The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Unknown Wrestler, by H. A. (Hiram Alfred) Cody

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Title: The Unknown Wrestler

Author: H. A. (Hiram Alfred) Cody

Release Date: August 22, 2008 [eBook #26391]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE UNKNOWN WRESTLER***

E-text prepared by Al Haines

THE UNKNOWN WRESTLER

by

H. A. CODY

Author of "Under Sealed Orders," "Rod of the Lone Patrol," Etc.

McCLelland, Goodchild & Stewart
Publishers :: :: :: Toronto

Copyright, 1918,
By George H. Doran Company

           To All
       True Wrestlers
        this book is
  Sympathetically Dedicated

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I STREET MUSIC II WHERE FLOWS THE TIDE III CONSCIENCE MONEY IV SECRET PLANS V PUT TO THE TEST VI DOWN BY THE RIVER VII MENDING THINGS VIII HOME FOR REPAIRS IX EVENING GLOW X PRIDE AND IMPUDENCE XI THE FACE AT THE DOOR XII ASTRAY ON THE HILLS XIII NOTICE TO QUIT XIV SETTLING THINGS XV A WET DAY XVI TWIN FIRES XVII CRUEL AS THE GRAVE XVIII SILENT STRIFE XIX WARMER THAN HE EXPECTED XX CONFIDENCE XXI OUTDONE XXII COMPELLED TO SERVE XXIII DISPELLING THE CLOUDS XXIV EMPTY HEARS SOMETHING XXV PERVERTING JUSTICE XXVI ON THE ROCKS XXVII THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE XXVIII KNUCKLING UNDER XXIX THE CHALLENGE XXX BY THE OLD PINE TREE

THE UNKNOWN WRESTLER

CHAPTER I

STREET MUSIC

There was no room for him on the sidewalk, so he took up his position beyond the curbstone. The light from the large arc-lamp overhead, exposed the old man's thin white hair, withered face and threadbare clothes. His sightless eyes were turned toward the passing throng, and his head was slightly bent in an expectant attitude. But the hand that drew the wheezy bow across the strings of the violin often faltered, and the broken music, instead of attracting, repelled the crowds. The player was tired and longed for rest. But the fire of an overmastering purpose burned in his soul and kept him steadfast to his post.

The girl standing by his side was both weary and embarrassed. Her hand trembled as she held out her father's soft felt hat to receive the coins which were so very few. It was quite evident that she was new to this business, for her cheeks were flushed crimson owing to the remarks she occasionally heard.

"Listen to that old man sawing wood," one gaily-dressed young fop laughingly jested to his companion.

"Filing his saw, I should say," was the sarcastic reply. "It's a wonder to me that such a noise is allowed on a street like this."

"But see the girl," the other insisted, "isn't she a beauty! Look at her cheeks. My! they are some colour. She seems new to her job. Suppose we give her a jolt. I'd like to hear what she'd say. Perhaps she isn't as innocent as she seems."

They had stopped several rods away and were watching the girl as they talked. Presently they retraced their steps, and when they came near where she was standing, one of them surged suddenly against her, causing her to drop the hat in alarm and start back, while the few coins rolled out upon the hard stones. Her cry of dismay caused the old man to stop playing and turn quickly toward her.

"What is the matter, Nan?" he anxiously enquired.

"Oh, let us go away," the girl pleaded. "We are not safe here, and I am so frightened. Two men pushed against me and knocked the hat out of my hand. I know they did it on purpose, for they went away laughing. Oh, what is that?" and she leaned eagerly forward as a commotion took place among the crowd a short distance away.

While the young men were performing their cowardly prank, a man was intently watching all that was taking place. He had been observing the blind violinist and the timid girl for several minutes. In his eyes was an expression of sympathy, which changed at once to intense anger at the act of the two heartless fops. He stepped quickly forward and confronted them.

"What right had you to interfere with that girl?" he demanded.

"It's none of your business," replied the one who had done the deed. "You get out of our way, and do it quick at that, or it won't be well with you."

At once a heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder, and the gripping fingers of that hand caused him to wince and try to tear himself away. A sudden fear smote his heart as he looked up into the blazing eyes of the man before him. He was beginning to respect that towering form with the great broad shoulders and the hand that seemed to weigh a ton and the gripping fingers that were closing like a vise. He suspected that this was a plain-clothes man in the Police service, and the thought filled him with a nameless dread. He glanced around for his companion, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"What do ye want me to do?" he at length gasped.

"Go pick up those coins, and then apologise to the girl for your rudeness," was the reply.

"Good heavens! I can't do that, ye know. What will me chums say?"

"Never mind what they will say. They'll say a great more if I have to drag you there by the coat collar. So get a move on at once."

The victim looked helplessly around upon the crowd which had gathered, as if expecting some assistance. But not a friendly face could he behold. All seemed to be greatly amused at his plight.

"Hurry up."

The voice was calm but the clutching fingers were becoming almost unbearable. There was nothing else for the young man to do, so with a face as pale as death he turned and walked slowly back to where the old violinist and the girl were standing.

"Now, pick up the coins," was the imperious command.

The culprit at once obeyed, and groped around as well as he could but nothing could he find. Several street urchins, who had been ahead of him, now stood near and jeered at his fruitless efforts. At length, straightening himself up, he turned to his captor. The perspiration was streaming down his face, and he looked the picture of misery.

"I can't find anything," he gasped.

"Well, then, apologise to the girl. Tell her you are sorry for what you did and that you will never do such a thing again."

With trembling lips the young man stammered forth a few broken words as he stood facing the surprised and abashed girl. It was hard to understand what he said, but that did not really matter. His punishment had been severe, and his captor felt somewhat satisfied.

"Now, clear out," he ordered, "and be thankful all the rest of your days that you have escaped so