The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-05-31
A NOVEL
CONTEST
BY EDWARD TOWNE.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

IurneTs SOutncTner, anu OldI jacob.
son, a Swede. These two mems dis
positions partook of the climates In
which they had been reared, Turner's
being fiery, Jacobson's peaceful. Tur-
ner had taken q dislike to jacobson
and let no opportunity slip to inJure
or annoy him. Unfortunately for ia
cobson. Turner was strong man
thirty years old, while the object OF
his dislike was q youth of eighteen.
Turner could easily thrash Jacobson,
and. MS for more serious weapons than
fists, the southerner was sufficiently
skilled either with the pistol or the foil
to poke hole In the northerner with
out any risk whatever to himself
Captain Crofton knew about the
trouble, and it caused him serious an
noyance. No commander likes to have
those under him fighting among them
selves. 1t diverts their attention from
their duties and interferes with their
efficiency. The captain had remon-
strated with Turner, directing him to
let the boy alone. Turner declared
that 1t was Jacobson who was making
all the trouble.
One day when Turner and jacobson
were sitting opposite each other Mt the
mess table Turner thrust his legs over
on TO JacObson's side. jacobson in q
mild voice asked him to remove them.
Turner kept his legs where they were.
giving jacobson look as much as to
say, "What are you going TO do about
itT Jacobson raised his cowhlded
foot and brought his boot heel down
on Turner's instep. Both rose from
the table. but were not permitted by
their messmates to come together.
Turner sent one OF the crew to Jacob
son with a challenge to fight in any
way he chose, Turner Offering to sub
NIT to any handicap to equalize differ
ences.
This fracas having been reported to
the captain. he sent for jacobson to
come to his cabin.
do you wish to fight TurnerT ask
ed the commander.
yes. SIR"
''Well. l will permit the affair to
take place on one condition"
What Is that, sir?"
II to name the weapons"
"Do you propose something harm
less, like feather dustersT
mot at all. shall name weapons
TO XIII"
VERY well. sir. I will leave the terms
10 you"
Send message to Turner that you
Anlt ln.. nj
two bells and say that the weapons
will be provided"
Jacobson left the captain without
further inquiry as to the nature Of the
weapons with which he was to fight
and sent his acceptance of Turner's
challenge.
The news spread among the crew
that there was 10 be meeting be-
tween Turner and Jacobson the next
morning with the captains sanction.
Great interest was manifested ns TO
the kind OF weapons to be used, but
on this point there was no information
Forthcoming. The next morning at
two bells the combatants left the fore
castle and went on deck. They found
pumps with an Inch nozzle Oh each ly-
ing on the deck twenty PAGES apart.
"Cap'n's orders is" said the quarter
master. "them's the weapons-cold wa.
ter for ammunition"
IL may be supposed this meant that
the affair was to be turned into Joke.
The men who stood looking on knew
IN a.
man there but would rather have
faced IA sword or n pistol than Ice wa
ter In temperature of 20 degrees be-
low zero. Turner looked nj the weap-
ons and shuddcred. Jacobson looked
at them and took heart. He saw at
once that the captain had given him n
great advantage. A northerncr, he was
used TO the cold and could at least
stand such bath better than his AN
tag0nist He picked up his nozzle and
stood ready for the fray Turner took
up his with evident reluctance. Then
the word was given, the principals
turned the spigot. and the battle was
on.
jacobson received the first impact
of the water without any apparent
shrinking. At home In Sweden he had
been accustomed to 20 In the morning
70 river flowing near his home break
the Ice and take his dip, Turner, on
the contrary. WINGED. He had been
used 10 bathing when at home In water
between 20 and so degrees Neverthe-
less he was in for It and summoned
all his resolution 10 endure the cold.
There were no rounds, as In II pugil-
istic contest. II was understood that
each nun WIS TO stand up and receive
his cold bath til he was either frozen
or surrendered, Turner knew that II
beaten he would be cowed man; ia.
cobson understood that II he could pu,
his enemy out OF the fight he would
conquer d peace. Both were good
pluck. Turner's lips turned blue and
be was shivering; Jacobson drew in
long breaths of oxygen and stood
afaaAy la faxy Vninutao -.