Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-09
A LIVELY .Nc.IEa. CT TRAVEL IN The
SOUTH.


morse. Darkness overlook him in a
sparsely settled district, and the roads !
were in bad condition, an' the even
ing looked threatening, he matted be-
fore a forlorn hut and asked if he
couldn't find lodging.
Il reckon ye mought," replied the
long haired, sorrowful-eyed squatter,
after hesitatiny moment.
The Vicksburger found little to eat,
and his horse still less. The squatter
aud his wife were al. alone, and they
had but few words for the stranger,
and scarcely spoke to each other
When the evening had grown old the
traveller camped down Oh the floor on
a blanket, and being very tired he tell
asleep, while host and hostess were
smoking their black clay pipes in the
other end of the room. He had slept
about two hours, when the squatter
shook him by the. shoulder and
said |: FL
stranger, I'm powerful sorry to
disturb ye, but | want to ak a
favor" s.. i
"Yas-yas what is itaY inquired
the Vicksburger, as he rubbed his eyes
and atup.
eye like to see fair play, don't ye
stranger?"
eyes, of course"
"Wall, men the old woman can't
agree; somehow she's cross and tetehy,
and guess I'm a trife ugly Least
wise, we don't hing up worth old boots.
We've fit and fit. I'm old, and she's
chuck full O. grit, and it's about an even
thing .lA
"Well, I'm sorry" put in the Vicks
burger, as the squatter hesitated.
We've been talking since ye 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 Gght-a regular sock
dologer- which will settle our fuss. II
lick, she'll go, and if she ticks, I'll
| travel"
I'm sorry if there's any trouble and
hope you won't fight.
"Weve got to do it, stranger" re-
piled the woman, Il won't live with a
man who kin lick me, and he's just as
high borne, 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
squatter, "and this cabin can't hold
both of us any longer, Its to be a
square fght--no kicking or clubing,
and We wont go back on yer decision
The Vicksburger protested, but the
woman placed lighted candle in his
hand and posted him in the door, and
the man and wife stepped out on the
ground.
"Suke, I'm. going to wallop ye right
smart in just four boots and a hoiIer'
said the squatter, as he pushed up bis
sleeves.
"sam, you don't weigh huff unto
three tons!" she replied III grim voice
and the battle commenced.
The Vicksburger mentally bet TWEEN
ty to one on the man at the start, bat
in two minutes he had reduced the
odds to ten, and IN two minutes more
he was betting even. The wife was
like wild cat, springing, dodgingi
striking and clawing, and pretty soon
her husband had to stand on the defeu
siye
LOOK out tor the Bengal tiger,
Suke!" he warned, as he clawed the
air.
Il can whip the boots off n We Sam J!
she replied; and the battle grew Gercer
One of the woman's sharp nails
struck the husband in the 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 moment had the "gouge
ON him.
''sam, do ye cave2" she asked as
they lay quiet.
That's the dead. wood, Suke, and
I'm a licked man he moulnfully an
swered
She let him up, and he turned to the
Vicksburger and inquired
Stranger, was it a far fought 2 w.
81 guess it was y
"Then I trayel!' .....
He entered the hut, put on his coat
and hat, took up his rife, and as he
came out he reached his hand to. his
wife, and said
Good by, Suke! We agreed far
and squai, and here go" Then turn
ing to the traveller added:
| Much obliged, stranger, ye held the
candle plump far, and he didn't boiler
for either one of usi"
And he walked down to the fence,