Mower County transcript., 1903-11-25
SPANISH PEGGY
Copyright, 1889. by Herbert 8. Stone s Co.
A STORY OF YOUNG ILLlNoI!

drew deep inhalations of enjoyment.
For ever since Abraham Lincoln ap-
peared in New Salem they had wanted
to see him matched with Red Clary.
Lincoln knew he was about to succeed
or fail with the only argument which
could move those to whom might was
right. Eloquent and convincing words
had to be backed by a man who could
master his listeners. He was tired and
supperless. The Spanish girl leaned
down on her horses neck, unconscious
ly uttering prayers aloud for her
champion. The struggle would be over
in a few minutes, but if Red Clary
whipped him her future layi in unknown
and terrible places. That Antywine
was missing seemed token that the
worst must be in store for her. She
was in the grip of an evil force.
Both men threw off their round
abouts and vests. Lincoln faced his
two companions, making them a screen,
and hurriedly unfastened the belt of
gold which he wore under his shirt,
and put it in his hat. This he gave to
Sticky Green, who held it, while Yates
stood guard.
'You were cut out for a banker,
Sticky" said Lincoln. II wasn't
might burst the snakeskin and spill
the money"
= His opponent rushed at him like a
mastiff let loose, and Peggy doubled
herself lower upon the horses neck.
She heard the impact of blows, which
sent shudder after shudder down her
body, and the painting of spent breath.
The Grove boys set up a yell, and she
stuffed the horses name into her ears.
The big muscular bully who had made
everybody in the Sangamon country
afraid of him, and shaped public
opinion for the Grove, was taking some
cruel advantage of clean wrestler, un-
used to sledge-hammer brutality. Then
hush penetrated even the horsehair,
and Peggy looked as Lincoln knocked
Red Clary fiat beneath the chin of a
startled animal. He fell against it's
hoofs, and being pulled into the clear
space by one of his friends, lay still.
II reckon said Lincoln pulling his
own shirt collar wider open, and sitting
on the chest of drawers to breathe.
''he has the wind knocked out of
him.
"Goody" Peggy's own cry of thanks
giving was the first sound heard by the
vanquished man. He sat up, blink
ing at those who had seen him
humbled.
Lincoln bent over until his body de-
scribed right angle, and shook one
long horizontal arm at the unim-
paneled jury who would have to render
verdict in this first case which Yates
and he had associated themselves to
win.
"A boy,' he painted, ''is like a white
dress: soil him, and he can be washed
and made clean again. But a girl is
like a glass bottle: if you let her fall
or throw her down and break her, she
is broken forever. Now, men, are you
determined to have this poor little
bottle destroyed?' ?'
There is often speaeh WHARF there is
no language neard; and Pedro Lorimel
knew he stood by himself from that
instant.
He spurred his horse toward Sticky
to seize the hat and break away with
1t. But Antywine darted out of the
cabin and across the open space like
a stroke of light, intercepting the
Spaniard. His eyes large with fever,
and his high features impassioned, he
had almost the beauty of an apparit1on.
AS the two encountered, Antywine
seized the horses bits and jerked it
to its launches. He and Pedro Lori
mer stared at each other. Before the
rider found his balance again Lincoln
asked with whimsical significance:
Boys, how would any of you like
to get UP out Of chill-and-fever, and
find all Clary's Grove helping
stranger rob you of your own dear
gal?''
A sympathetic and sheepish grin
seemed to relax as much as could be
seen OF every rude face; and Pedro
Lorimer, throwing away caution,
spnrred over Antywine. The boy fell,
and leaped up, understanding it was
a struggle for Peggy. A whirlpool OF
shouts and plunging horses, and men
scrambling to mount, drove all
watchers back. Even Redmond
Clary's voice was heard. denouncing
t,!I l..l.4:.l LII IL :. -. .-..+.