Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-01-11
TWO CITIES.

TWO CIIlES.
For some time Badgertown had en-
tertained the most perverse antagonism
toward Alkali City, and, on the other
hand, AIkali City had looked upon
Badgertown with supreme contempt.
Each town regarded the other as a
trespasser and a menace to the prosper
ity of Cactus county, and each claimed
the sovereign right to become the coun-
ty seat when the new county should be
organized. "Jist ter think, :" exclaim-
ed Nathan Skidmore, the mayor of Al
kali City, NV town Nv only "a in
habitants claimin the right ter the coun-
ty seat over city Nv nearly 100 popu-
lationl Hits preposterous'
Hits outrageous an deserves the
contempt Nv every intelligent squatter
on Coyote prairie, !" observed Bill Baron
dollar, muscular six footer from Mis-
souri, who had cast his fortunes with
Alkali City. Seems ter ME, he went
on, "that hits nothin better AN con-
fidence game ter git strangers ter stop
in Badgertown.
why" he continued, getting warm
ed up with the subject, the mayor Nv
Badgertown has had the gall ter actual
ly ask strangers ter come thar an meek
thar homes; had circular printed,
which sez that the town is on the eve
NV a great boom-finest location ON
Coyote prairie, rich soil, fine water,
Italyon climant, an the only live city in
Cactus county, Blame take the onery
cussl Hain'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 a look of incredulity upon
the speaker. "ken ye produce that cir
cular?''
"Hyar it is, responded Barondollar,
drawing out greasy, well worn docu-
ment from his pocket and handing it to
the mayor.
Nathan Skidmore took the paper and
read it through with thoughtful coun-
tenance.
"I'll be hanged" he broke forth, If
it amt enough to send every cuss in
ter the pen tentiary-hit
just is-er I'm liar an don t 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,
ter call a 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. e
Nathan" said Barondollar, "by
what method would ye perpose ter set
tie the difficulty?''
This, and. Nathan Skidmore tapped
q six shooter that hung at his side.
Barondollar nodded his approval Of
the mayors 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 q
meeting of the Alkali City board of
trade was called, and its members as
sembled in Bill Barondollar cabin.
The mayor was the first to address
the meeting. t@
"Feller citizens an members NV the
board Nv trade" he began, 1--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 am honored by bein the chief
Nv the same feel that, in
justice ter myself an worthy feller citi-
zens, some action should be taken at
once ter vindicate ourselves in the eyes
nv the world an the intelligent squat
ters Nv Cactus county," Ha m
How shall this be accomplished"
continued the official when the enthus-
iasm had subsided.
II can't meek no speech" ;" said Jim
Budlow, 'but I'm hyar ter say that
indorse every word our honorable mayor
hev sed, an i think we orter form our
selves inter an investigation committy
an ride over to Badgertown, an If they
don't 'pologize an meek amends for
their conduct meek an example out ov
'em."
"My idy egzactly," chimed in Bill
Barondollar, and this opinion was speed
lily ratified by the entire crowd. Then
the meeting adjourned.
A half hour later delegation OF
armed and mounted men, headed by
the mayor, left Alkali City and gallop-
ed swiftly toward Badgertown.
Boys" says Barondollar, IF they
don't do the square thing
Fix 'em go 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.
eye air ter do nothin without orders
from me, said the mayor in a 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 to be
seen. In front of one of the shanties a
little crowd of men was collected con-
versing in low tones.
The men from Alkali City approach
ed. 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 slam
d'rous stories ye have been circulatin
regardin our city, an ter ask ye ter
'poligize in a fittin manner er suffer the
consequences-wb means that we
intend to tear down this dilapidated
chicken ranch, scatter its ricketty hen
roosts ter the four winds, an administer
sich chastisement ter the defamers nv
our city as will sarve as lastin warnin
ter all like offenders in the futurei
Bring out yer mayor an council. that we
may feast our eyes on the biggest liars
that ever issued real estate circular OF
laid out town.
The sound of a 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 hoss and killed this mornin. +"
The men from Alkali City exchanged
swift glances, but none Of them spoke.