The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-05-03

S"AJ ""h''u ohc VI tHtm, they al
wanted her.
Here was a dilemma. for though shs
had carried three pieces of coal IL
her pocket OR many days. she wa.
still quite unable TO decide which she
liked best. Her hesitation induced d
mild suggestion from her uncle, and
numerous well directed and exceed,
ingly blunt hints from his wife
These. coupled with the attentions
OF the three young men, drove Sally
Ann almost 10 despair.
At last Nick Martin brought ma.
tiers TO a crisis and asked Sally Ann
to marry him. She, in the depths OF
her indecision. answered. II want IA
marry one of you, but ! can't make up
my mind which to take"
Nick left the house that night, decr
in thought. and impressed with what
he thought a great idea. The next day
when the shifts changed at the mines.
he called nnoris and Williams TO him.
and explained the situation.
"Now," he said. 'this is nv idea.
We be's all of a size about. and we'se
all want the girl" Then he proposed
his plan. ''ThatT settle il. and there
won't be no more fuss about IL; VIII n
dye say?"
1T do be a good plan. indeed. Ind
said Tom Williams, "and 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.-
\ihCf 1'ra Cnu ma IaI1t. ...-I. rs
cried Martin to DOORS.
well, you fellers can do what v.
want" was the answer, but | ain't
goin' to make a fool of myself like
that"
"Oh. golly. my"
Listen 10 him, will yep"
These ordinations of contempt
greeted his decision. and Martin con-
tinued. We'll. you're out Of il, then:
she won't have nothin' 10 do with you
after she hears we're afraid"
IL 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 spreal
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 10
see the affair. and rather proud tina.
she was the sole cause of such an
unusual proceeding. made her was
early in the afternoon with the inten-
ton Of finding a 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 c~rushers. and by the long
abandoned shutes. reached n window
about so feet above the ground. which
commanded a view Of the mountain
back of the breaker.
II was shortly after six when viii |
liams and Martin with their friends |
arrived and joined the crowd which
lad already assembled. Preparations
were quickly made. A hollow square
was formed by the people. two blocks
of wood were placed in opposite cor
ners and n 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
taken to the old boiler house,
appeared. Each was stripped 10 the
waist. and their muscles. hardened
by years Of toll in the mines. stood
ont boldly and defiantly on their
arms and chests. The men
passed into the square and were
roundly cheered as they seated them
selves in the orners. SANDY" Griffin.
upon himself the duties OF
master Of ceremonies, stepped to the
He looked around with n
proud look of satisfaction and cried,
'Lcddies. kids and gents. I take the
happiness of introducing TO We Tom
my Williams and Nick Martin. what
10 he here ter fight ter a finish and
may der best man win"
What arc the stakes. what are the
Sandy boy?" called out some
,ne. loosely.
Sandy continued gravely. 1.-THE gent
hat wins this ere fight will have the
privilege Of marrying Sally Ann. which
Tcr all know
"Hurrah for Sally Ann" shouted
he crowd.
And" went on Sandy. "ef he do be
real gent he'll invite all on us 10 the
Wedding and have plenty of beer"
"You bet he will. Sandy" yelled the
Meanwhile Sally was looking on
rom her window. fascinated by the I
Gene and eager for what was coming. !
this was new TO her and she |
every movement intently. I
The men stepped TO the center and c
hands. and in a moment. with q
linchcd fists and arms advanced
Tere slowly circling around ZACH @
fher. with set muscles. every nerve I
ense and eyes alert. Now Williams il
IT arm flew out, but Martin spraag {