Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-03
END OF A QUARREL.
The Happy Settlement of Bite,
Family Feud.

AS far back as the Oldest inhabitant
could remember there had been
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 tales between the 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 of
some kind, the greater number being
what are commonly called cat-boats, on
which thoy mako weekly trips to the
adjacent cities, carrying the products of
their gardens and fields.
Sim Jason owned one of these boats,
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 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 it's owner. 1t was a new boat,
understood to have been built expressly
to beat the Jason boat.
Ono 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 l 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,
land if you have the spunk of a kitten
can prove it to you this very night"
''How?" asked Jay, affecting surprise.
III sail you 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 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, no would outbrave
Sim in accepting the challenge.
~ accept your proposition, Sim," he
said, and then added: "And, to make
the race more oven for you, will only
take sister Lily along to help sail the
boat"
A wild yell of approval went up from
his companions, Cor all knew that Lily
Spratt was as plucky 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 o hurried whisper
1.-THE Spratts sha'n't crow over us
Sim," she said, resolutely. 'Irl az
with you"
In 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 the shore, all taking live
ly interest in the preparations being
made there.
The young men made a hasty survey
to see that their crafts were in shil
shape, and, having satisfied themselves
that every thing had been properly at
tended to, grasped the tillers, gave thu
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 OF
all sides of the horizon. The water wa