The Forrest City times., 1894-02-02
A TALE OF TWO CITIES.
Badgertown, Alkali City and tn.
 County Scat Contest.

Toi Soihc liiuc DduSeTlOWH Hdu en- tertained the most pevverse antagon- ism toward Alkali City, and. on the other hand Alkali City had looked upon Badgertown with the supremest contempt.
 Each town regarded the other as trespasser and a menace to the pros- perity of Cactus county, and each claimed the sovereign right to become the county seat when the new county should be organized.
 ''Jist ter think" exclaimed Nathan Skidmore, the mayor of Alkali City, ''uv a town of only seventy.four inha bitants claimin' the right ter the county seat over city nv nearly hundred popu- lation. Hits preposterous"
 Hits outrageous, an desarves the contempt nv every intelligent squatter on Coyote Prairie" observed Bill Bar ondollar, a muscular six-footer from with Alkali City Seems ter me-" he went on, that hits nothin better an a confidence game ter git strangers ter stop in Badgertown.
 Why" he continued, getting warmed up with the subject, l" the mayor nv Badgertown has had the gall ter actually ask strangers ter come thar an meek thar homes. Had a circular printed, which sez that the town is on the eve uv a great boom-fnest loca- ton on Coyote Prairie, rich soil, fine water, Italyon climant, an the only live city in Cactus county! Blame take the onery cuss! Hain't Albali City in Cactus county? Hang my looks if it ain't downright insult ter -"
 Bill" interrupted the mayor, re- moving the cob pipe from his mouth and fixing look of incredulity upon the speaker, "ken ye produce thet cir cular?'
 "Hyar it is" responded Barc ndollar. drawing out greasy, well-worn docu- ment from his pocket, and handing 1t to the mayor.
 Nathan Skidmore took the paper and read it through with a thoughtful coun- tenauce.
 "Tll be hangedr' he broke forth. If it ain't enough to send every cuss in Badgertown ter the pen'tentiary-hit just is-er I'm liar an don't know my own name.'' and he shook his fist in the direction of the despised city.
 1.-The correct thing ter do, accordin' ter my judgment" pursued the mayor, '.is ter call d meetin' nv the board nv trade nv Alkali City an provide meas ures fer the abatement uv public noos- ance, an l think"
 "Badgertown would come under that head" broke in Barondollar.
 Nathan said Barondollar, "by what method would ye perpose ter set tie the difficulty"
 ..This," and Nathan Skidmore tapped . six-shooter that hung at his side.
 Barondollar nodded his approval of the mayors ''method," and the two separated for the night, Barondollar going to his cabin. short distance away.
 The next day, at an early hour, meeting of the Alkali board of trede was called, and its members assem bled in Bill Barondollar's cabin.
 The mayor was the first to address the meeting.
 .Feller citizens an members uv the board uv trade" he began, we hev met fer the consideration nv ques- tion which is nv the most vital impor- tance for every citizen of Alkali City. Badpertown, it seems, hev issued a cir cular which reflects on the good nv this city. an. as I am honored by bein the chief magistrate uv the same, l feel that, in justice ter myself and worthy feller citizens, some action should De taken at once ter vindicate ourselves Tn the eyes of the world an the inteiil- gent squatters of Cactus county
 How shall this be accomplished? continued the official, when the epthu' yi:. sm had subsided