Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-12-23

Abe.
"This time it's a heart warmth"
Jack Kelso averred. 1--WE left our
wives at home so that we could pay
our compliments to Mrs. Traylor
without reserve, knowing you to be a
man above jealousy"
"It's what we call a he party, on
the prairies," said Ferguson. "For
one thing 1 wanted to see Abe and
the minister have a rassle."
The Reverend Stephen Nuckles
stood in front of the door with Sarah
and Harry and the children. He was
a famous wrestler.
"I CANT rassle like l used to could,
but / be willin' to give We a try, Abe"
said the minister.
"You'd better save your strength
for oil Satan" said Abe.
"Go on, Abe" the others urged.
"Give him a. try"
Abe modestly stepped forward. In
the last year he had grown less in
clined to that kind of fun. The men
took hold of each other, collar and
elbow. They parted with their feet
for an instant. Suddenly Abe's long
right leg caught itself behind the left
knee Of the minister. 1t was the hip
lock as they called it those days. Once
secured the stronger man was almost
sure to prevail and quickly. The
sturdy circuit rider stood against 1t
for a second until Abe sprang his bow.
Then the heels of the former flew up
ward and his body came down to the
grass, back first.
'"That ar done popped my wind
bag" said the minister as he got up.
"Call in" said John Mcneil and the
others echoed it.
ST call in Samson Traylor." said the
minister.
At last the thing which had long
been a subject of talk and argument
in the stores. and houses of New Sa-
lem was about to come to pass-a
trial of strength and agility between
the two great lions of Sangamon u
ty. Either Of them would have given
a months work to avoid it.
snow we shall see which Is the son
of Peleus and which the son of Tele-
mon," Kelso shouted.
Glow shall we rassle?' Samson
asked.
81 don't care" said Abe.
Rough and tumble" Ferguson pro-
posed.
Both men agreed. They bent low
intently watching each other, their
great hands %outreaching. They stood
praced for a second and suddenly both
sprang forward. Their shoulders
kame together with a thud. 1t was
like two big bison bulls hurting their
weight in the first shock of battle.
For a breath each bore with all his
strength and then closed with his ad-
versary. Each had an under hold
with one arm, the other hooked
around a shoulder. Samson lifted Abe
from his feet but the latter with ire
mendous efforts loosened the hold of
the Vermonter, and regained the turf.
They struggled across the dooryard,
the ground trembling beneath their
feet. They went against the side of
the house, shaking it with the force
of their impact. Samson had broken
the grip of one of Abe's hands and
now had his feet in the air again but
the young giant chung to hip aud
shoulder and wriggled back to his
foothold. Those lesser men were
thrilled and a little frightened by the
mighty struggle. Knowing the strength
Of the wrestlers they felt a fear of
broken bones. Each had torn a rent
In the coat of the other. If they kept
on there was danger that both would
be stripped. The children had begun
to cry. Sarah begged the struggling
men to stop and they obeyed her.
"H any of you fellers think that's
fun you can have my place." said Abe.
Samson, 1 declare you elected the
strongest man in this county. You've
got the muscle Of a grizzly bear. I'm
glad to be quit O. ye."
1T amt a fair election, Abe" Sam
son laughed. IF you were rassling
for the right you could flop me. This
little brush was nothing. Your heart
wasn't in it, and by thunder, Abe,
when it comes to havin' fun l rather
guess we'd both do better to let each
other alone"
"Tain't exactly good amusement,
not for u.s." Abe agreed.
1t was growing dark. Ann Rutledge
arrived OF her pony, and called Abe
aside and told him that the raiders
were in the village and were breaking
the windows of Radford's store be-
cause he had refused to sell them liquor,
Don't say anything about it," Abe
cautioned her. Just go into the house
with Sarah Traylor and sit down and
have a good visit. Well look after
the raiders"
Then Abe told Samson what was
up. The men concealed themselves in
some bushes by the roadside while the
minister sat close against an end of
the house with his bloodhound beside