The Virginia enterprise., 1909-04-16

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 bade her get up and
stop it.
TITS 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.'
1--WE changed my mind" said Gubbs,
leaning out and speaking in a low
voice to defeat the intentions Of Mrs.
Gubbs, who was looking. II dreamt
I 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"
y don't believe old Bullock's going
to make Tarbut bathe," said Gubbs,
shivering; Its 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
shingle to the edge of the water. 1t
was 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, offensively, and
rubbing himself furiously with the
towel.
Your rum" repeated Larkfns, 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 a
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 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 ap.
peals of the enthusiastic Larkins
"Only two cups of tea with your
breakfast" continued Larkins, solemn
ly, land no greens 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 a 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 1t 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 OH 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; ITS to be
a genuine sporting affair. No bad blood
or anything of that kind. After the
little affair, all what go to see it are
welcome to one drink at my ex
pense."
Its time my man was back" said
Bullock, looking up the road which led
over the cliffs. Il told him to go Just
as far as the ground and back"
"Old Peter Morgan's gone down to
the place, too, think" piped a small
lad In huge boots. Il saw i'm follow:
ing Of Tarbut."' >:
The landlord of the Three Fishers
started uneasily. Its on my mind, u
he said, in, a melancholy voice. that
that blessed old >teetotaier'il have the
thing stopped. He'll tell the police OF
something" :.
Conversation became general, and
In view Of the nearness Of the event
animated, but still the two gladiatora
failed to put in. an appearance.
Hes OVERRIDING it, that's what he
is,' said Mr.. Larkins, referring to the
ardent Gubbs. You can ave q man
too willing. He'll go and knock his
self up"