The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-01-19
A TALE OF TWO CITIES.
BadgertOwn, Alkali City and the
County Seat Contest.


For some time Badgertown had en-
tertained the most perverse antagon-
ism toward Alllali City, and. on the
other hand All1ali City had looked
upon Badgertown with the supremest
contempt.
Each town regarded the other as a
trespasser and q 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 Allkali City, ''uv
town Of only scventy-four inha bitants
claimin' the right ter the county seat
over a city NV nearly a hundred pOpu-
lation. Hits preposterous!'
Hits outrageous, an deserves the
contempt Nv every intelligent squatter
on Coyote Prairie" observed Bill Bar
Ondollar, q muscular SiX-fOoter from
Missouri, who had cast his fortunes
with Alkali City. Seems ter me-" he
went on, ''that hits nothin' better an
Il confidence game ter git strangers ter
stop in Badgertown.
'Why," he continued, getting
warmed up with the subject, the
mayor Nv Badgertown has had the gall
ter actually ask strangers ter come thar
an meek thar homes Had circular
printed, which SEE that the town is on
the eve NV q 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 emery cuss IIain't Alkali City in
Cactus county? Hang my looks if it
amt a downright insult ter"
''Bill," interrupted the mayor, re-
moving the cob pipe from his mouth
and fixing Il look of incredulity upon
the speaker, ''ken ye produce that cir
- cular?'
'lIyar it is" responded Barondollar,
drawing out greasy, well-worn docu-
ment from his pocket, and handing it
to the mayor
Nathan Sllidmore took the paper and
read it through with thoughtful coun-
tcnance.
'Ill be hanged!'' he broke forth, ''if
IS it amt enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter the tentiary-hit
just is-er I'm a liar an don't know my
own namer' 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,
lis ter call "a meetin' Nv the board Nv
trade NV Alllali City an provide meas
ures fer the abatement NV public noos-
ance, an think"
''Badgertown would come under that
head" broke in Barondollar.
Nathan said Barondollar. s'bv
what method would We perpose ter set
tie the diiIiculty?'
''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, q short distance
away.
The next day, at an early hour, a
meeting of the Allxali- board of trade
was called, and its members assembled
in Bill Barondollar's cabin
:. The mayor was the first to address
tho meeting,
stFcller citizens an members Nv the
! board Nv trade" he began, 1--WE hev
met fer the consideration Nv a uues-
ton which is Nv the most vital impor-
lance for every citizen of Alkali CITY.
BadgertoWn, it seems, hev issued Cir
cular which reflects on the gooduv this
city, an. as l am hOnored by bein' the
chief magistrate Nv the same l feel
that, in justice ter myself and worthy
teller clllzenS, some action should be
taken at once ter yindicaLe ourselves in
the eyes of the world an the intelli-
gent sQuatters of Cactus county
= How shall this be reconnaissance"
continued the official, when the enthu-
siasm had subsidized.
Il can't meek no speech" said Jim
Budlow, but I'm hyar ter say that l
lndorse every word our honorable
mayor hev sed,- an l think we orter
form ourselves inter an investigatin'
committy an ride over to Badgertown.
an If they don't 'pologize an meek
amends Tor their conduct, meek an ex.
ample out ov EN-
My Idly, egzactly." chimed in Bill
barondollar. and this opinion was
speedily ratified by the entire crowd.
Then the meeting adjourned.
half hour later a delegation of
armed and mounted men, headed bv
the mayor, left Alkali City and galloped
swiftly toward Badgcrtown.
Boys, says Barondollar, s:if thew
don't do the square thing
Fix 'em so they'll wish thew had >,
broke IN Joe Budlow, jerking his hand
In the direction of heavy six-shooter
mat protruded from under his loose
coat.
ne air ter do nothin' without orders
from me- said the mayor. in a voice of
command. ''I'm the commandar nv
this company, an I'll give the orders ~
the right time
A cluster of miserable little shanties
scattered about the wind-swept pra;r;a
were all the indicationssof a town To he
seen IN front Of one of these shant;os
little crowd of men were colleo+oa
conversing in low tones.
Inc men from Allxali Civ an
preached The mayor was the fret -
speak. Step ing to the front of the
crowd he sale: ''e
Gentlemea of Badgertown, We see
De,ore ye committy Nv citizens NV
Alkah City, opointed by the board nv
'rade Ter .vestigate the lyin' an,
siand rous ste ries We have been circn-
iatn regardin' our city, an ter ask We
Ter pologize in fittin' manner er su fer
the consequences-which means that
we intend to tear down this dilapidated
cnicken ranch, scatter its ricletu
henroosts ter the four winds. an, 81