Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-01-15

pompously toward the buggy, the
boys" in his triumphant wake.
We'll. Doc" said Riley with bolster
GUS joviality, what is it to-day-tea,
oats, or a clothes-wringer?"
The doctor laughed. 'I guess it's |
congratulations first, isn't it, Joe?"
"Pete's been leaking?" Riley play
fully slapped the mans shoulder.
There followed general exchange
of bantering pleasantries, then in a
little drift of silence the doctor said
genially: $50 this legacy was in your
mind week ago, Joe, when you
asked me to wait to settle that little
business affair of ours?"
Riley lifted one foot to the buggy
step and bent over to tie a dragging
shoe-string. Yes, Doc, had the leg
acy in mind all right"
Norton's smile held the radiance of
sunshine after a storm. The money
couldn't have come in more handy,
Joe. That little mother of mine is all
worn out. Now l shall take your $500
and send her TO the shore for as long
time as l can coax her to stay"
You amt a-frying your chicken be-
fore you've catched it, be you, Doc?"
"I-don't quite-understand" The
doctors mind fumbled for the point
of humor in Joe's joke.
This here sleek, bobtailed fortune
amt no hack horse to haul load of
debts She's to be ridden for sport
see?"
Come, joe" said the doctor quiet.
ly, quit your footing. I'm in dead
earnest"
$50 am T."
Norton's eyes blazed. "Joe Riley,
give you fair warning-I'll put up with
no nonsense! You'll pay me that 5000
or I'll have the law on you!"
And l the laugh on you, Doc Nor
toni" cried Joe. mimicking the doc
tors tone. Your bill was outlawed
J yesterday had that in mind, too,
! when | asked you to give me another
week."
For an instant the doctor sat mo-
tionless, then he threw the lines out
of his hands and jumped from the
buggy. Dashing off his coat and toss.
ing it on the sidewalk, he cried: THE
bills outlawed, is it? By heaven,
We'll settle it without the law them"
The astonished Riley skunk back
from Norton's threatening fist
You're making pretty good bluff
Doc" he laughed derisively, but il
don't cut any ice with me! You book
ish men amt got the ginger to fight
II and"
A blow from Norton's fist stung
crimson trail down Rileys left cheek
o. With a cry of rage Joe sprang upor
e. his antagonist.
Out of hurrying clouds of dust III
IS and down the pike men came running
n, Something was doing" in front o.
Ie Watson's-in the field the plow was
,r left in the furrow; in the butcher
); shop the cleaver flung down upon the
st chopping-blcck!
N There was no time for explanations
ct and the crowd was not one of fine dis
a elimination, but for the past ten year,
Is Doc Norton had come into intimat,
lie touch with their lives and hearts, ant
st they championed him to a man.
Y! Go 1t, Doc! Steady there! That
1t, the boy, Doc!' were cries given in al
a ascending scale of enthusiasm.
B. Riley's great bulk was now a wal
ne of self-defense, now a battering ran
ed of danger against his foe. But MOI
ne tons staying power, his habit of ie
lg noring fatigue, aches and pain in tn
ne performance of a physicians duties
had stored the strength of resistanc
ed in every fiber of his being, while hi
of alertness, both of mind and body
a.,
rs into prolonged play with Riley's lun
bering clumsiness.
The blow upon Joe's left cheek n
longer showed-his whole face was
p, purplish crimson, drops of sweat tricl
-, ~ ling from his forehead, his breat
ar coming and going pantingly.
Come, Joe-give in" cried Morton
Let's call II finish.'
oe 'Never!" yelled back Riley
~ With new spurt of fury the figf
continued
'ut Suddenly Joe staggered threw L
Hl his arms, reeling to one side On tt
eu instant Norton dropped the attac
lth standing off guard. In a flash JC
TX. swung down his arms, gave a lune
;! forward, devilish CLEAN in his Gu
Wy ming eyes.
lie A moment more and Norton, trickt
second time, would have bee
tripped up and thrown to the groun
in but in that moment an intuitive sem
MT of danger made him spring aside b
he fore Riley's outstretched fingers cou
ch. snatch at his ankles.
1T Riley, clutching at the air, lost h
Joe balance and pitched forward-as
ore struggled to regain his footing hal
'at- of steel gripped the back of his shi
He collar, a weight bore down upon h
the shoulders, forcing him firmly to h
sidewalk, where he sprawled in Il
ing dust. Doc Norton's hold still on b
| COLLAR