In the next hour Ralph fought the old battle of Armageddon. I shall not describe it. You will fight it in your own way. No two alike. The important thing is the End. If you come out as he did, with the doubt gone and the trust in God victorious, it matters little just what shape the battle may take. Since Jacob became Israel there have never been two such struggles alike, save in that they all end either in victory or in defeat.
It was after twelve o’clock on that Christmas day when Ralph put his head out the door of the schoolhouse and called out: “Bud, I’d like to see you.”
Bud did not care to see the master, for he had inly resolved to “thrash him” and have done with him. But he couldn’t back out, certainly not in sight of the others who were passing along the road with him.
“I don’t want the rest of you,” said Ralph in a decided way, as he saw that Hank and one or two others were resolved to come also.
“Thought maybe you’d want somebody to see far play,” said Hank as he went off sheepishly.
“If I did, you would be the last one I should ask,” said Ralph. “There’s no unfair play in Bud, and there is in you.” And he shut the door.
“Now, looky here, Mr. Ralph Hartsook,” said Bud. “You don’t come no gum games over me with your saft sodder and all that. I’ve made up my mind. You’ve got to promise to leave these ’ere diggins, or I’ve got to thrash you.”
“You’ll have to thrash me, then,” said Ralph, turning a little pale, but remembering the bulldog. “But you’ll tell me what it’s all about, won’t you?”
“You know well enough. Folks says you know more ’bout the robbery at the Dutchman’s than you orter. But I don’t believe them. Fer them as says it is liars and thieves theirselves. ’Ta’n’t fer none of that. And I shan’t tell you what it is fer. So now, if you won’t travel, why, take off your coat and git ready fer a thrashing.”
The master took off his coat and showed his slender arms. Bud laid his off, and showed the physique of a prizefighter.
“You a’n’t a-goin’ to fight me?” said Bud.
“Not unless you make me.”
“Why I could chaw you all up.”
“I know that.”
“Well, you’re the grittiest feller I ever did see, and ef you’d jest kep off of my ground I wouldn’t a touched you. But I a’n’t a-goin’ to be cut out by no feller a livin’ ’thout thrashin’ him in an inch of his life. You see I wanted to git out of this Flat Crick way. We’re a low-lived set here in Flat Crick. And I says to myself, I’ll try to be somethin’ more nor Pete Jones, and dad, and these other triflin’, good-fer-nothin’ ones ’bout here. And when you come I says, There’s one as’ll help me. And what do you do with yor book-larnin’ and town manners but start right out to git away the gal that I’d picked out, when I’d picked her out kase I thought, not bein’ Flat Crick born herself, she might help a feller to do better! Now I won’t let nobody cut me out without givin’ ’em the best thrashin’ it’s in these ’ere arms to give.”
“But I haven’t tried to cut you out.”
“You can’t fool me.”
“Bud, listen to me, and then thrash me if you will. I went with that girl once. When I found you had some claims, I gave her up. Not because I was afraid of you, for I would rather have taken the worst thrashing you can give me than give her up. But I haven’t spoken to her since the night of the first spelling-school.”
“You lie!” said Bud, doubling his fists.
Ralph grew red.
“You was a-waitin’ on her last Sunday right afore my eyes, and a-tryin’ to ketch my attention too. So when you’re ready say so.”
“Bud, there is some misunderstanding.” Hartsook spoke slowly and felt bewildered. “I tell you that I did not speak to Hannah last Sunday, and you know I didn’t.”
“Hanner!” Bud’s eyes grew large. “Hanner!” Here he gasped for breath, and looked around, “Hanner!” He couldn’t get any further than the name at first. “Why, plague take it, who said Hanner?”
“Mirandy said you were courting Hannah,” said Ralph, feeling round in a vague way to get his ideas together.
“Mirandy! Thunder! You believed Mirandy! Well! Now, looky here, Mr. Hartsook, ef you was to say that my sister lied, I’d lick you till yer hide wouldn’t hold shucks. But I say, a-twix you and me and the gatepost, don’t you never believe nothing that Mirandy Means says. Her and marm has set theirselves like fools to git you. Hanner! Well, she’s a mighty nice gal, but you’re welcome to her. I never tuck no shine that air way. But I was out of school last Thursday and Friday a-shucking corn to take to mill a-Saturday. And when I come past the Squire’s and seed you talking to a gal as is a gal, you know”—here Bud hesitated and looked foolish—“I felt hoppin’ mad.”
Bud put on his coat.
Ralph put on his coat.
Then they shook hands and Bud went out. Ralph sat looking into the fire. There was no conscientious difficulty now in the way of his claiming Hannah. The dry forestick lying on the rude stone andirons burst into a blaze. The smoldering hope In the heart of Ralph Hartsook did the same. He could have Hannah if he could win her. But there came slowly back the recollection of his lost standing in Flat
