Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-07-17
MOUNTAIN RIVALS.

When we part in the light of morning.
Lillian Plunkett in San Francisco Call.
MOUNTAIN RIVALS.
Between the Jackets and the Trowers
there had long existed feud. It had
begun back in the time of the grand
fathers of the present generation, and 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
'bitten the dust' in futile attempt at
settling old scores.
At the opening of my story the feud was
in as unsettled a 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 girl--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 a
merry dance of it, and to besiege each
bosom with hopes and fears alternately.
1t was a harmless coquetry, however, and
she did not mean that any trouble should
result from it, SO she gave both suitors to
understand that any breach Of the peace
would at once be visited with her lasting
and severe displeasure.
Miss Betsy strove to avoid favoritism.
If she went to singing school with Steve
Trower on one occasion, she was apt to at
tend meeting with Grove Hacket on the
next The rivals had reached tacit under
standing regarding Sunday counting, so
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 ac-
corded a gracious privilege to her attendant
to loiter at the bars and entertain her, or
perhaps to keep a hungry calf at bay while
she MIXED. Miss Betsy was coquette
enough to throw a 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 her
"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 big show aeon
in'," answered Grove.
''Shet up, nowl I know BETTER" cried
his interested auditor, pausing for a mo-
ment in her occupation, and thereby cut
ting off the two streams of milk that
flowed into the pail with asound most tan
talizing to the hungry calf.
s'Yes, sirreer' continued her adnlirer To-
quaciously. Isl Parker war down thar
t'other day an seed ther big picters hisse'f,
a-tellin' all bout hit"
dispose yer air a-goin'?" Miss Betsy re-
marked, after a few moments silence.
eff I kin git good company, mout,"
said Grove, with subtle meaning.
ST 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. "One gal can go on weth foolish
ness an SeCu DOuO eZ well cA u OUucf.
"Well, low to go weth Their purtiest
gal in all these yere hills eff she'll go weth
me-" continued Grove seductively.
''Thar liz 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.
ri warrent thinkin' O. no Malviny Peev-
ler." retorted Grove.
ISIS Rice hain't no rale homely gal, eff
her hair is red an her nose turns UP some"
continued Miss Betsy refectively. "Sawl
restless COW.
"'Tain't no Sis Rice, nuther, "interposed
Grove with a faint touch Of reproach in
his tone 'I7d just make Decline fer yer.
Miss Betsy, an yer knows hit"
Ella, Mr. Hacketi' exclaimed Miss Betsy
with toss of her head, and stopping long
enough to send 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 Creek
settlement on Tuesday of the following
week.
Trower found his plans sadly shattered
day and asked for Miss Betsy's company
to the circus. His disappointment was SO
evident that Miss Betsy's heart was
suggestion that ''big meetin' warn't a hun
bred miles off, an she s'posed folks would
want to go to hit too"
10 ofC diCan.
pointment was the feeling that his rival
had taken undue advantage of him. Grove
Hacket had gone with Miss Betsy to the
circus the year before, and thisshould have
been his own opportunity, and his heart
was filled with deep resentment.
Now Steve was something of a schemer
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 cum
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 q spree now
and then, and as he had now been sober
for quite a while he was probably in fit
condition to be tempted successfully.
Early Monday morning Steve rode over
to Billy Warmers carrying with him a
brown jug Of innocent appearance but dis
reputable contents, Bill was harmless,
good for nothing creature, fond of his
dram and of sweet idleness. He lived near
Haeket's, 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:
'sIll fix him fer We, sartain an shot,"
By o'clock On Tuesday morning Miss
Betsy had bestirred herself and the rest Of
the household in her preparations for an