The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-29
PRESENTING AN INSULT.
Atlanta Constitution.

Lawyer Mayberry lived in 6 little town in middle Georgia. He was big, stout fellow, and as he had very little business in the courts, he spent most of his time quarreling and fight ing with his neighbors, and any stran- ger that came along. Mayberry was regular country bully. it was hard to find his match in fist-and- skull fight, and he was an ugly customer with knife or pistol. He would light anything, and he never forgot or forgave on insult. One day syherrv found it ncccs- sary to ascertain inc whereabouts ce . missing client. He suspected that the man was ill a certain village among the mountains in the northern part of the state, and to satisfy himself he sat down and wrote to the postmaster of the place.
 In due time he received rude re- ply. Among other things the post master said
 "I shall not take the trouble to answer your doub thinking that I would take adyan. taEe Of my position to use an official envelope for your accommodation. I have never de, | frauded the government out of stEmp, and l don't propose to do it now"
 When Mayberry got this letter he ripped and swc-e until the atmosphere was sulphurous. Then he sat down and did some of the tallest thinking of his life. There were few railroads in those days, and 1t was long dis tance to the little mountain village. May berry read the letter again, fixed the postmaster's name In his mind, gritted his teeth, and then struck bee line tor the saloon, where he filled himself full.
 Twenty eight years rolled away. Mayberry was man of sixty, but in spite of his years he remained as tough h and plucky ss ever> His fights were not 80 numerous, but when he took a hand in a racket the town boys lost no time in getting beyond the reach of his iron fist
 There was a state convention to be held in Atlanta, and Mayberry was one of the delegates. He arrived in the city late at night, and was shown to a room in the old Atlanta hotel. There were two beds in the room, and one of them was occupied. As the moonlight streamed through the win dow, the country lawyer undressed without striking light, and jumped into bed
 He found himself wakeful and start ed a conversation with his unknown room- mate.
 "Delegate?" he inquired.
 "Yes, sir," was the reply.
 "So am l, said Mayberry.
 Then there was pause for mo- ment.
 "Where do you hail from2" asked the lawyer.
 "Blue Rock"
 "And what might be your name?" My name is Shorter" answered the stranger.
 "D;dnt you used to he postmaster , at Blue Rock?"
 "Ycs-but that was twenty eight years ago. L." But he never finished the sentence. With an angry snort that sounded like the yell of some wild animal, old May berry leaped from his bed and threw himself upon the ex- postmaster. "Now, durn you, Pve got youw he shouted. "My name is Mayberry. Maybe you don't recollect answering letter of mine once, and charging me with trying to beat you out of a stamp?"
 "That was twenty eight years ago" {" | frocnod tho othor HonA ho yn alsnr. forgotten the circumstances" "I don't care d-n when 1t was," said Mayberry. "I swore that I'd whip you for it, and will.
 And he proceeded to pound his vic- tim with both fists. Old Mayberry dragged the Blue Rock man out of bed and rolled over the floor with him, pounding him all the time. Then he got his knife, and, breast, he said:
 "I'll just cut your blasted throat and settle this business"
 The ex-postmaster commenced beg ging.
 Ut was twenty eight years ago." he said. "Do you want to kill man for 6 little thing like that7 Pm an old man now, and I have family. Pm sorry wrote the letter. 1 wouldn't do 1t now.s
 Old May berry turned him loose and struck light. ', "Will you write an apology?" he asked.
 "Of course I will," was the answer of the half dead delegate. The lawyer pulled note- book from his coat pocket and handed 1t to the postmaster. He then dictated the apology and the other wrote it down. I "Now," said May berry, "wind up