The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-20

MOUNTAIN RIVALS.

fathers of the present generation, ana the
original cause had been lost TO sight, yet
seven or eight of the different members Of
the two families had from time to time
sbitten the DUST in futile attempt at
settling old scores.
At the opening of my story the feud was
in as unsettled state as for years previ-
Gus, although the difficulties in the way of
final adjustment seemed less formidable,
in that one sole male representative of
each house was left to maintain its honor
and uphold its reputation for bravery.
The two young men were of almost the
same age, and were well matched in phys
ical proportions, being athletic and hardy.
There seemed to be excellent grounds
for apprehension when the two young men
began TO pay attentions to the same glrl-a
rivalry that is apt TO produce discord, even
between friends. With woman's subtle
art, even though untutored, Miss Betsy
Scruggs managed to lead each victim
merry dance of it, and to besiege each
bosom with hopes and fears alternately.
1t was a harmless coquetry, however, and
she did net mean that any trouble should
result from it, so she gave both suitors to
understand that any breach Of the peacs
would at once be visited with her lasting
and severe displeasure.
Miss Betsy strove to avoid favoritism.
II she went TO singing school with Steve
Trower on one occasion, she was apt to at
tend meeting with Grove Racket on the
next. The rivals had reached tacit under
standing regarding Sunday counting, SC
that one did not intrude upon the other.
There was not entire idleness on these
Sunday afternoons, for when milking time
came Miss Betsy took her piggin and &C
corded gracious privilegeto her attendant
70 loiter at the bars and entertain her, OF
perhaps to keep hungry calf at bay while
she MIXED Miss Betsy was coquette
enough to throw charm over even this
prosaic occupation, so that it became one
OF the enjoyable features of the day. On
one occasion, as she sat and MIXED hel
'little cow with the crumpled horn" such
as these mountainous regions develop,
Grove Hacket leaned against the bars.
''Thar's goin ter be great times down ter
Dry Crick settlement, mex week come a
Chuesday," observed Grove.
''Hez big meetin' begund down thar
a'ready?" inquired Miss Betsy, glancing
over her shoulder.
'Shuckins! no. Big meetin' don't come
off till mex month. Hits a big show aeon
in" answered Grove.
'Shet up, nowl | know better" cried
his interested auditor, pausing for mo-
ment in her occupation, and thereby cut
ting off the two streams of milk that
flowed into the pail with a sound most tan
taIzing to the hungry calf
Yes, sirree!" continued her admirer To-
quaciously. Isl Parker war down thar
t'other day an seed Their big picters hisse'f.
a-tellin' all bout hit"
81 s'pose yer air a-goin'!" Miss Betsy re
marked, after few moments silence.
IF l kin git good company, l mout,"
said Grove, with subtle meaning.
81 low eff yer look round huff, 'twon't
be no powerful hard thing ter do. Folks
is plentiful bout yere."
Anybody hain't company" said Grove,
with artful emphasis.
Folks is folks, though" remarked Miss
Betsy. Zone gal can go on weth foolish.
ness an sech bout ez well ez tother."
We'll, low to go weth Their purtiest
gal in all these yere hills eff she'll go weth
ne" continued Grove seductively.
Thar IL them ez says Malviny Peevler
IS right peart lookin', though hit never
struck me powerful" said Miss Betsy in
audible soliloquy, apparently unmindful
OF her beau's presence.
u warrent thinkin' O. no Malviny Peev
Ter" retorted Grove.
sis Rice hain't no rale homely gal, el
her hair is red an her nose turns IN some, :"
continued Miss Betsy refectively. Saw
Piney, sawl'' she added soothingly TO hel
restless cow.
"'Tain't no Sis Rice, nuther, +" interposed
Grove with faint touch of reproach in
his tone. I'D just make beeline fer yer.
Miss Betsy, an yer knows HIT"
LA, Mr.. Hacket." exclaimed Miss Betsy
with "a toss of her head, and stopping long
enough to send a disturbing glance in the
direction of her admirer, whoever did
hear o. sech foolishness?"
Before the milking was over, however,
Miss Betsy had consented TO accompany
Mr. Hacket to the circus at Dry Greek
settlement on Tuesday of the following
week.
In consequence of this engagement Steve
Trower found his plans sadly shattere'
when he presented himself the next Sun
day and asked for Miss Betsy's company
to the circus. His disappointment was sc
evident that Miss Betsy's heart was
touched and she advanced the soothing
suggestion that big meetin' warn't hun
dred miles off, an she sposed folks would
want to go to hit too"
Added TO Steve's sense of great disap
pointment was the feeling that his rival
had taken undue advantage Of him. Grove
Hacket had gone with Miss Betsy 10 the
circus the year before, and this should have
been his own opportunity, and his heart
was filed with a deep resentment.
Now Steve was something of a schemel
by nature, and, melted by jealousy and an
ger, he began to cast about for some plan
whereby he might cirCumvent his rival
and accomplish his own ends. His Gun
ming at once suggested for attack the weak
est spot in his adversary's character. He
knew Groves fondness for "moonshine,
and his propensity to get on spree now
and then, and as ne had now been sober
for quite while he was probably in lit
condition to be tempted successfully.
Early Monday morning Steve rode over
70 Billy Warmers carrying with him q
brown jug Of innocent appearance but dis
reputable contents Bill was a harmless,
good for nothing creature, fond OF his
dram and of sweet idleness. He lived neal
Jackets, and had frequently Joined him
on his sprees. When Steve rode away
from Bill Warmers he left the jug behind,
and his hosts parting words were:
L IL Tx MIN Ter y (, saANalH az sHe
By4 o'clock on Tuesday morning Miss
Betsy had bestirred herself and the rest OF
the household in her preparations for an
early departure. as the road was long
and rough one and start by daylight was
necessary.
After breakfast Miss Betsy arrayed her
self in her most bewitching toilet in honor
of the occasion. Then she got out hei
riding skirt and sat down 10 await her IS