Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-07-31
VAN WINKLE. WITH A
VARIATION.
A Lively Incident of Travel
i'm the How SAM
Cayed and Abandoned his

and several miles back from il.
using saddle horse. Darkness
overlook him in a sparsely settled
district, and as the roads were in a
bad condition, and the evening
looked threatening, he halted be-
fore q for orn-looking hut and ask
ed if he could find lodging.
Il reckon you mought,' replied
the long-haired, sorrowful-eyed
squatter, after hesitating for a mo-
ment.
The Vicksburger found little 10
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
dowa on the floor on q blanket, and
being very tired he fell asleep,
while host and hostess were sMok-
ing their black clay pipes at the
other end of the room. He had
slept about two hours, when the
squatter shook him by the should
er, and said:
Stranger, Pm powerful sorry to
disturb We, but / want to ask of We
a favor
sYes-yes what is it p inquired
the Vicksburger, as he rubbed his
eyes and sat up.
'Ye like to see far. play, don't
We, stranger
Yes. of course
wall, men the old woman can't
gree; somehow sh's cross and aw-
full tetchy, and | guess Pm trif1e
ugly. Leastwise, we don't hug
up like old boots. We've fit and
fit; I'm old, and she's chuck full o.
grit, and it's about an even thing
We'll, I'm sorry put in the
Vicksburger, as the squatter hest
tated.
We've been a-talkin' since you
cum, stranger, and we've made up
to ak we to hold the candle and to
let us 60 in for an old rouser of a
fight-a regular sockdologer, which
shall settle our fuss. If / lick her,
she'll go; if she ticks me, I'll ira
vel'
'I'm sorry if there's any trouble
and hope you won't fight
We've got to do it, stranger
replied the woman Il won't live
with man who kin lick me, and
he's just as high-borp. SANS as
good as the run o. men, but he's
lazy and sassy, and he wants to
wear his hat on his earn
She's right, stranger said the
squatter, 'and this cabin can't hold
both of us any longer. It's to be
squar' fight--no kicking or club
bling, and we won't go back on yer
decision.'
The Vicksburger protested, but
the woman placed lighted can
die in his hand and posted him in
the door, and the man and wife
stepped out on the ground.
Suke, Pm going to wallop We
right smart in just four boots and
a hollerw said the squatter, as he
pushed up his sleeves.
Sam, We don't weigh huff into
three tons = she replied in grim
voice, and the battle commenced.
The Vjcksburger mentally bet
twenty to one on the man at the
start, but in two minutes he had
reduced the odds to ten. and in
two minutes more he was betting
even. The wife was like a wild cat
springings lodging, striking, and
elawing, and pretty soon her hus-
band had to stand on the defen-
sive.
Look out for the Bengal tiger
Suke' he warned, as he clawed the
air.
Il can whip the boots off'n We,
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.
Sam, do We cave?' she asked, as
they lay quiet.
That's the dead wood, Suke,
and I'm licked mani he mourn
fully answered
she let him up, and he turned to
the Vicksburger and inquired:
Stranger, was it far fought?
Il guess it was!'
Then / travel!'
He entered the hut, put on his
coat and hat, took up his rifle, and
as he came out he reached his
hand to his wife, and said:
'Good-by, Suke? We agreed far
and squar', and here | gO.' Then
turning to the traveller, he added:
Much obleeged stranger; We
held the candle plumb far, and We
din't holler for either one of us!'
And he walked down to the
fence, leaped over, and was soon
incf m cierhf