Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1891-12-16
THE END OF THE FEUD.


IA fur back ns tho oldest inhabitant
could remember there had been n feud
between the Jnsons and the Spratts. II
Ind never been deadly one. but II had
been very bitter for all that, aud had
caused great deal ofiil feeling, not be-
tween the two families alone. but among
many others who through alliance with
either had been dragged into tho quar-
rel.
There were people, too. In and about
Tomsburg who took special delight, "a
seemed. In keeping tho two families
constantly In hot water by CARRYING
tales between the two houses. Often
these tales were fimsy fabricntions.
woven from the imaginations OF tho tell.
crs. which would have bcon readily do
tected M fiction 10y people lcsa prciu-
diced against one another than tile .Jn-
Sons and Spratts. but as II was the bnsy
bodies and mischief makers had mn opan-
and free field wherein % excrcis. their
moro or Ices ingenious art OF story tell
ing
At the time OF tho ending Of the fcud
Sim Jason wns tho representative Of ono
side and JAY Spratt of tho other. They
were both young mon. unmarried. and
Intelligent I'm everything except the One
subject OF tho family fcud, an exception
not to bc wondered at, since they had
imbibcd prejudice against each other
with their mothers milk.
But time. tho rcsistlcss. that under
mines empires aud causes them 10 tum-
ble In night. brings changes every.
where. Sooner or lator everything suc-
cuinbs nad is no more. Tho Tomsburg
feud ended In night. aud that, too,
when IL seemed 10 liavo grown more
bitter md moro deadly than 1t had ever
been before
ToInsburg Is situated on tho shore Of
one OF the many bayson tho Texas coast,
where nine out of every ten OF the in.
habitants own sailing craft OF some
kind. the greater number being what nre
commonly called catboats. on which
they make weekly trips 10 the adjacent
cities. carrying tho products OF their
gardens and fields.
Sim Jason owned ono OF these boats,
trim little craft. and one Of the swiftest
that plowed the waters Of the bny. 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 waH a banter from
the Spratt adhcrents that Jays boat. the
Lily. could ottsail him under any aud
all conditions
Tho Lily. liko tho Annie. had been
named for the sister OF It's owner. II
was "A new boat. understood TO have been
built expressly 10 beat tho Jason boat.
Boast and banter ran high In conse-
quence. and high words were exchanged
daily between tho hackers OF the two
crafts.
One evening Jay and Sim met down
by the shore. where they had come 10
look after their boats. Both men wero
accompanied by friends.
"If owned an old tub like that one
yonder." said Jay Spratt 20 his compan-
ions. pointing 90 the Annie and speaking
ia tones loud enough 70 DO heard by the
Jason crowd. "rd leave her 70 the mer.
cy Of the wind and weather and let her
take care Of herself
THAT tab. as you call her, can out
sail that box Of y0urs," retorted Sim,
stopping and looking around defiaBtly.
81 don't believe II"
Il didn't ask yon % take my word fOr
II, Jay Spratt But IL you have the
spunk % kitten can prove 1t % you
this very night"
''Howr' asked jay. affecting surprise.
III sail you n race 10 Rcdhsh light
house and back From the looks Of the
sky we are likely 20 have all sorts of
weather. winds and calIns and squalls
and our boats will have an equal
chance
Jay considered few moments. The
ehy looked threatening and ths night
would BE- dark. The distance was TWEEN.
I y uiiie- ard ~ 60 out on the bay with
I every indication Tor stormy night was
. risky business. but Jay knew he must
either accept the banter OF back down iD
7 dirgrace. tacitly acknowledging the IN
I SeriOrity of his boat, and incurring be-
I sides the reputation q o coward Thee
thoughts iashe'l through his brain. and
| In moment bis mind was made up.
I Aye. be would outDrave sim Ia accept
Z ing the challenge.
Il accept your proposition. sim,' he
said Then be added. "And % make
the race more even for you win only
take sister LILY along 10 help me sail the
boat
a Wild ycll u approval went up from
bis companions. fof ali knew that LILY
syrttt was o. piacly q girl as there
Wa iu T0msbnrs. aud that her skill
IN handling boat wa second oniy %
that of the most expert boatmeu Ia the
village
Just then Annie Jason came upon tho
scene. and joining her brother asked the
cause for toe uproar. Sim told ber in o
hurried whisper.