The Washington times., 1903-09-06

I've lived a pretty clean life and taken
good care of myself-and I know that
counts. Anyway, it's good cause, and
I'll do my best. All I ask is to have
fair play"
Wen see to that" said the stout
man.
And another thing" the quiet man
went on There must be just as much
secrecy about this as possible. If any
thing leaks out it was only a friendly
bout with the gloves. see?"
eve see,'' said the little mayor. "And
as we are all going to be there. it viii
be TO our interest TO keep the affair as
quiet as possible. Aud-and you think
you are acting wisely, Brother Bur
leigh?"
The quiet man waved the question
aside.
There should be a little time for
preparation" he said. 81 am too stout
and must train down. 1 think ten days
Will be sufficient. Make those fellows
declare a truce during that time. Don't
tell them who your champion is. don't
care to provide any more fun for them
than I have to. You can make all the
arrangements. Mr.. Mayor
But the little mayor still looked
troubled.
This is very noble of you. Brother
Burleigh," he said. but do you think
you are acting wisely in thus sacrificing
your personal feelings-may I say"
Again Brother Burleigh ignored the
question.
Friends" he said. you all know me
pretty well. You will admit. think, 7
an. good citizen. a good church mem
Der, a good neighbor. You know that 1
was a wayward youth, but when 1 came
back from those wild years in the West
you asked no questions-you welcomed
the prodigaI without a word II I can
make you any return by meeting this
village bully am glad to do 1t. l look
10 you 10 see that my reputation does
not suffer from this meeting-however
my flesh may fare" He smiled as they
surrounded him.
"Jim Burleigh," said the sour-faced
man. as he put out his lean hand, what
can I do TO help your
John Carberry, old friend" Burleigh
smilingly replied. 81 appoint you my
trainer Report at my home at 5 O'Clock
tomorrow morning with your horse and
buggy and I'll take my first two-mile
run. I'll keep you all busy, my friends"
And he did.
II was a strenuous ten days for the
hackers Of the town favorite.
And in the meantime a truce had been
declared. For ten days Graceville rest
ed from the lawless irruptions of the
Inlet gang and in the meantime the In
let's pugilistic pride hammered the bag
and swung the clubs and wondered as
to the identity of the victim that was to
man, young and old, in the village. and
cudgeled his brain in vain in the effort
TO fix upon a possible pugilist. And not
once did his thought linger on that mild
hammered and soft spoken dealer IN hats
and caps, Brother James Burleigh.
The affair was kept remarkably quiet.
Each party would have seven represen-
tatives in addition to its principal, and
a referee was chosen from each side
ADi OLilti JOb IIdySOu s new STOCK DdfN,
which was just over the village line and
at safe distance from any residence.
was the meeting spot. The affair would
take lace just at sundown. and ii was
believed that there would be sufficient
light for the contest without the use Of
any artificial ones
Perhaps there could be no more faith
ful chronicler of the mighty fray than
the little mayor, who. under a strict
pledge of secrecy, told the story TO the
young pastor OF the Old Brick church,
who was absent on his vacation at the
mOmentous time.
I'm pretty sure, Mr.. Summerfeld," ="
he said, that there never was a more
serious locking party than was ours as
It stood there waiting at the-the ring
side. All except Brother Jim. The smile
he wore didn't come off through all that
eventful evening. Why, he actually look
ed happy. and Ii didn't feaze him a bit
when chuclSle went round among those
Inleters as he stepped into the-the
ring. And even when Joe German
laughed in his very face he put out his
hand IN the friendliest way, and kept
right on smiling. And then they went
at Il. l want TO tell you, Mr.. Summer
field, hat the first blow that STRUCK
Brother Burleigh hurt me almost as
much as it did him. And then felt mad.