The Topeka state journal., 1902-11-27

and men and come out on top every
time?
- Bout seven. sah but I didn't cut
no notches on a stick to keep tally I've
come over to Law yo' on yo'r back and
take Sue away
Then may the Lawd be praised he
says as he lifts up his hands. fur I'm
jest fur a riot The fust thing yo've
got to do is to lay me on nv back. and
tell yo' 1 shan't strike nor kick nor
bite. but / warn yo' that l shall slam yo
down on the airth in a way to lar the
hull stait of Tennessee
Thar was a cPar space in front of
his cabin said the old man, and when
the gal and her mother had cum out
doahs we threw off our coats and be-
gun biZness. l was accounted a power
full hand on wrassle. but that man
was also a powerful critter, and I reck-
oned I'd hev to hev help from the Lawd
to gain the victory. 1t was 10 O'Clock in
the mawin when we begun, and the
clock was Jest Strilkin' 1 when l Topped
him on his beck That spot of ground
| looked as if fo'ty hawgs had bin rootin'
it up fur a week. and we was so beat
out we could hardly speak Mo than
twenty times in them three hours that
critter had me almost dun fur, but I'd
send up a sort of prayer and git a new
hold, and at last I fetched him. When
he able to talk, he riz UP and took
my hand and seq;
I've bin Topped. l wouldn't a believed
yc' could hev dun it. but yo did, and I nj
sayin' yo' ar a purity good man. How
sumever. it amt over yit. Yo've got to
lick me to git Sue and I know yo' kin
never do it. Wen take three days to rest
up. and then 20 kin cum back and tackle
me- -
And did you go?s I asked as the old
man made a long pause.
Fur suah,' he replied. 81 was mighty
| and T kDnUpd he
be bad off. Besides. that gal Sue had
ho6ted fur me when 1 Topped her pop,
and knowed by that she with ne
ard would hope fur me to come out on
top. In three days I went back to hev it
out. The critter was a-lookin' fur me
and glad to see me. A bar had killed one
of his hawgs the day befo', and he was
b'ilin over with madness and hankerin'
fur row. When [ walks up to him, he
grins with delight and sez:
| = Ieb White, yo' laid me on my back
| tother day, but I reckon the Lawd help
| ed yo. He can't help yo in this ycre
fout which ar about to occur Yo' will
/ be licked man in two boots and a hoI-
ler- I'm gwine to hang on to myself and
not quite kill yo', but yoll be crippled
| fur life when it's over. Let the wimen
come out and see the fout.'
'Hows it to be?' L
| 9" "A far fout,' sez he No throwin'
rocks hittin' with clubs. Whoop
! Cock-a -doodle-doi'
"Waal, we went at it,, said Zeb as he
hitched around in his seat and his eyes
flashed. Sue and her NAV was out thar.
as befo' and the gal gimme a smile
| went in. 1t was rough and tumble
four I jest knowed I'd got to do my
| level best or go under, and didn't lose
no chances. That fout lasted mighty
nigh two hours, and two or three times
! was almost on the pint of lettin' go
Bimeby howsumever, I seen that Babbit
was gittin' tired out and the gal clapped
her hands and sicked me on Ten minits
arter that I had him whopped Thar
riz up and sez to me:
. 'Zeb White, I'm whipped man. and
that gal is yo'rs. 1 didn't believe thar
make me hoot, but yo've dun it, and now
when do yo' want the gal?'
. Right now 1 reckon says I.
Amt it purity sudden
g Not so very, bein as she's ready to
go
." Then, NAV, bring out the broomstick
and let 'em jump over it, and if they
want to be married by a preacher they
kin do it sum other time
And you took the girl home?" l asked
"Sartinly." replied Zeb. yes, sab
took her right home with me. with he1
feather bed on my back. and she s out
thar in the kitchen maxim mince pit
this mint. AS l was sayin'. these yere
marriages of today don't amount tC
shucks. When. yo luv a gal and hev tt
lick her ole pop to git her. then yo know
she's wuth the gittin'. Copyright, 1902
by C. B. Warner.)