Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-08-26
FIGHT FOR SUPREMACY.
An Authentic Incident of Travel
i'm the Southwest.

Vicksburgh Miss Herald.
A gentleman residing in this city had
occasion few days since to take Jour-
ney down the river and several miles
back from it, using a saddle horse.
Darkness overlook him in sparsely
settled district, and as the roads were
in bad condition and the evening
looked threatening, he halted before a
forlOrn looking hut, and asked if he
could find lodging. r.e
Il reckon you mought,' replied the
long-haired, Sorrowful eyed squatter,
after hesitating a moment.
The Vicksburger found little to eat,
and his horse found still less. The
squatter and his wife were all alone,
and they had but few words for the
stranger, and scarcely spoke to each
other. When the evening grew old
the traveller camped down on the floor
on blanket, and being very tired he
fell asleep, while host and hostess were
smoking their black clay pipes at the
other end of the room. He had slept
about two hours when the squatter
shook him by the shoulder and said:
stranger, Pm powerful sorry TO dis
turb ye, but / want to ak favor
'Yes-yes-what is It?' inquired the
Vicksburger, as he rubbed his eyes and
sat up.
'Ye like to see far play, don't ye,
stranger?'
Yes, of course?'
wall, men and the old woman can't
agree; somehow she's cross and tetchy,
and I guess I'm a trife' ugly. Least
wise, we don't hug up worth old boots,
We've fit and fit; Pm old and she's
chuck full O. grit, and it's about an
even thingv
We'll, I'm sorry put in the Vicks.
burger, as the squatter hesitated.
We've been a-talkin' since We cum,
stranger, and we've made up to ask ye
to hold the candle and let us go in for
an old rouser of a fight,-a regular old
sockdologer, which shall settle our fuss!
If L lick, she'll go; if she licks, I'll trav-
elv
Pm sorry if there's any trouble, and
] hope you wont fight
We've got 10 do it, stranger replied
the woman. L won't live with man
who can lick me, and he's just as high
born. Sans as good as the run o. men,
but he's lazy and sassy, and he wants
to wear his hat on his earl
She's right, stranger said the squat.
ter, and this cabin can't hold both oi
us any longer. It's to be a squar'
fight-no kicking or clubbing, and we
won't go back ON yer decision
The Vicksburger protested, but the
woman placed lighted candle in his
hand, and posted him in the door, and
man and wife stepped out ON the
ground.
'Suke, Pm going to wallop you right
smart in just four boots and q holler =
said the squatter, as he pushed up his
sleeves. --.r.
Sam, ye don't weigh huff into three
tons!' she replied in a grim voice, and
the battle commenced.
The Vicksburger mentally bet twen-
ty to one on the man at the start, but
in two minutes more he was betting
even. The wife was like wildcat,
springing, dodging, striking, and claw
ing, and pretty soon her husband had
to stand on the defensive.
Look out for the Bengal tigar, Suke!'
he warned as he clawed the air. Ha
Il can whip the boots off7n ye, Sam =
she replied, and the battle grew fiercer.
One of the woman's sharp nails struck
the husbands eye and blinded him for
an instant. AS he threw up his arms
she seized both her hands into his hair,
yanked him down, and in another mo.
ment had the 'gouge' on him..