Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-18
A TALE OF Two CITIES.
Badgertown, AlSali City and the
County Scat Contest.

Other hdnd, Alkali City had looked
upon Badgertown with the supremest
contempt.
Each town regarded the other as a
trespasser and 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 Alltali City, "uv
town of only seventy.four inhabitants
claimin' the right ter the county seat
over city nv nearly hundred popu.
lation. Hits preposterousv
Hits outrageous, an deserves the
contempt NV every intelligent squatter
on Coyote Prairie" observed Bill Bar.
ondollar, n muscular six-footer from
Missouri, who had cast his fortunes
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, the
mayor NV Badgertown has had the gall
ter actually ask strangers ter come thar
Nh hNNh NildI hOlnta. lluu u circular
printed, which sez that the town Is ON
the eve NV great boom-flnest loca.
tion on Coyote Prairie, rich soil, fine
water, ltalyon climant. an the only
live city in Cactus county, Blame take
the emery cussl llain't AllSuli City in
Cactus county? Hang my looks II 1t
amt downright insult ter"
BILL" interrupted the mayor, re.
moving the cob pipe from his mouth
and fixing look OF iucrcdulity upon
the speaker, "ken ye produce that cir.
cular?"
"llyar it is" responded narondollar,
drawing out n greasy, wcll-worn Gocu-
ment from his pocket, and handing 1t
to the mayor
Nathan Slsidmorc took the paper and
read it through with thoughtful coun-
tcnaucc.
I'm be hanged!' he broke forth, "if
1t amt enough to send every cuss in
liadgcrtOwn ter the pen'tcntiary
just is-cr I'm liar an don't know my
own name" and he shook his fist in
the direction of the dcspiscd city.
THE correct thing ter do, accordin
ter my judgment" pursuel'thc mayor,
lis ter call u mcctin' Nv the board NV
trade NV AllSali City AN provide meas
ures fer the abatement nv public noos-
ancc, an thinls-"
"Badgertown would come under that
head" broke In Barondollar.
Nathan" said Baroudollar, "by
what method would We perpose ter set
tie the diiliculty2'
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, n
meeting of the Alkali board Of trade"
was called, and its members assembled
In Bill Barondollar's cabin.
The mayor was the first TO address
the meeting.
"Feller citizens an members NV the
board NV trade" he began, 1--WE hev
met fer the consideration NV ques-
ton which is NV the most vital impor-
lance for every citizen OF AllSali City
Badgertown, 1t seems, hev issued cir
cular which reflects on the good NV this
city, an, as | am honorcd by bcin the
chief magistrate NV the same, feel
that, in justice ter myself and worthy
Teller citizens, some action should be
taken at once ter viDdlcale ourselves In
the eyes Of the world an the intclli-
gent squattcrs Of Cactus county.
Glow shall this be accomplished2"
continued the official when the epthu-
siasm had subsidized.
81 can't meek no speech" said Jim
Budlpw, but I'm hyar ter say that
indorse every word our honorable
mayor hev sed, an | think we orter
form ourselves inter an ipyostigatin'
committy an ride over 70 Badgertown,
an il they don't 'pologize an meek
amends for their conduct, meek an ex-
ample out oy en-"
"My Idly, ogaactly." chimed in Bill
Barondollar, and this opinion was
speedily ratified by the entire crowd.
Ihen the meeting adjourned.
A half hour later II delegation of
armed and mounted men, headed by
the mayor, left Allsali City and galloped
swiftly toward Badgcrtown.
boys" says Barondollar III they
don't do the square thing"
Fix EN- so thoyn wish they had, Z"
broke IN Joe Budlow, jerking his hand
/ In the direction OF a heavy six-shooter
that protruded from under his loose
coat
! I'VE mir ter do nOthin' without orders
/ from me, said the mayor, in voice OF
command I'm the commander nv
this company, an I'll give the orders at
the right time"
A cluster Of miserable little shanties
scattered about the wind-swept prairie
were all the indications of town 10 be
seen, In front of one OF these shan tea
a little crowd Of men were collected,
convcrsing In low tones.
The men from Alkali city APP
preached Tho mayor was the first To
speak. Stepping TO the front Of the
crowd he said:
"Gentlemon Of Badgcrtown, yc see
before ye a committy nv citizens NV
Allsali City, appointed by the board NV
trade ter Investigate the lynn AN
slund'rous stories yc have been eircu.
latin regardin our city, an ter pAS yc
ter 'pologize in 4 tittin' manner err suffer
H.. - 81.