The Tupelo journal., 1912-01-05

Whether It took Bob six days or si1
weeks to fall In love with Prue, and
whether II was six days or six weeks
before a climax came with the men,
has nothing to do with the main Ques,
tons. Bob had his eyes and ears
open and realized that a row was com
Ing. The men were growing owe
hours and wages. They were loafng
and defiant. No mar wanted to lose
his job. but every man thought it was
time to change managers again. Uncle
Simon, loafing about the works, saw
enough and heard enough to make
him say to Bob:
Robert, there is an ungodly man
on this job who is stirring up disloy-
atty and sedition."
II know him. uncle. It's Jim Shea"
Verify, ii is. He aches and longs"
And he's going to get what he
aches and longs for. l could dis
charge him, of course, but he'd keep
on stirring up trouble. What will set
tie his hash is a good licking in a fair
stand-up fight. Jim is a bully and
wants to be a leader. After I've
trounced him the men will be all
right"
Robert, hast thou looked James
Shea over?"
ooh. I've glanced his way a few
times"
He is tall and long-armed, and he
hnxI xvka% 49, x,~rII noI1o N A~h<fn0
jaw. If he is from a college where the
manly art was taught he may best
thee"
I've got to take my chances on
that. l know you are with me, but
how about Prue? She will certainly
be shocked If she hears Of q fight"
mot being worldly, she probably
WILL" replied Uncle Simon after think
ing 1t over, but we may count that
the said shock will not be fatal. 1t is
the fate of her sex to be shocked and
to Shouldst a conflict take
place, and shouldst thee come out Of
it with a black eye. but triumphant. it
may be that Prue's hands would even
make the poultice. l am q man OF
peace, but"
And that evening % Bob Kingsford
was smoking his pipe and inspecting
the works. he was approached by Jim
Shea's daughter, a girl Of twelve who
brought the fathers dinner pail, and
after q furtive look around she said:
Look out for pop tomorrow noon"
trVLyhu -yhaAt he ~r(u~ en- An 3O
Going to beat you up before the
men,"
And why do you come to warn
mel"
Because pop won't let me go to
the moving picture shows. He's =
fighter, pop is. but you knock him out
and I'll send you a bouquet"
Next morning there was something
in the air that told Bob what to look
for. He said nothing to Uncle Simon.
but half an hour before the noon
whistle blew the Quaker came around
to ask:
Robert, art thou feeling In fine fet-
tie, as the world calls it,"
Fine as silk"
And thy muscle and the knowledge
Of the manly art?"
Got 'em both with me-"
Two minutes before the whistle
blew Bob walked out on the, embank-
ment and straight up to Shea and told
him to get ready. and then removed
his own surplus clothing. He wasn't
waiting TO be challenged. Two hun.
dred people saw that fight. The Qua
ker meant to turn his back on 1t, but
forgot. 1t was a f~air-sQuare fight. 1t
lasted twenty minutes. and then Shea
got up from his fourth knockdown
and extended his hand and said the
new manager vas all right. all right.
Yes, Bob Kingsford had a black eye.
and Uncle Simon conducted him homo
and turned him over to Ruth with the
remark:
Daughter, do not be shocked when
/ tell thee that Robert has been In
a."
"Oh, | was down by the wild plum
tree and saw it all. father, and now
under thy directions l will make q
poultice-for Bob"