Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-12-01
CHAPTER IL

brace sat musing over the strange
creature who Lad just left him, but
soon his mind flowed down another
channel, far different from whim or
an amusement-his mission in the
South, secret, grim and desperate. But
life on a river steamboat In that day
left little time for brOOding for, few
moments after ShOttle left to risk his
liberty and Braces hundred, roust-
about thrust his head In at the door
and announced that down on the deck
there was to be throwing and tying
match. The big fireman Of the Leona
was about to encounter VickSburg Joe
for tho chamnionShip of the River.
In an instant brace was on his feet.
all his instincts keen and ready to
jump. He was something of a boxer
and wrestler, but he had not been
taught In this peculiar art Of tying an
adversary once one has thrown him.
And there was that In his mind which
made the acquisition of this knowledge
seem to him desirable indeed.
AS he Joined a group of men max
Ing their way below, he overheard the
Colonel, Miss Lucy's admirer, explain
ing the gentle pastime. Tying a man
once you have thrown him." the Colo
mel was saying, "is the climax Of
proves. / saw Cal Blodgett throw
and tie Nick PAWN at barbecue at
Mount Zion campground, and I have
cause to remember it, for the young
lady / went with deserted me for the
hero, sir-actually stuck flowers into
his hair. Here we are"
Two enormous fellows were strug-
Cling, while nearby lay a convenient
rope. Finally Vicksburg Joe tied the
fireman, and he lay helpless, unable
to get up.
II will give you five dollars IL you
can throw me and tie me that way"
called BRACE to the victor when the
excitement had little subsidized.
Joe looked at Drace moment. The
young man looked powerful enough to
be dangerous, but-fve dollars was
five dollars. He smiled, bowed.
spread out the wrinkled rug and took
BRACE by the hand to lead him forth.
To the establishment Of all, brace
threw Master Joe; but he could not
tie the champion.
"Show me how it's DONE" said Vir-
gil, land I'll give you the money"
For long time, and until the Colo
mel and Shottle were worn out with
waiting, the two struggled: and so apt
was the student that he succeeded fin
ally in turning the master over and
tying him. But 1t seemed that the
burly champion was too willing, and
Drace insisted on another fall. And
now, though the struggle was genuine
on Joe's part, BRACE tied him. Still
more another five promised, and vir-
gil was willing to quit. q
"Finest sport l ever hadr" he said
as he turned away to the upper deck
again to avoid the questions and fe-
licitations showered upon him.
BRACE was musing-not. 1t must be
confessed, upon the serious purposes
which had brought him TO the South,
but upon that girl of the red roses
when ShOttle appeared again. Liberty
stood In his presence, not with droop
but straight in the manly resolution
10 discharge the duties an adverse fate
had thrust upon him. In the belief
that 1t would make him look more like
a slave, he now wore his coat turned
wrong side out.
master I salute you" he remarked.
Gall right" said BRACE. "But turn
your coat. I want my slave, the grind
er of my mill, to appear respectfully
clad. You may sit down."
81 thank you. sir"
"You didn't last long,"
"No, master. The tangled-haired
bag kicked me sidewise, like a COW.
In only two potsl But what can you
expect of a man that has an ace-fuli
beaten? How long can man preserve
his freedom at that rate? And fel.
low with spindle chin and nose
no bigger than the average wart beat
me with four jacks. Crushed me / And
he would have crushed Julius Caesar
Just the same. Well, after all, free
dom has many responsibilities. AS q
slave I'll cultivate what virtues can
get hold Of. and look toward old age
and cabin on the hillside. And now,
as It is natural for every man to hide