Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-11-15
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| THE RIVALS.
Hov Their RScofry Ended IN an
Inssyruefsd FiSbf.

ciation.l
The coach swung down an incline,
the brake scraping noisily. AS we
reached the hollow one of the passen-
| gers, boy of sixteen. put down a
window, letting in lot Of foggy night
air. There were coughings and NUT
terings, and a man endeavored to raise
the window, but the boy hung on.
Then the coach stopped suddenly, the
door was thrown open and a voice
said:
"Hey, doctorr'
A man of professional appearance
started and looked uneasy.
"You a doctorT' asked the man at
the door.
81 am surgeon"
"All the better. You're wanted. Git
out"
1t was not yet clear but that the
coach had been stopped by road
agents. and the surgeon quickly alight
ed.
IAN right. Drive on. Doctor. you
git on TO that critter and come along
The doctor made feeble protest,
which was not listened to, mounted
the horse referred to and. with a man
riding on either side, one Of whom
carried the doctors bag, proceeded by
crossroad.
"W-w-hat are you going to do with
meT asked the medical man.
"Oh, don't be skeered. You're not
goin' TO be hurt. Are your tools in the
bagT'
II have some instruments there"
well, you're TO be ready at a fight
to patch up one or both Of two men
that is, If they're not killed before the
fracas is ended. Y see, Tom Biglow
and Abe Huchins, they got stuck on
the same gal, and there don't appear
no way to settle the matter except for
one OF 'em 10 kin the other. They
beln' good friends and neither wantin'
an advantage. they want TO bev the
fight conducted with all the fourishes
OF an old fashioned duel. South Caro-
lima Jim, he arranged it all for 'em
and says they must hev a surgeon"
"But hasn't the girl got anything TO
say about it;'
''The gal! Oh, she don't know that
either Of 'em want her. They tum-
bled 10 her only last week v see. out
yere in Arizony there hain't many swo-
men, and this one she come out with
her folks only week ago lookin' as
purity as a leetle red wagon. Tom
and Abe both seen her to onct. and
both said they was goin' for her. But
IL wouldn't be far for either Of 'em to
60 in ahead of the other, so they made
1t up 10 fight for her. Tomorrow
mornin' they're to walk, one up and
tother down the road, and when they
get within shoOtin' distance they're to
begin firm. South Carolina Jim
wanted 'em 10 stand still and fire
when he dropped his hat, but they
said there mought be a chance of one
on 'em bein' charged with shootin' be-
fore the signal, and they preferred TO
do the job without any sich tomfool
restrictions. But they let Jim hev his
way about the surgeon. We KEEP
Johnny Croker On the stage every 1ay
Tor week TO find out If there was
doctor aboard, and If there was John
ny was TO let down the wjnder when
he come to the boiler"
And how far" asked the doctor,
ARE you going TO take me out OF my
way on this stupid business?
"Yere we are" was the reply. and
they pulled up at cabin beside the
road. A man appeared at the door.
lighted only by candle within.
I'VE setched him." said one of the
men on horseback. Then to hts fellow
horsemaD he said: "You ride over and
tell Abe There's the dawn comm
! now. Tell him soop's he sees the first
speck of the sun TO start, Tom IL
start from we're at the same time"
The messenger went on. and the
others entered the hut. The owner
drew quart bottle from beneath his
coat and passed it 10 the doctor hut
the doctor declined.
Not drink this chilly mornm'. ex-
claimed his entertainer "Why. what's
goin' 10 stiddy your hand when you're
cuttin' ont bullet or tryin' 10 stop a
flow Of blood:'
That's just what would unsteady
me-" replied the doctor.
This statement was received with a
stare of wonder. and the conversation
turned upon other topics Tom Biglow
| spoke Of his future with us much con.
fdencc as If he were not going within
an hour 10 be one Of two targets for n
dead shot When that hour had Iassed
and the dawn had developed into
broad daylight. leaving BiGlow, The
two others mounted and cantcred
down the road for mile, when the
doctors pilot stopped.
They're 10 begin firm when they're
On that and that crest" pointing in on.
posite directions. You're to stay we're.
where y'll be about even between 'em
both"
After awhile they saw first one H.
ure standing ON Il crest and soon after
another on the opposite crest. Both
advanced and when they thought they
were within range fired a couple OF
shots each, but they were too far apart
for execution. At that moment a man
and woman came riding furiousiy
across the plain.
"Stop this" shouted the man.
! A signal was made to the combat.