The Forrest City times., 1894-02-02

form ourselves inter an investigatin' committy an ride over to Badgertown, an if they don't 'pologize an meek amends for their conduct. meek an ex- ample out ov 'em."
 My idy, egzactly." chimed in Bill Barondollar, and this opinion was speedily ratified by the entire crowd. Then the meeting adjourned.
 A half hour later delegation of armed and mounted men, headed by the mayor, left Alkal. City and galloped swiftly toward Badgertown.
 Boys" says Barondollar, ''if they don't do the square thing"
 Fix 'em so they'll wish they had" broke in Joe Budlow, jerking his hand in the direction of a heavy six-shooter that protruded from under his loose coat
 'sIe air ter do nothin' without orders from me-" said the mayor, in voice of command. "Fm the commander uv this company, an I'll give the orders at the right time"
 A cluster of miserab ble little shanties scattered about the wind-swept prairie
 
 seen. In front of one of these shanties a little crowd of men were collected, conversing in low tones.
 The men from Alllali City ap- preached. The mayor was the first to speak. Stepping to the front of the crowd he said:
 ''Gentlemen of Badgertown, ye see before ye committy nv citizens nv Alkali City, appointed by the board nv trade ter investigate the lyin' an sland'r 'rous stories ye have been circu- latin regardin' our city, an ter ask ye ter 'pologize in fittin' manner CT suffer the consequences-whic means that we intend to tear down this dilapidated chicken ranch, scatter it's rickety henroosts ter the four winds, an ad- minister sich chastisement ter the de- famers uv our city as will sarve as a lastin' warnin' ter all like offenders in the future. Bring out yer mayor an council that we may feast our eyes on the biggest liars that ever issued real estate circular or laid out a town" The sound of woman weeping bit terly came from within the building, and the mayor paused and cast a 4ues- tioning glance at the men before him. Hits the mayor of Radgertown in thar" said one of the men, nodding toward the shanty. ''He was throwed from his hoss and killed this mornin'. !" The men from Alkali City exchanged swift glances. but none of them spoke. One of the strangers standing near by AL l., and said:
 .''It'll be hard on his poor wife an children. They haint got hardly nothin' 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 'I hain't got much ter give, but I'm goin' ter give all can ter help the pore widder an family uv little children, an know yell do the same"
 The marshal took off his hat. and dropping several pieces of silver into it proceeded to make financial tour through the crowd. and for some time the clinking of falling coin was the only sound that broke the stiffness. While this was going on the chief of Alkali City and his followers were con- versing in low tones. From all appearances, said the mayor, "I-I reckon we hev-"
 Made big fools of ourselves" fin | ished Bill Barondollar That's whatever!' agreed the mayor with an emphatic nod of the head. II see that them fellers over thar air gettin' up a little puss for the pore family, an when it comes to that l low Alkali City ain't broke, is she, boys?"
 Not by jugful" responded Baron dollar, "an' if we can't give more 'an them fellers gives, I'm in favor uv us walkin' back ter town an gettin' our names changed" and this sentiment was ratified by the entire delegation.
 "I'll jist open the subscription with a few of these," said the mayor, taking of his hat and dropping a handful of silver into it.
 ! His example was followed by all the others, and his hat soon resembled the specie vault of small savings bank.
 Now" said the magistrate, we'll See how them other fellers air succeedin' an ef we hain't doubled 'em we'll meek another assessment" | With this he approached the crowd of Badgertown citizens. and said: | "Gentlemen, l see ye have been takin up leetle collection fer the pore widder an children. How much have ye got?'
 "'Bout twenty-five dollars" was the | rarly