Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-28

sPANa WENT HIS FIST INTO wEssNBRs
act the sneak aud liar to him and ruin
and etarnally blacken the soul OF me
You rascal" raved Freckles. "be fight.
ing before forget the laws OF GIN
tlemins game and split your dirty
head with ne stick
Wessner backed away, mumbhng.
But | don't want to hurt you. Free
kles."
"Oh. don't you ragged the boy.
We'll. you ain't resembling me none.
for I'm itchin' like death to git me
fingers in the face Of you"
He danced up and. as Wessner
Iunged out in self defense. ducked un-
der his arm like a bantam and
punched him In the pit Of the stomach.
so that he doubled up with groan.
Before Wessner could straighten him
self Freckles was on him. fighting like
the widest fury. The Dutchman dealt
laundering blows that sometimes
landed aud sent Freckles reeling and
sometimes missed. while he went
plunging into the swale with the i'm
petus of them Freckles could not
strike with half Wessner's force, but
he could land three blows to Wessner's
one. 1, was here that Freckles' days
of alert watching on the line, the per
ietual swinging Of the heavy cudgel
lnd the endurance Of all weather stood
him I'm good stead. for he was as tough
.S Il pine knot and as agile as panther.
lie danced. ducked and lodged. For
hp first five minutes he endured fear
-! punishment. Then Wessners
breath commenced to whistle between
his teeth. when Freckles had only just
scgun fighting He sprang back with
Shrill laughter.
"Regolly. and will your honor be
whistllng the hornpipe for me to be
dancing off," he cried.
Spang went his fist into Wessners
face. and he was past him into the
swale.
And would you be pleased to tune
up a little livelierT he gasped and
clipped his ear as he sprang back
Wessner lunged at him In blind fury
Freckles. seeing an opening. forgot the
laws of a gentleman's game and drove
the toe of his heavy wading boot into
Wessner's middle until he doubled uI
md fell heavily. In fash Freckles
was on him. For q time Mclean could
not see what was happening. Go
10 to him nowr' he commanded him
self. but so intense was his desire &c
see the boy win alone that he couic
not stir
At last Freckles sprang up and back
ed away. "Timer' he yelled like q
fury. BE getting up. Mr.. Wessner
and don't be afraid Of hurting me. Pu
let you throw In an extra hand and
lick you to me complate satisfaction
all the same. Did you hear me cal
the limit? wrl you get up and be
facing meT
As Wessner struggled to his feet ~
resembled battlefield. for his cloth
Ing was In ribbons and bis face anC
hands streaming blood.
I'll guess l got enough" be mum
bled.
"Oh, do your roared Freckies
~Well. this amt your say. You come
on to me ground lying about me oos'
and intimatin' I'd stale from his yer!
pockets. Now. will you be standing
up and taking your medicine IKE q
man or getting 1t poured down the
throat Of you like baby? l amt got
enough. This Is only just the begin.
ming with me. Be looking out there?
He sprane against Wessner and sent
him rolling. He attacked the unre'
sisting figure and fought him until ne
Iay limp and still and Freckles nae
no strength left to lift an arm. Inen
he rose and stepped back. gasping ioi
breath. With his arst good iungiu
of air he shouted, TimeP But tns
agure Of WessnsE laZ motonaas9