The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-21
TWO CITIES.

Iol SOulc tliilo DduSeItOWu ilau en-
tertained the most pcrverso antagonisn
toward AlSali City, and, OH the other
hand, Alkali City had looked upon
Badgertown with supreme contempt
Each town regarded the other as IA
trespasser and menace to tho prosper
ity of Cactus county, and each claimed
the sovereign right to become the coun-
ty seat when the new county should be
organized. list ter think" exclaim-
ed Nathan Skidmore, the mayor of AL
kali City, "uv Il town NV only II in
habi.ants claimin the right ter tho coun-
ty seat over city NV nearly 100 popu-
lation! Hits preposterous!'
Hits outrageous an deserves the
contempt NV every Intelligent squatter
on Coyote prairie, " observed Bill Baron
dollal, IL muscular six footer from Mis-
souri, who had cast his fortunes with
Alkali City. Seems ter me, y ho went
on, that hits nothin better AN con-
fidence game ter git strangers ter stop
in Badgertown.
why" he continued, getting warm
ed up with the subject, ''the mayor nv
Badgertown has had the gall ter actual
ly ask strangers ter como thar an meek
thar homes; had circular printed.
which seq that the town is on the eve
NV great bCom-fnest location on
Coyote prairie, rich soil, fine water,
1talyon climant, an the only live city in
Cactus county! Blame take the onery
cuss! Haunt Alkali City in Cactus
county? Hang my looks, if it amt IL
downright insult teri
Bill, interrupted the mayor, re-
moving the cob pipe from his mouth
and fixing a look of incredulity upon
the speaker, ken ye produce that cir
cular:"
"Hyar it is, - responded Barondollar,
drawing out II greasy, we'll worn docu-
ment from his pocket and handing it to
the mayor.
Nathan Skidnore took the paper and
read it through with thoughtful coun-
tenancc.
iii he hanged, he broke forth, eff
it amt enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter tho pen Tertiary hit
just is-er I'm Il liar an don t know my
own name"' And he shook his fist in
the direction of the despiscd city.
The correct thing ter do, accordin
ter my Judgment, pursued the mayor,
lis ter call a meetin NV the board NV
trade NV Alkali City an provide meas
ures fer the abatement NV public moo
sances, an l think -
"BadgertOwn would come under that
head, " broke in Barondollar.
Nathan" said Barondollar, "bv
what method would we perpose ter set
tie the difficulty"
This, u and Nathan Skidmorc tapped
six shooter that hung at his side.
Barondollar nodded his approval of
the mayors method, and the two sep
aratcd for the night, Barondollar go
ing to his cabin, a short distance away.
Tho next day at an early hour a
meeting of the Alkali City board of
trade was called, and its members as
semblcd i'll Bill Barondollar's cabin.
The mayor was the first to address
tho meeting
'Fellcr citizens an members NV the
board NV trade" he began, we hcv
met fer the consideration nv a question
which is NY the most vital Importance
fer every citizen NV Alkal City. Badg-
ertown. it seems, hcv issued circular
which reflects on the good NV this city,
an as am honorcd by bein tho chief
magistrate NV the Same l feel that, in
justice ter myself an worthy Teller citi-
zens, some action should be taken at
onco ter vindicate ourselves in the eyes
NV the world an tho Intelligent squat
tiers NV Cactus county,
How shall this be accomplishcd?"
continued the official when the enthus-
iasm had subsidized.
Il cant meek no Speech" said Jim
Budlow, but I'm hyar ter say that l
indorse every word our honorable mayor
hev sed, an think we orter form our
selves inter an investigation committy
an ride over to Badgertown, an if they
don't 'pologize an meek amends for
their conduct meek an example out ov
'em."
my Idly egzactly," chimed in Bill
Barondollar, and this opinion was speed
lily ratified by the entire crowd. Then
the meeting adjourned.
A half hour later delegation Of
armed and mounted men, headed by
the mayor, left Alkali City and gallop-
ed swiftly toward Badgertown.
Boys" says Barondollar, if they
don't do the square thing
Elk 'em 30 they'll wish they had,
broke i'll Joe Budlow, jerking his hand
In the direction Of a heavy six shooter
that protruded from under his loose
coat.
"Ye air ter do nothin without orders
from me-" said the mayor in voice of
command. I'm the commander NV this
company, an III give the orders at the
right time"
A cluster of miserable little shanties