Smyrna times., 1894-01-17
1.-TWO OLD FOOLS"
BY FRANCIS C. WILLIAMS.

long, thin legs hanging from the ham
mock, was enjoying indOlently his
Henry Clay while he debated whether
he should go over to see the Major now
or wait until it was cooler. He had
just decided in favor of waiting, when
he heard a tramping from the side of
the house.
For moment he gave it little at
tentiOn. Then the long drawn bay of
IA hound came to his ears. The Col
onel's feet dropped to the floor and his
head was raised. Another howl from
the invisible hOund, and he pulled him
self to his feet picked up his hat and
turned down the low stone steps in the
direction of the sound.
AS he came around the corner of the
house, there was sudden crunching
of the gravel on the driveway, Il bel
low of mingled fear and anger and the
Colonel was knocked fiat by yearling
heifer which, snOrting its surprise,
trailed across the grass plot, hotly pur-
sued by the COlonePs hound.
The Colonel quickly scrambled to his
feet and looked about for the cause of
his downfall. He saw the heifer and
the hound. The pursued was making
at top speed for gap in the stake and
rider fence, where the crushed rails
showed that its head and feet had been
at work. AS his eye fell upon the
broken fence he INDUCED in some
highly favored remarks, and followed
them with an encouraging yell to the
hound Inspired by this, the dog
promptly bit the heifer in the flank
nearly tumbling it over in the gap of
the fence aud drawtAg from it bawl-
ing cry Of distress. The Colonel
dashed forward to urge on the hound,
but just as he reached the fence, there
was shot from the bushes, and the
hound came scurrying back, its tail be-
tween its legs. At almost the same in
stant a long legged man emerged from
behiRd tree trunk little way off and
ran forward, all the while endeavoring
to pour powder and shot into the bar.
rel of the gun which he carried.
At the fence gap he confronted Col
Onel Beebe. There was mutual start
as the men recognized each other
Then the Colonel recovered himself
Major Hawkin !" he broke out; l be-
lieve you have shot my hound.
have done that very thing replied
the Major with decision. And let me
add that l shall repeat the performance
every time that brute of yours chases
my cattle
The Major and he were old crOnie:
and, though both were hot blooded
they had never had a serious falling
out, and the Colonel tried hard to re
strain his temper. But this was the
third time that the Majors heifer haC
broken down the fence separating the
properties and made havoc with thu
ColOnels garden. The latter felt tha
patience we'll nigh had ceased to be
virtue, particularly now in view of tn,
Majors threats.
Major Hawkins he began, and ther,
was significance in his use of the title
l have no wish to foment any trouble
but most positively 1 shall not ALLOW
those cattle of yours on my place again
See that she is kept off, please! AS t,
shooting my dog, that is a matte
which only an apology from you Cal
recompense me for aud l trust you will
render me one Immediately
1 will do nothing of the kind! Tn
best thing you can do is to shoot you
whelp and save me the trouble of do
ing so! and the Major tapped his GU
suggestively.
Then all l can say, came slowly fror
the ColOnel's lips, is that you are n
gentleman
The Major started as if he had bee
stung. For the instant he did nc
realize the import of the words. The
a dull flush crept into his cheeks
usually very sallow, and he said col
cisely: You are liar.
The fatal words were spoken. Th
color leaped into the Colonels fac
and the Majors flush grew deep'
while his eyes returned the fash
those of the other. The two face
each other in silence for momen
Each was taken aback that for an il
stant the insult of the other could fin
no adequate return in speech.
Then the Colonel drew himself u
and said icily:
You can understand that this meal
only one thing?
The Major replied with the slighte
of bows.
have pair of pistols at my hou
!, continued the Colonel. With your pc
mission will send for them. TT
sooner this is settled the better?
The Major inclined his head trfl
and the other turned and called :Isra,
Israel
There was no reply, and again
raised his voice. This time was
answering call and a shufIling of fe,
4 which gradually became more distin,
\ A little later white haired color
man came into view.
D'yo call, Marse Kunn'l? ? he ask,
ID stopping at the edge Of the bushes al
scraping with one foot while he finger
battered straw hat.
Yes, said the Colonel. You knt
those pistols of mine in my dressi
case9 Fetch them to me-
Yo' dewelin Distilsi
Yes. Be quick
y The colored man looked al the IN
men in turn. He noted the attitude