Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-05-18

them had been running hgh In tne
store, it ended by bet of $40 on
the part Of Clary that Jack Arm
strong was a better man. Now,
, slack was a powerful twister," square
built and strong as an OK" He had, be
sides, great backing, for he was the
chief of the "Clary's Grove boys" and
the Clary's Grove boys were the terror
Of the countryside. Although there new
er was under the sun a more generous
parcel Of rufhans than those over whom
Jack held sway, strangers introduc-
ton was likely to be the most unpleas-
ant part of his acquaintance with them.
In fact, one of the objects of their asso-
citation was to initiate or naturalize
newcomers" as they termed the amia-
BILE proceedings which they took by
way of welcoming any one ambitious
of admittance to the society of New Sa
lem.
Abe Tackles Jack.
Thus far Abe had managed to escape
initiation at the hands of Jack and
his associates. They We're disposed to
like him and to take him on faith. or at
least to require no further evidence Of
his manhood than that which rumor
had already brought them. Offutt, with
his busy tongue, had spread wide the
report of his wondrous doings on the
river, and, better still, all New Salem,
including many of the Clary's Grove
boys, had witnessed his extraordinary
feats of strength and ingenuity at Rut-
ledge's mill dam. It was clear that no
particular person was spelling for a
collision with him, and an exception to
the rule might have been made in his
favor but for the offensive zeal and
confidence Of his employer
The example Of Offutt and Clary was
followed by all the ''boys," and money,
knives, whisky and all manner Of
things were staked on the result Of the
wrestle The little community was ex-
cited throughout, and Jacks partisanS
were present in great numbers, while
Offutt and Bill Green were about the
only persons upon whom Abe could re-
ly if the contest should take the usual
turn and end in a fight. For these and
many other reasons he longed to be
safely and honorably out of the scrape,
but Ofutt's folly had made it impOssi-
BILE for him to evade the conflict with
out incurring the imputation and suffer
ing the penalties Of cowardice. He
will not. don't like this wooling and
pulling"
But these scruples only served to ag-
gravate his case, and he was at last
forced to take hold of Jack, which he
did with will and power that amazed
the fellows who had at last baited him
to the point of Indignation. They took
side holds and stood struggling, each
with tremendous but equal strength,
for several minutes without any percep-
tible advantage to either. New trips or
unexpected twists were of no avail be-
tween two such experienced wrestlers
as these.
Presently Abe profited by his height
and length Of his arms to lift Jack
clear off the ground, and, swinging him
about, thought to land him on his back,
but this feat was as futile as the rest
and left Jack standing as square and
as firm as ever. "Now, Jack" said Abe,
"let's quit. You can't throw me, and
can't throw you.''
But Jacks partisans, regarding this
overture as signal Of the enemy's dis
tress and being covetous Of jackknives,
whisky and smooth quarters" cheer
ed him on to greater exertions. Rem
dered desperate by these expectations
of his friends and now enraged at meet
ing more than his match, Jack resolv
ed on foul, and, breaking holds, he
essayed the unfair and disreputable
expedient Of '1egging." But at this
Abe's prudence deserted him, and right
eous wrath rose to the ascendant
The astonished spectators saw him
take their great bully by the throat
and, holding him out at arms length,
shake him like child. Then score or
two of the boys cried "Fight" Bill
Clary claimed the stakes, and Offutt,
in the fright and confusion, was about
to yield them, but Lincoln said they
had not won the money and they should
not have it, anC, although he was op-
posed to fighting, if nothing else would
do them he would fight Armstrong,
Clary or any Of the set.''
Just at tbs junctIre James Eut.elgc,
and man Of some authority, rushed
into the crowd and exerted himself to
maintain the peace. He succeeded, but
for a few moments a general fight was
impending, and Abe was seen with his
back against Offutts store undismayed
and resolute, although surrounded by
enemies.
Abe and Jack Cronies.
Jack Armstrong was no bad fellow
after all. He was stout and rough, but
great hearted, honest and true. His big
hand, his cabin, his table and his purse
were all at the disposal Of a friend in
need. He possessed rude sense Of
justice and felt an incredible respect
for a man who would stand single
handed, stanch and defiant in the midst