The Washington times., 1903-09-06

a power for bad, the sooner we get rid
of you the better. Name your price.
The sour-faced man started up.
"Oh, come" he cried, you were not
authorized to say anything of that sort"
The little mayor perceptibly stiffened.
''The cost would have come out of my
own pocket. Brother Carberry," he slow
ly said He turned his gaze on the other
six THE German youth seemed to hes
itate for a moment" he resumed "and
then he gave me a queer look and his
eyes twinkled strangely. I've got n
price he said. but I'm afraid you
won't meet II. It's a square deal on my
part. Listen. I'll promise you 10 quit
this fooling and either get out of town,
or go TO work, on one condition. He
gave a little chuckie as he went on
Here's the bargain he said. III
promise you to quit If you'll find in this
town any man good enough to best me
with or without the gloves at any time
and place you may mention. II he whips
me throw up the sponge all around. II
I whip him, why, things will run along
about as usual. 1 suppose. Anyway it's
up 20 you. What do you say?' l sup
pose l must have looked dumfoupded.
Anyway. he added with a laugh, Think
Il over and let me know. And don't for
get the conditions. 1t will be to fin
ish before a certain number of picked
spectators. You bring your gang and
I'll bring mine. You name time and
place and produce your championship
must be a Graceville man. See you soon.
l hope he added, and vent away. laugh, :,
ing merrily."
The little mayor paused and looked at
his guests in deprecatory manner.
Il should have called after him and
told him it was impossible" he added,
but somehow l didn't"
The sour ced man stirred uneasily.
And is that your solution OF the prob
lem?" he growled. We'll. it's all non
sense-alI nonsense. do you hear?"
Il can't agree with Brother Carberry."
came the quiet voice of the broad-shoul-
dered guest.
"Eh!" cried the sour-faced man, as
they all looked round.
We must fight the powers of evil with
its own weapons" said the quiet voice.
That's the quickest and surest way to
success"
But in this case, Brother Burleigh,"
broke IN the stout man near the door.
the evil ones representative is known
TO be the best fighter and huskiest youth
in the county"
Brother Burleigh smiled.
The principle holds good just the
same" he quietly said.
It's nonsense, l tell YOU" cried the
irascible Carberry. Where are we to
find a champion TO meet this trained
bruiser:"
Not here" laughed the stout man by
the door.
He has thrown down the gage of bat
tie" said the little mayor, "and we can
not take it up"
Carberry.
But can you answer for the whole
vilIage?" the little mayor mildly asked.
There may be somebody willing TO meet
this strutting fellow. Although" he
quickly added. "as an officer of the viii
lage and sworn TO keep order and en-
force obedience TO the law. I must ad-
nit that this is entirely irregular and
quite indefensible. And yet il does seem
simple as we'll as effective way OF
accomplishing a great good"
I don't see anything remarkably sim
pie in being pounded by a husky young
rufianu" declared the peppery Carberry.
The little mayor ignored the remark.
But where are we to find this de-
livereT?' he helplessly asked.
"Where?" echoed the stout man.
Where. indeed?" snorted Carberry.
Where" murmured all the others,
save the man with the quiet voice.
The little mayor looked at him.
DO you know of any such man.
Brother Burleigh?" he asked.
Il think l do" said Brother Burleigh.
"Eh!" gasped Carberry.
Name biml" cried the stout man.
Brother Burleigh's smooth face red
dened.
II meant myself" he slowly said
There was a chorus OF surprise.
But do you think you are compe-
tent?" cried the anxious little mayor.
Brother Burleigh smiled.
II think / am." he answered. Il don't
know. I'm thirty-iive and past the age
for the best efforts in this line. But