The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-27
MYNHEER JOE,
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
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RopERTBo

SOITy W cuCOuulSl iNAAo" l
under such peculiar circumstances, but
it cannot be helped. Circumstances
control these things more than any
power on earth, and Mynheer Joe has
made up his mind that he will moi
see Mollys father beaten if he car
help it.
II don't know you, man, but that
makes little difference. I'm on to you
III mount you just like we mount 4
broncho out West. Offer yourself as
substitute for this little venomous
spider, do you! Perhaps you belong
to the same miserable breed. We
whipped you twice, and, by hokey, we
can do it again. I'm glad you come
Kinder hated to touch the little chap
for fear I'd hurt him. I've seen his
kind fall to pieces. But you're flesh
and blood-you can take some punish
ment. I'm going to show the good
people Of Cairo how we do it out in
Chicago. You just say your prayers
Mister Man"
All the while he thus explodes like
the bursting of successive bombs, the
big man is rolling up his coat sleeves
He is no fool, and his eye tells him
that he has no child's play before him
The remarkably well-built form OF
Mynheer Joe betokens an athlete, and
the quiet manner in which he awaits
the attack is sufficient warning that
he means to do his business.
AS is natural, all this fuss and feath'
ers has drawn considerable attention
and quite a good sized ring is formed
around the duelists. They find them,
selves surrounded by mixed audience
of Jew and Gentle, Moslem and pa
gan, black faces, brown faces and
white.
The world is pretty much the same,
take it as you will. When men come
to blows there is no question about
the audience if others are within
reaching distance.
Even Oh the piazza a number of
guests belonging to the hotel can be
seen, having been attracted by the
rumpus. AS Mynheer Joe notes this
with q glance. somehow he finds him
self wondering whether she is there,
and if Molly will understand that he
is in this street brawl simply as the
defender of her pater-familias-the in
significant but belligerent little aggres-
sor. He hopes she may learn the truth.
No time is given for reflection, since
the other means business from the
word 60. Having prepared himself
for the work in hand by rolling up his
sleeves, the Western cyclone now
comes at the explorer with great fury.
His force seems irresistible; so does
that of the giant waves that come
rolling with tremendous energy; and
| yet the result is ever the same when
| they strike against the wall of rock
that marks the shore. There is con-
cussion, a splendid picture; the rock
is there just the same as before, but
the wave has been beaten back, baf-
fled into the trough of the sea from
whence it sprang.
So in this case, Mynheer Joe rep
resents the steadfast rock Of Gibral-
| tar. He meets the furious onset of
his powerful antagonist coolly, and
for brief period blows rain between.
Then the assailant backs out to get
new lease of breath. Astonishment
is marked upon his face. He has be-
/ hSroc nrti t1cn nf
his fists, but in, this quiet man he
finds one who can give him points.
| Although batfied in his first endeavor
to down this champion of the little
terrier that snapped at his heels, the
other does not give up the fight yet.
He is still in it, to the extent of his
two hundred pounds avoirdupois, and
if he can only put one of his sledge-
hammer blows just where it is want
ed, he will ask for nothing better.
Already, though the affair has last
ed only minute or so, the sympathies
Of the crowd are plainly on Joe's side
is action in assuming the place of the
small man has been seen; and, be-
sides, his way Of carrying himself wins
the hearts of the onlookers, many of
whom can appreciate the beauties of
the manly art, even if unable to box
scientifically themselves.
Thus, when the first round ends
in the rough Western cyclone being
hurled back, winded and baff1ed, if
not badly used. q murmur of oratifica-
ton arises from the crowd
They have already sized the two
duelists up, and although Mynheer Joe
is not so heavy as his antagonist, the
victory is in his grasp, according to
their way of thinking.
AS for Joe himself, be maans to
iniure the other just as little as pos
sibl1. Circumstances and his love of
fair play have thrown him into the
arena, and since he has taken a hand
in the game he must carry it out to
the end.
This sort of business is not to bis
liking; he has never posed as gladi,
ator or prize-fghter before an audi
cnce, but he firmly believes he is do,
ing his whole duty.
While he regains his breath and pre-.
pares for a second round the Western
tornado gives vent to his feeling iE
his explosive way:
"Ginger. l reckon I've bit off more'n
can chaw this time. Looks like