Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-11-06
THE FIGHTING PLACE.
PART II.

young black oak and scooted il down to
the fightin' place, he got into trouble.
The two grandpaps, the old chiefs, ap-
peared on the scene, and it was plain
that they had their hyderphoby up. Both
of 'em spoke at the same time, and both
of 'en said the very same thing.
"You cain't put it up thar !" they says.
While Falway had been hopin' that
he had got friendly enough with the
Flintstoners to be allowed to put up the
meetin' house whar he pleased, he had
been afeard O. jest what had happened.
He throwed his Ak down and looked
hurt.
Eyes" says Old Grandpap Sam Raines,
you'll have TO put il up some'eres else
but thar, shore. You'll have to build it
on one hillside or t'other, and stilt 'er up
on the lower side, the same as the cabins
is stilted up. To git at the pint, you've
got to go to one set Of us or t'other, and
you might as well choose now and git
some help"
He had expressed Old Grandpap Bar
lows sentiments; tharfore Old Grandpap
Barlow didn't say nothin'.
Falway he slipped into his coat to keep
from takin' a cold while he wasn't a
Workin'; then he set down on one end O.
the little black oak, and commenced a
Starn' hard at the ground and aahinkin'.
Thar wasn't but one place for the meetin'-
house, and that was on the ground that
had been used as place TO fight on. He
wanted to put the fightin' place out o
the way as bad as he wanted to build a
meetin' house for as long as the flghtin'
place was in existence il didn't look like
his preachin' would do much good.
Then he happened 10 think O. the way
them thar folks O. Flintstone Holler had
O. DARN one another down TO fight, and
that led him to think O. somethin' else.
Say" he says, a gettin' to his feet
eager like, 81 hain't as big as some O.
yore men here but I'll make you this
here proposition I'll wrastle with any
two men from either side,-one at time,
a course,-with the understandin' that il
throw 'em all four Pm TO build the meet
in house wfar | please, and if | fail !
don't. Now what do you say 10 that,
Brothers?"
The two old men laughed at him.
Each of 'em had grandson who could
throw a oxen down and tie him up Sin
gle handed. II shore sounded funny TO
hear this slim, pale, sad-eyed preacher
feller talkin' about wrastlin' with Big
Abe Raines and Rushin' Eek Barlow,
who had throwed everybody else in the
county except each other-they was too
burned contrary TO wrastle with each
other: it had to be fight or nothin' dt
all, with them.
81 thought you folks out here was
game" says FalwaY, with his head held
sort O. high in the air.
"By gyar, we are game |" says the two
old chiefs. "WaitW
They disappeared amongst the trees
and laurels, and Falway he set down to
rest for he was tired, what with chop
pin of the black oak and scootin' it
down. But he didn't have TO wait long.
In half a hour the whole four carnations
of the Raineses and Barlows was
crowdin' around the fightn' place. and
with 'em Falway seen two O. the strap
pin'est, biggest men he'd ever laid eyes
on; which same, course, was Big Abe
and Rushin' Eek. II all sounds childish,
| reckon, to talk about wrastlin tor the
purpose OF seein' whar meetin' '-house
is goin' TO set at; but the chiefs O. the
two clans was childish, and everybody
else follered whar they led the way.
Falway he stood up, laid off his coat,
rolled up his sleeves, and took his belt in
two notcheS.
"Pm ready" he says, and steps to the
center of the fightin' place.
Big Abe Raines he walks from the
Raines side o. the level spot as confident
that he was goin' to win as he was Of
eatin' his next meal. He almost looked
like he didn't want to bother with Fall
way. The two made a dive for each
other. Big Abe he got one arm around
FaIway'S waist, with his hand grippin'
Railways belt ahind; then he put one
loot atween Railways feet and tried to
trip him. Falway he gave so student
and so easy that it took Big Abe often his
gyard. Falway slapped one arm around
Abe's neck, twisted his hip into Abe's
stummick. and tumbled Abe over his head
and to the ground plumb flat on his back.
Then he got acrost Abe, and held him
there minute.
Big Abe he got up lookin like he
didn't believe it. But his pap, bein
straight man for all o. his faults, motioned
him out O. the way, and then turned 10
the stranger.
"You're.a mighty uncommon sort OF
preacher" he says.
81 hain't been preacher all O. my life" "
replies Falway. "I've wrastled afore
more'n one big audience"
Rushin' Eek Barlow decided that his
ime had come 10 prove that he was a
blame sight stronger man than Big Abe
Raines, his inemy. He was dead shore
that he could soil Railways back in the
winkin' Of his eye. He busted in, grab
bed FaIway around the waist with both
arms, with his head pushin' ag'iust
Falway's chest, and tried to bend him
back'ar by main strength. Falway ne
give so quick that Eek couldn't catch him
afore he'd turned; then he played the
same trick he'd played on big Abe, and
l I'll ,afr fn~ No