Arizona silver belt., 1890-03-08
CLEARLY OUTCLASStD.
Making Award in the Dark Neiz'"ns to
 the Greatest Enemy of Horses.

Making Award in the Dark Regions to
 the Greatest Enemy of Horses.
 Weird, unearthly shapes, as if mov- ed by some re..lstless impulse to cor. gregate at a common center, hurried through the sulphurous air that over hung the bottomless pits and fiery lakes of the Region of Darkness. Wan, cadaverous, uneasy specters, new to the dread m ysteries of Inferno, side by side with the tough and hardened Oldest Inhabitants, whizzed horribly along, and the grimy walls of Pande- mo4lum echoed presently to the dis cordant nurmuring and snarling of one Of the largest throngs that had ever gathered there.
 'l have called you together, my countrymen, said the presiding otii- cer of the internal regions, ''for the purpose of deciding disputed point. A contest has arisen" he continued in voice that pierced the remotest cav ern within the vast inclosure, ''as to which one of my faithful subjects can claim the honor of having inflicted the most torture on horses during his earthly existence. The contestants will now have an opportunity to be heard.
 T was a country blacksmith for hfty-three years, called out one of the claimants as he mounted the platform and looked complacently about. and a gssS!bshaking of heads, 1, ac,- companied by whispered observations to the effect that his record would be hard to beat.
 An uncanny specter, with counte- nance that would have broken the strongest camera on the surface of the earth, came to the platform next.
 T was a harness maker" he said. ''I invented the stiff bit"
 II made the first pair of spurs" ex- claimed the next candidate as he el- bowed the eX-harness maker off the stage.
 ''Gammonp said another claimant, "I set the fashion of cutting horses tails off,"
 And 1 made the first machine for clipping them, announced another.
 The presiding officer checked the ap- plause that followed, the assembly having seemed to be on the point of bestowing the award on the last speak CT without further hearing.
 A hard looking resident mounted the rostrum.
 My friends" he said, T made the first check rein
 In vain the chairman attempted to ~,1n,,nN br al, # %I,,o IL was only after some of the noisiest of the spirits near the door were thrown out and the warning given that the galleries would be cleared if the offense were repeated that order was restored.
 Suddenly a commanding voice rang out:
 q invented the barb wire fence"
 A deathlike stiffness pervaded the cayernous place. With the convic- ton that no contestant would have the hardihood to dispute the claim of the last speaker the chairman half rose as if to announce that the cOntrO- verSy was at an end.
 Atthis moment a comparatively mild looking and unpretending shape took its place on the platform and looked timidly about
 Speak out if you have anything to say!" said. the presiding officer, almost contemp1Susly.
 TT was the first man that ever paved the street of city with gran ite."
 Amid the widest and most tumult- uous applause that had ever shaken the walls of Sheoi's capitol the Prince of Darkness placed 8 crown of laurel on the head of the unpretending gob lin, shook his hand warmly, and pro claimed that the contest was over.- Chicago Tribune.