Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-03-10
TWO CITIES.

TWO CITIES.
For some time Badgertown had en-
tertained the most peryerse antagonism
toward Alkali City. and, on the other
hand, Alkali City had looked upon
Badgertown with supreme contempt.
Each town regarded the other as i
trespasser and menace TO the prosper
ity of Cactus county. and each claimed
tho sovereign right TO become the coun-
ty seat when the new county should DO
organized. ''.Iist ter think. oxclaim-
ed Nathan Skidmorc, the mayor of Al
kali City, INV 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 TN 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
il. Badgertown.
Why, :" he continued, getting warm
ed up with the subject, 1.-THE mayor NV
Badgertown has had the gall ter actual
ly ask strangers ter come thar an meek
thar homes; had a circular printed,
which sez that the town is on the eve
Nv great boom finest location ON
Coyote prairie, rich SOIL fine water,
Italyon elimant, an the only live city in
Cactus county, Blame take the emery
cuss. 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 look of incredulity upon
the speaker, ken ye produce that cir
cularf"
"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 "a thoughtful coun-
tenance.
I'm be hanged, y he broke forth, ''if
it amt enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter tho pen tentiary-hit
just is-er IN a liar an don know my
own namel" And he shook his fist in
the direction of the despised city.
THE correct thing ter do, accordin
ter my Judgment, pursued the mayor,
''is ter call lneetin 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 difficulty"
This, and Nathan Sllidmore tapped
six shooter that hung at his side.
Barondollar nodded his approval of
the mayors method, and the two sep
arated for the night, Barondollar go
ing to his cabin, fhsrt distance away.
The next day at an early hour
meeting of the Alkali City board of
trade was called, and its members as
sembled 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, I'VE 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 circular
which reflects on the good nv this city,
an 10 am honored by bein the chief
magistrate nv tho same 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
te1s NV Cactus county -
How shall this be Accomplishment"
continued the official when the enthus-
iasm had subsidized
81 cant 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 il they
don't 'pologize an meek amends for
their conduct meek an example out ov
EN-
My Idly egzactly," chimed in Bill
Barondollar, ald 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 Alkali City and gallop-
ed 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 heavy six shooter
that protruded from under his loose
coat.
Ye air ter do nothin without orders
from me, said the mayor in voice of
command. I'm the commander NV this
company, an ! II give the orders at the
right time
A cluster Of miserable little shanties
scattered about the wind swept prairie
were all the indications of n town to be
seen. In front of one of the shanties a
little crowd of lnen was collected con-
versing III low tones.
The meH from Alkali City approach
cd. The mayor was tho first to speak.
Stepping to this front OF the crowd, be
said:
''Geat,efnen of Badgertown, We see
before We com,aitty NV citizens NV
Alkali City, appointed t'y the board nv
trade ter investigate the lyin an Sian
'rous stories ye have been circulatin
regardin our city, an ter ask we ter
'poligize in fifth manner or suffer the
consequences which means that we
intend to tear down this dilapidated
chicken ranch, scatter its ricketty hem
roosts ter the four winds, an administer
sich chast.selnent ter the defamers NV
our city as Yiill sarye as lastin warnin
ter all like offenders in the f'sture.
Bring out yer mayor an council tiast we
may feast our eyes on the biggest liars
that ever issued real estate circular or
laid out a town -
The sound of a woman weeping Bit
terly came from within the building.
and the MAYOR taausa1 and cast a attee-