The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-28
THE END OF THE FEUD.

AS far back as the oldest inhabitant
could remember there had been a feud
between the Jasons and the Spratts 1t
had never been deadly one, but it had
been very bitter for all that, and had
caused a great deal ofill feeling, not be-
tween the two families alone, but among
many others who through alliance with
either had been dragged into the quar-
rel
There were people, too, in and about
Tomsburg who took special delight, it
seemed, in keeping the two families
constantly in hot water by carrying
tales between the two houses Often
these tales were fimsy fabriCations,
woven from the ima3inatiOns OF the tell
ers, which would have been readily de-
tected as fiction by people less preju-
diced against one another than the ia
sons and Spratts: but as 1t was the busy
bodies and mischief makers had an open
and free field wherein to exercise their
more or less ingenious art Of story tell
ing.
At the time of the ending of the feud
Sim Jason was the representative of one
side and Jay Spratt Of the other. They
were both young men, unmarried, and
intelligent in everything except the one
subject of the family feud, an exception
not to be wondered at, since they had
imbibed prejudice against each other
with their mothers milk
But time, the resistless, that under
mines empires and causes them to tum-
BILE in a night, brings changes every
where. Sooner or later everything sue
cunlbs and is no more. The Tomsburg
feud ended in a night, and that, too,
when it seemed to have grown more
bitter and more deadly than it had ever
been before.
Tomsburg is situated on the shore Of
one of the many bayson the Texas coast,
where nine out of every ten Of the in
habitants own sailing craft of some
kind, the greater number being what are
commonly called catboats, on which
they make weekly trips to the adjacent
cities, carrying the products Of their
gardens and fields.
Sim Jason owned one Of these boats, a
trim little craft, and one Of the swiftest
that plowed the waters of the bay. The
little vessel had been named the Annie
after his sister. Like every other boat
man, Sim was touchy on the subject Of
being beaten by any other craft, but his
particular sore spot was a banter from
the Spratt adherents that Jays boat, the
Lily, could outsail him under any and
all conditions.
The Lily, like the Annie, had been
named for the sister of its owner. 1t
was a new boat, understood to have been
built expressly to beat the Jason boat.
Boast and banter ran high in cOnse-
quence, and high words were exchanged
daily between the hackers of the TWO
crafts.
One evening Jay and Sim met down
by the shore, where they had come 70
look after their boats Both men were
accompanied by friends.
If | owned an old tub like that one
yonder," said Jay Spyatt to his compan-
ions, pointing to the Annie and speaking
in tones loud enough 10 be heard by the
Jason crowd, I'd leave her 10 the mer-
cy Of the wind and weather and let her
take care Of herself"
That tub. as you call her. can out
sail that box of yours retorted sim,
stopping and looking around detiantly.
Il don't believe 1t.
Il didn't ask you to take my word for
it, Jay Spratt But if you have the
spunk of kitten / can prove II TO you
this very night"
How" asked jay. affecting surprise.
III sail you race 70 Reddish light
house and back. From the looks Of the
sky we ara likely u nave all sorts Of
weather-wir1ss and Gains and squalls
and our boats VIII have an equal
chance.
Jay considered a few moments. The
sky looked threatening and the night
would be dark. The distance was TWEEN
~ miles. and to go ont OF the bay with
every indication for a stormy night was
risky business; but Jay knew ne must
either accept the banter OF back down IN
disgrace, tacitlv acknowledging the In
fsriority Of ms boat, and mourning be-
sides the reputation OF a coward. These
thoughts flashed through MS brain. and
in moment mis- mind was made up.
Aye, he would ou.Uraye sim N accept
ing the challenge.
Il accept your proposition, Sim he
said. Then he adGei. And 20 make
the race more even f1r you VIII only
take sister Lily along TO help ne sail the
boat
4 Wild yell Of approval went Up from
MS companions. for al knew that Lily
ogratt was as p.1c..y a g,rl as there
vas IN T0rasbu-g. and that her skill
p haud.iu. a boat vas second only q
go. Of tins most xI=rt Gos,meu IL TIE
...aze
Just then Annie = ~ came upon the
---ue. and Joining be. .-o-ae- ASKED the
al,e 70. tire uyrozr SIM told her II
-1-ued whlsye-.
The Syra.-s shs'L't crow over rs.
Il. she sad resolEte-v. stamping her
f-zL foot upon the sand, IN g WITH
When Sim made noEE VIA: - -