The National tribune., 1901-07-04
ST KLEGG AND SHORTY.
from fourth p.se3
redundant hair close to bis head. "Tll
tell Won what to Dc"

hrmly. lou Know IN ueRo against
prize-fghting, and III have nothing to do
with it. The church is set against such
things, and any how I don't believe they're
right. There's nothing between you and
Shuck Dilworth, and-you've no business
to fight. It's down right wicked. and L
won't countenance it. I won't go near
it, and if you take my advice you'll keep
away"
"And let Shuck Dilworth and the 1st
Oshkosh crow over me and usF Shorty
answered sayagely. Much l will"
"If Shuck starts to Growing, then lick
him. That'n be all right. for he's insult
ing you. If any OF the 1st Oshkosh crows
over the 200th Ind. in my presence, I'll
lick him, because he's insulting the regi-
ment. We can manage to keep the peace,
somehow. The 1st Oshkosh wants this
fight to come off, because they haven't
made anything like the record of the 2O0th
Injianny, and they think they can even up
by having that big two-fsted shoulder
jolting lumber-boss lick you. That's an
other thing that makes it wicked. Let
them make their record same as we've
done, and not by fighting in camp
tom Radbone, you have been at
fights" said Shorty, 'You know what's
to be done. Will you be my secondf'
you do me proud murmured Tom,
blushing at the honor.
And I'll be time-keeper and referee"
said Abe Grimstead, producing the silver
watch of his railroad days.
Good; we're all right now," said
Shorty. You'll not have to call time on
me, remember. I'll toe the mark every
time, before the 80 seconds is up. You
hold the watch on the Other fellow. He's
dull and soggy. Been living too high back
there in the middle cou airy. IL he'd been
out there with us in the cave he wouldn't
hau on him Come along
l guess they're ready by this time"
Shorty had pulled off his shirt, drawn
his cartridge belt tightly around his waist,
and with his pantaloons tied at the bot
toms was ready for the ring. He threw
his blouse over his bare shoulders and
stepped off lively, followed by the most of
Co. Q.
Pete and Sandy, in spite OF remon-
strances, carried their gun, but no one
knew that they had been freshly loaded
and capped. They secured a position
which commanded full view of the ring.
The remainder of the 200th Ind. had al
ready gathered there, and raised a cheer
as Shorty strode up, SHE'D his cap into the
ring and leaped in after it.
The ring had been made in a piece of
soft yet firm sand from which every
chunk, and twig stump had been care
fully removed. 1t was inclosed by
into the ground. The burly Wagonmas-
ter of the Kankakees, armed with heavy
pine-knot club, officiated as ring master,
and maintained order around the rope.
The officers Of the 200th Ind, who had
been making a strong show Of knowing
nothing about what was going on, came
slipping along after their men, and taking
unobtrusive places in the rear Of the spec
tators. Some Of them wore private's
H. 1R 30 tha nlyat-
regiment and the LIST Oshkosh did the
same.
Presently, Col. McGilicuddy, the Major
and the Adjutanty seemed to think that
they ought to make reconnaissance of
the woods out in that direction, and only
ST and the Chaplain were left in camp.
Soon after Shorty's arrival cheer from
the side of the 1st Oshkosh, announced the
appearance of Shuck Dilworth, who sent
his cap into the ring, and jumping in after
it.
it, threw his coat off his bare shoulders,
walked to the scratch, and shook hands
with Shorty Tom Radbone dropped his
sponge and water-bottle, and coming up,
reached his hand across those of Shuck
and Shorty, and clasped that of Denny
Mulcahy, Shuck's second.
Abe Grimstead was chosen as time
keeper, and Jem Wilcox, an English
Orderly Seargeant of the Kankakee's ref
cree.
The seconds tossed up for corners, and
Shuck got the one with the afternoon sun
ut his back, at which the Wisconsin boys
cheered.
Then the knowing ones of the 200th Ind.
looked the two men over and heartened up
| their comrades.
Shuck was certainly taller and broader
| than Shorty, his muscles stood out in great
Jumps, and his fists were enormous. He
| clearly Outweighed as well as outreached
Shorty.
But, as Shorty had predicted, fat living
| and the easy life of riding around and
| bossing others had told on him. He was
| undoubtedly getting fat, and this would
| tell on his wind also.
On the other hand, Shorty was in the
| pink of condition. His fair skin shone
| like satin, his tendons stood out like whip
| cords, and there was no loose bagginess
anywhere. He stepped around like a
| game-cock, with his toes more on the
| ground than his heels.
There was intense excitement. as Abe
Grimstead called time, and the two faced
each other with a grin at the scratch.
The first round was an exhibition of
scientific sparring, which excited the ad-
miration Of all, and showed both to be
adopts in the manly art. 1t ended with a
clinch, from which they promptly broke at
| tne cOll1nduu OI the EeitIet, anu tdCH ie-
tired to his corner to be spOnged off by
| his second.
| They came up grinning again, but with
more determination showing in their faces.
There was q little less science now, and
more effort to land blows. Shuck at length
sent a crusher through Shorty's light
guard, and Shorty tried to jump away
from the long arm, but the last of its
force reached his mouth. Shuck followed
it with a rush, and they did not break
away so promptly this time at the ref
eree's order. When they did it was seen
that Shorty's lips were bleeding. and the
enthusiastic Badgers claimed first blood.
"Say, you must wind him, and either
keep outside, OF get inside them long arms
while the latter was seated on his knee be-
ing sponged off, "If he gets good lick
in on you, it'll be a settler"
'T'li do both" said Shorty. "IIl work
his wind out of him this round, and the
next I'll finish him up."
The next round, In spite of the jeers of
the Wisconsin boys, Shorty danced around
the giant, eluding his smashing blows,
which were every second becoming wilder,
while tormenting him with lightning like
passes. In the clinch they both went to
the ground together, and Shuck lay there
| till his second lifted him and carried him
| back. Shorty, however, was up instantly,
and seated himself on Radbone's knee.
"Ill finish him in about three seconds" )"
he said.
The excited Wisconsin boys were now
yelling at Shuck to force the fighting.
"Force him! Push him to the ropesI
| Sail right in and smash himi Grind him