Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-01-12

cuss! liant Alka1 City III Cactus
county? Hang my looks, if it amt
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 that Cir
cular?'
'Hyar it is, responded Barondollar,
drawing out greasy, well worn docu-
nent from his pocket and handing it to
the mayor.
Nathan Skidmore took the paper and
read it through with a thoughtful coun-
tenance.
"I'll be hanged, he broke forth, if
it ain It enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter the pen tentiary-hit
| just is-er I'm a liar an don 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 meetin NV the board Nv
trade Nv Alkali City an provide meas
| ures fer the abatement Nv public moo
sances, an think -
"Badgertown would come under that
head broke in Barondollar.
Nathan" said Barondollar, "by
what method would We perpose ter set
tie the dificulty?''
This" and Nathan Skidmore tapped
six shooter that hung at his side.
Barondollar nodded his approval Of
the mayor method, and the two sep
arated for the night, Barondollar 60
| ing to his cabin, short distance away.
The next day at an early hour a
meeting of the Alkali City board of
trade was called, and its members as
seanbled 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, "we hev
met fer the consideration Nv question
which is Nv the most vital importance
fer every citizen Nv Alkali City. Badg
ertown, it seems, hev issued a circular
which reflects on the good Nv this city,
an as l am honored by bein the chief
magistrate Nv the same l feel that, in
justice ter myself an worthy Teller citi-
zens, some action should be taken at
once ter vindicate ourselves in the eyes
Nv the world an the intelligent squat
tiers Nv Cactus county,
How shall this be Accomplished"
continued the official when the enthus-
iasm had subsidized.
Il can't meek no speech, said Jim
Budlow, but I'm hyar ter say that
indorse every word our honorable mayor
hev sed, all | think we orter form our
selves inter an investigation colnmitty
an ride over to Badgertown, an if they
don't 'pologize an meek amends for
their conduct meek al example out ov
'e1n.
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 a delegation of
armed and mounted men, headed by
the mayor, left AllSali City and gallon
ed swiftly toward Badgertown.
Boys says Barondollar, if they
don t do the square thing -
Fix 'em SO they'll wish they had,'
broke III joe Budlow, Jerking his hand
in the direction Of q heavy six shooter
that protruded from under his loose
coat.
''Ye air ter do nothin without orders
from me-" said the mayor in Il voice of
command. I'm the commander Nv this
company, an l IL give the orders at the
right time
A cluster of miserable little shanties
scattered about the wind swept prairie
were all the indications of a town to be
seen. In front of one Of the shanties
little crowd of men was collected con-
7ersing in low tones.
The men from Alkali City approach
Ell. The mayor was the first to speak.
Stepping to the frent OF The crowd, he
aid:
Gentlemen Of Badgertovn, ye see
f0ra We comnlitty Nv citizens NV
Aikali City, appointed by the board nv
trade ter Investigate the lyin an SIAN
d'rous stories ye have been circulatir
regardin our city, an ter ask We tel
'poligize in fifth manner er suffer the
consequences-wilic means that we
intend to tear down this dilapidated
chicken ranch, scatter its ricketty hen
roosts ter the four winds, an administer
SIGH chastise1nent ter the defamers Nv
our city as will sarve as lastin warnia
ter all ike offenders in the future!
Bring out yer mayor an council, that we
may feast our eyes OH the biggest liars
that ever issued real estate circular OF
laid out town" -
The sound Of woman weeping bit
terly came from within the building,
and the mayor paused and cast ques>
tioning glance at the men before him.
Hits the mayor of Badgertown in
thar, said one of the men, nodding to-
ward the shanty He was throwed
from his boss and killed this mornin. -
The men from Allzali City exchanged
swift glances, but none Of them spoke.
One Of the strangers standing near by
now turned to the man nearest him and
said:
It'll be hard on his poor wife an
children. They hahn got hardly moth
in ter live On, | reckon.
Meanwhile Abe Horner, the marshal
Of Badgertown, had gathered little
crowd of citizens about him and was
talking earnestly.
Boys" he said, Il hain't got much
ter give, but m goin ter give all | can
ter help the pore wilder an family NV
little children, an know yell do the
same.
The marshal took off his hat, and
dropping several pieces Of silver into it