The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-28
He Denonnced Him.

|
He Denounced Him.
Erastus Groggins was possessed
Of the most vituperative tongue in tho
whole town of Tackville, and Mr.. Grog-
gins invariably allowed it plenty of ex-
ercise. A certain political enemy of Mr..
Groggins had recently published q card
in the local paper severely an~tagonistic
to Mr.. Groggins, and Groggins immedi-
ately declared that he had been villi6ed
III shall denounce him." said Mr..
Groggins, quietly.
The population of Tackville paled with
apprehension.
"Shall you publish a card in reply!"
ventured q b%ystander.
"No, sir" said Mr.. Groggins, "I shall
only publicly denounce him."
A maiarial chill then settled on the
town of Tackyille. The unfortunate en-.
envy Of Mr.. Groggins was to be de-
nounced.
One evening the two ~belligerants met
in a grocery store. The election news
was coming in fast from the back coun-
ties, and the congregation was noisily
engaged in discussing live issues, ex-
planning away defeats and rejoicing over
victories. Until the entrance of lis en-
envy, MI. Grogginl was unusually quiet
and sedate. 1t is quite doubtful ii the
enemy would have entered had he been
aware that Mr.. Groggins was present
and loaded. Mr.. Grcggins said.
Mr.. Crumbach, you probably
weighed the question of publishing that
card long and carefully before deciding
to insert it?"
81 did, sir" replied Mr.. Crumbach,
rather uneasily. 81 think that I devo.
ted to it due consideration and careful
deliberation."
"Yes, I trust that you ave it the nee
essary thought and attention which 30
grave a subject demanded. l cannot
but think, Mr.. Crumbach, that your
motive is giving utterance to the stories
that | was tarred and feathered In Hous-
ton, committed bigamy in Laredo, and
jumped a board bill in Galveston was
possibly, reflect on my character as a
citizen and a member OF society,"
YES" replied Mr.. CruinDach, "I
must admit that such was my intention,
and 1t failed in any way to do the sub
ject full Justice, it was more an error of
the head than of the heart. l endeav-
ored to state the facts in as plain 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 | intend his evening in the pres
ence ofthese prominent members ofthe
first society of Tackville, to publicly de-
nounce You. the vile, %insinuating author
of this literary prevarication. l should,
Mr.. Crumbach, be utterly remiss to the
duties owing to nv station as a citizen,
aud the home Of my femily, should I
neglect this favorable Opportunity. Mr..
Crumbach, are you ready?"
Proceed" said Crumbach, uneasily
shifting his = osition from q nail keg to
the top of cracker barrel.
"AlI right" saip Mr.. Groggins. "To
commence with,'I consider you a cur, a
hidebound, treacherous whelp whicn
daily roams these streets in foul
pursuit of the ofal of SANDER up.n
which you have ever fed since
childhood's idiotic hours. Unowned,
unclaimed, and masquerading under an
other name than that, bestowed on you
by uncertain p%arentage in the days of
prodigate youth, you haunt the purliens
Of the lowest barrel house and %rejnyen.
ate the bar room cuspldors Tor Il
| ouo VA uhlnllOl lIOhl JIG ucdulf uptS
tree are fragrant as the perfume of the
rose compared to the vile breath of
SANDER with which youseek to blast the
name and fame of those as far superior
to you in all which goes to form the
majesty OF man, as the highest, snow
| capped mountain peaks are above the
green scum of the lowest swamps."
The face of Mr.. Groggins was fairly
livid as he reached this part of his ad-
dress, and his fingers convulsively OPEN
ed, and again the nails sank deep into
the palms of his hands. Mr.. Crumbach
shifted his position from the cracker
barrel back on to the nail key.
"Yes," said Mr.. Grogglns, present ap.
pearances seems to indicate that you are
correct. but [ not only desire to address
you, but also that scowling fiend of q
boon companion of yours, just behind
your back"
Mr.. Crumbach turned his head. Alas
poor Crumbach! Hastily realizing his
indiscretion, his eyes once more sought
those of Mr.. Grogsins, but between hin
and Groggins' stern, relentless face
cleaned a nickle. plated machine known
as a "bull dog" and Mr.. Groggins hat
the drop. A murmur of pleased sur
prise ran over the crowd.
That was a good move," remarked
n enthusiast.
Eyes, that was exceedingly wei
played" assented another admirer Of
the game. 81 wonder what Crumbact
will do next?"
The two belligerents glared at each
other. But the overtures of war were
not eyentuated by them. A wildly in.
spired cowboy. occupying a position in
the rear, sent a bullet crashing through
aglass jar of pickles sitting on the tor
shelf, and then the trouble commenced
Revolver barrels waved in the
all like the glistenine autumn grain on
the hillside. Adense blue smoke per.
meated the narrow confines of the dingy
grocery, while shrieks, groans and bitter
lmprecations rose above the wild, dis.
cordant din Of battle. Political excite.
ment ran high. A large congregation OF
the outside cheered the battling hosts
within. And when all was over, when
the dust and smoke of battle rolled and
curled along the ~blackened, dingy cell.
ing of the room, eight wounded mer
we're carried out into the open air, and
laid on coffee sacks.
Messrs. Groggins and Crumbach were
discovered curled up in the cold EN-
brace of death underline counter, dashed
each to each as the tiger lashes himself
to his prey. and their hearts, blood min
gled in a crimson, turbid stream alou.
the grimy floor.
Mr.. G%rocgius had denounced his en-,
emy.-Texas Siftings.
An Emergency.