The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-04-16

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troubling to give him a correct an
swer, he tried to solve it for himself,
and was then caught, just in the nick
of time, trying to make the enemies
shake hands.
"You go off to your mothers meet
ing, Peter Morgan" said an incensed
voice.
There's a purse O. fifteen and six
made up for the winner" said Larkins,
turning away and whispering the news
to Gubbs. 1.-The spot for the picnic'll
be made known later on. Them what's
in the know is respectfully asked to
keep their mouths shut to save trouble
all round"
A comfortable meal and good
nights rest restored Mr.. Gubbs to his
wonted serenity of mind, and he awoke
at six o'clock feeling determined to
shake hands with Tarbut and let the
matter drop. A persistent hammer
ing at the door, which gradually got
louder and louder, interfering with his
meditations, he reused Mrs. Gubbs,
who was sleeping peacefully, and with
some asperity babe her get up and
stop it.
Its Mr.. Larkins. Joe," said the lady,
hastily withdrawing her head from the
window.
"Halloa!" said Larkins, looking up
This won't do, you know. You're vast
ing time. You ought to be up and
out now"
I've changed my mind" said Gubbs,
leaning out and speaking in low
voice to defeat the intentions Of Mrs
Gubbs, who was looking. II dreamt
l killed Tarbut, an it's give me such
fright that I've resolved not to
fight"
That's all right" said Larkins,
briskly; dreams always go by con-
traries.'
well, there amt much comfort in
that" said Gubbs, sharply, anxious to
get back to his warm bed
You dress and come down." said
the imperious Larkins. you ought to
be ashamed of yourself after all the
trouble I'm taking on your behalf"
Mr.. Gubbs rubbed his eyes and pom
dered. whats the towel for?" he
demanded, suspiciously.
Rub you down with after you've
| bathed" said the other.
"Bathed?" said Mr. Gubbs, with en-
phasis. "Bathed? What for?"
Training" replied Mr.. Larkins.
Hurry up"
Il don't believe old Bullock's going
to make Tarbut bathe," said Gubbs,
shivering; ''it's weakening"
Shoulders back" said the small
publican. Head up
He led the way down to the beach,
and, ignoring the looks of aversion
which Mr.. Gubbs bestowed upon the
silver sea, stood by while he disrobed
and picked his way painfully over the
single to the edge of the water. 1t
was a bright morning, but somewhat
chill and Mr.. Gubbs' breathless gasp
ings furnished an excellent clew to
the temperature of the water.
You'll feel better when you've had
your rum" said Larkins, cheerily.
"'Ad my w-w-wot?" inquired Mr..
Gubbs, staring at him, extensively, and
rubbing himself furiously with the
towel.
"Your rum" repeated Larkins, stern
ly. You don't want your coat. I'll
hold that And mind, don't want you
to go running like steam engine or
runaway horse"
Il wasn't going to-" said Gubbs.
His manner was so dictatorial that
Mr.. Gubbs, remembering in time his
score at the Three Fishers" swal-
lowed something he was going to say
and it was nearly strong enough to
choke him-and set off at a strange,
weird gait toward the indicated goal.
He reached it at last, and after a
long two minutes started back again
in response to the semaphore-like APP
peals of the enthusiastic Larkins.
"Only two cups of tea with your
breakfast" continued Larkins, solemn
ly, land no green's for dinner, and I'll
send you in one pint of old ale every
day free gratis"
The battle was fixed for Saturday
evening, the two trainers, after much
wordy warfare, having selected site
which Mr.. Larkins insisted had been
made purposely by Nature with view
to affairs of the kind. Lofty cliffs
hid it from view, and the ground it.
self consisted of turf so soft and
spongy that Larkins predicted that
Tarbut would bounce up from it like
an india-rubber ball. The principals
expressed themselves as satisfied,
though their niggardliness in the mat
ter of thanks for the trouble which
had been taken over the arrangements
formed food for conversation for the
trainers all the way home
The boats got in early on Friday aft
ernoon with their fish. The catch was
small and soon disposed of, and the
attentive trainers, rescuing their men
from admirers. who were feeling their
arms and putting leading questions as
to their wind and state of mind, sent
them indoors with concise instructions
as to how they were to spend the last
evening. Larkins officiously sent his
man off for short, sharp walk after
his tea, and later on, going to the quay,
found that Bullock had given his man
the same instructions.
What 1 want is fair play and no
favor" said Mr.. Larkins; "it's to be
genuine sporting affair. No bad blood