The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-12-28
ue D.no,,,,ced Him.

whole town OF Tackviile, and Mr.. Grog.
gins invariably allowed it plenty Of OK.
ar.ise. A certain political eremy Of Mr..
Groypins had recently published card
in TIL local paper severely antagonistic
to Mir. Groggins. and Groyxins im,nedi-
ately declared that he had been villified,
81 shall denounce him." said Mr..
Groeeins. quietly.
The population uf Tackvillc paled with
apprehension.
''Shall you publish csrd la reply!"
ventured o bystantler.
mo, SIR" said Mr.. Groqeins, II shall
only publicly dsnounce him."
A NAL .riAl chill then settled on the
town of Tackville. The unfortunate en-.
envy Of Mr.. Groggins was to be de.
nonnced.
One evening the two belliverants met
in grocery store. The election news
was coming in fast from the back coun-
ties, and the congregation WAS noisily
engaged in discussing live issues, OK
planning awav defeats and rejpicing over
victories. Until the entrance Of his en-
envy, Mr.. Groyein was unusually quiet
and sedate. 1t is quite doubtful II the
enemy would have entered had he been
aware that Mr.. Gropgins was present
and loaded, Mr.. Groglins said.
"Mr. Crumbach, You probably
weighed the question Of publishing that
card e. ;n! long , and carefully before deciding
III did, sir" replied Mr.. Crumbac!.,
rather uneasily. 81 think that devo:
Al e,sl
deliberation."
"Yes, trust that sou gave it the nec-
essary thought and attention which SO
but think. Mr.. Crumbach, that your
that was tarred and feathered In Hous.
ton, committed bieamy in Laredo, and
jumped board bill in Galveston was
mainly to do me personal injury, and,
possibly, reflect on my character AZ
citizen and q member Of society,""
Eyes," replied Mr.. Cru,n ach, II
must admit that such was my intention,
and II failed in any way to do the sub
ject full Justice, it was more an error Of
tile head than of the heart. endeav.
ored to state the facts in as PLAN and
concise form as possible, and allow the
public to frame its own opinion"
eyes, have not the least doubt of
that" continued Mr.. Groggins, sternly,
land I intend his evening in the pres.
ence otthese prominent members OF the
first society OF Tackville, to publicly de.
nounce YOU, the vie, insinuating author
OF tn literary prevarication. should,
MIR. Crumbach, be utterly remiss to the
duties owing to nv station as q citizen,
and the home Of my fsmily. should I
neglect this favorable opportunity. Mr..
Crumbach, are you ready"
proceed" said Crumbach, nneasily
shifting his position from nail keg to
tire TIP of q cracker barrel.
".Ail right" said Mr.. Groggins. "To
commence with, consider you q cur, q
hidebound, treacherous whelp which
daily roams these streets in full
pursuit of the otfal of SANDER upLn
which you have ever fed since
childhood's i,liotic hours. Unowned,
unclaimed, aud mssqnerading under an.
ether name than that bestowed On you
by uncertain parentn2e in the days ri
pr0fligate. youth, YOU haunt the purliens
q tire lowest barrel l.o.s, and rejMven.
morning tod,iv. The poison.
ons ex'mlasion from the deadly upas
tree are jravrant as the p RUNE of the
rose compared to the vile breath of
SANDER with which you seek t. blast the
name and fame Of those ~ lar surDerior
to you IN all which goes to form tie
majesty Of man, a. tie highest, know.
capped mountain peaks are above tho
green scum Of the lowest swamps."
The face OF Mr.. Groxgns was fairly
livii as he reached this part IT hi ad-
dress. aud his fingers convnls,v ~ open.
ed, and again the nails sank deep into
the palms Of l,is hands. Mr.. Cru,nl,ach
shifted his position from the cracker
barrel back on to the nal key.
"Yes," said MIR. Organs, "present ap.
peasant,es seems to indicate that yon are
correct. but n IT on'y desire to address
you. tut also that scowliny 6end Of 6
boon COMPANION Of yours, just behind
yonr back"
Mr.. Lrulnbach .turnel his head. Alas
poor Crumbacl,! Hastily realizing hi
indiacretiOn, his eyes once more sought
those Of Mr.. Grogpins, but between hin
and GrovRins' stern. relentless fac,
cleaned nickle. plated machine known
~ "bull dog" and Mr.. Groagins ha,
the drop. A mnrmur Of pleased sur
prise ran over the crowd.
"That was good move," remarked
one enthueiae6
eyes. that was exceedingly vel
played" assented another admirer d
the the, zane. ~ wonder what Crumbsct
The two bellieerents glared at eacl
other. But the overtures Of war were
not eventnated by them. A wildly in
spired c0wboy. oocupyinga position il
the rear, sent bullet crashing through
a glass jar Of pickles sitting on the to,
shell, and then the trouble commenced
Revolver barrels waved in the
all like the glisteninR autumn grain o,
the hillside. A dense blue smoke per
meate'l the narrow conf hes Of the ding,
grocery, while shrieks, groans and bittel
imprecationS rose above the wild, dis
cordant din OF battle. Political excite
mont ran high. A large congregation OF
the outside cheered the battling host
within. And when all was over, wher
the dust and smoke Of battle rolled and
curled along the blackened, dingy cell
ing of the room, eight wounded mer
were carried out into the open air, and
laid on coffee sacks.
Messrs. Groggins and Cnmbsch were
discovered curled up in the cold en-
brace OF death under the counter, dashed
each to each as the tiger lashes himscl
to his prey, ami their hearts blood min
Rled in . crimson, turbid stream alop,
the grimy floor.
MI. GroaRins had denounced his en-
emy.-Texas SiftinRs.