted his decision. and Martin con-
tinued, well, you're out of it, then;
she won't have nothin' to do with YOU
after she hears we're afraid"
1t was not until late the next morn
ing that Sally Ann heard about it,
for the men had made no secret Of
their intention, and as their plan was
universally applauded by the people
of the Patch the news soon spread
and everybody was anxious for the
appointed time.
The place selected, back of the old
katydid breaker, was a quiet spot on
the mountain just above Brandy
Patch, and there Sally Ann. eager to
see the affair, and rather proud that
she was the sole cause of such an
unusual proceeding, made her way
on tIx n hn oft
ton of finding spot from which she
could see everything and not be seen.
The old breaker offered an excellent
place of concealment and up its rick
ETY. and blackened steps she climbed
and carefully making her way past
the rusty crushers, and by the long
abandoned shutes, reached window
about so feet above the ground, which
commanded n view of the mountain
back of the breaker.
1t was shortly after six when Will
liams and Martin with their friends
arrived and joined the crowd which
lad already assembled. Preparations
were. 9lliRltl.u. y--en5 p~ofn~,-r 40 -.s,~-'-'
Of wood were placed in opposite cor
ners and q pail of water near each
man. Sally Ann from her vantage
point viewed all these proceedings
with extreme interest.
Then williams and Martin, who had
been taken to the old boiler mousse
appeared. Each was stripped to the
waist. and their muscles, hardened
bv wears of toll in the mines, stood
out boldly and defiantly on their
splendid arms and chests. The men
passed into the square and were
roundIy cheered as they seated them
selves in the corners. SANDY" Griffin,
taking upon himself the duties OF
master of ceremonies. stepped to the
center. He looked around with a
proud look of satisfaction and cried
'.Lcddies, kids and gents, take the
happiness of introducing to we rom
nv Williams and Nick Martin, what
do be here ter fight ter n finish ana
may der best man win"
"What arc the stakes. what are the
stakes, Sandy boy?" called out some
one, loosely. ,
Sandy continued gravely, "The gent
that wins this ere ngnt VIII nave w.
privilege of marrying Sally Ann, whic'
yer all know"
"Hurrah for Sally Ann shouted
the crowd.
| "And," went on Sandy, "ef he do b.
a real gent he'll invite all on us to TIN
wedding and have plenty of beer"
"You bet he will, Sandy yelled TN
crowd.
Meanwhile Sally was looking o.
from her window, fascinated by TN
scene and eager for what was coming
All this was new to her and sh
watched every movement intently.
The men stepped to the center an
shook hands, and in a moment, wit
clinched fists and arms advance
were slowly circling around eac
other, with set muscles, every ner'
ttense and eyes alert. Now William
left arm flew out. but Martin spra'
, away. Again Williams struck, b'
, Martin avoided the blow, but when h
{ adversary struck third time ]
E rushed in and the men met with
I rush, striking wildly and fiercely
: oaot, otber,s body. Then there was