The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-02-13
END OF A QUARREL.
The Happy Settlement OF a Bitter
Family Feud

AS far back as the oldest inhabitant
could remember there had been 8
feud between the Jasons and the
Spratts. 1t had never been a deadly
one, but it had been very bitter for all
that There were people. too, in and
about Tomsburg who took special de-
light, it seemed. in keeping the two
families constantly in hot water by car
rying talcs between tho two houses
Tomsburg is situated on the shore of
one of the many bays on the Texas
coast where nine out of every ten of
the inhabitants own sailing craft
some kind, the greater number being
what are commonly called cat-boats, on
which they make weekly trips to tho
adjacent cities, carrying the products of
their gardens and fields
Sim Jason owned one of these boats,
a trim little craft 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 q banter
from the Spratt adherents that jays
boat, tho 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 o new boat,
understood to have been built expressly
to beat the Jason boat
One evening Jay and Sim met down
by the shore, where they had come to
look after their boats. Both men were
accompanied by friends
IF / owned an old tub like that one
yonder," said Jay Spratt TO his COM
panions, pointing to the Annie, and
speaking in tones loud enough TO be
heard by the Jason crowd, I'D leave
her TO the mercy OF the wind and
weather, and let her take care OF her
self"
That tub, as you call her, can out
sail that box of yours" retorted Sim.
and if you have the spuuk of . kitten
l can prove it 10 you this very night"
''How?- asked Jay, affecting surprise.
In sail you q race TO Reddish light
house and back From the looks Of the
sky We are likely TO have all sorts of
weather. and our boats will have an
equal chance"
Jay considered a few moments The
sky looked threatening, and the night
would be dark; but Jay knew he must
either accept the banter or back down
in disgrace. Aye, he would outbrave
Sim in accepting the challenge
81 accept your proposition, Sim," he
said, and then added: "And, to make
the race more even for you, will only
take sister Lily along TO help sail the
boat"
wild yell of approval went up from
his companions, for all knew that Lily
Spratt was as plucbly a girl as there was
in Tomsburg.
Just then Annie Jason came upon the
scene, and asked the cause of the up
roar. Sim told her in a hurried whisper.
"The Spratts sha'n't crow over US,
Sim." she said, resolutely. 'Ill go
with YOU"
In a short time the news Of the pro-
posed race spread through Tomsburg,
and in less than half an hours time
men, women and children were congre-
gated upon tho shore, all taking live
ly interest in the preparations being
made there.
The young men made hasty survey
to see that their crafts were in ship
shape, and, having satisfied themselves
that every thing had been properly at
tended to, grasped the tillers, gave the
signal to cast of. and darted away from
the shore, like birds on snowy wings,
amid lusty cheers from those left be-
hind.
The sky looked rent and threatening.
There was distant thunder and fire.
quent flashes of lightning. Dark, tow
ering masses of clouds rose slowly on
all sides OF the horizon. The water was
Ugh, and the waves ran pretty high.
casting a drenching spray over every
thing as the little crafts were forced
straight through them.
- - , S$v
even race; then the wind died out COM
plotely. Night had set in. The
thunder sounded louder and closer and
the lightning came in binding flashes
The clouds rolled upward from every