The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-01-19
A TALE OF Two CITIES.
Badgertown, AIkaIi City and the
County Seat Contest

For some time BadGcrtown had en-
tertained the most perve-se antagon-
ism toward AlkaH City, and. on the
other hand. AlllaH City had looked
upon Badgertowu with the supremest
contempt
Each town regarded the other as a
trespasser and a menace TO the pros
perity of Cactus county, and each
claimed the sovereign right TO become
the county seat when the new county
should be organized.
''Jist ter think" exclaimed Nathan
Skidmore, the mayor OF Alllali CITY, ''uv
town OF only scventy-four inha bi.auts
claimin' the right ter the county seat
over city NV nearly a hundred popu-
lation- Hits prePosterous.'
Hits outrageous an deserves the
contempt NV every intelligent squattcr
on Coyote Prairie, observed Bill Bar
oudollar, a muscular siN-footcr from
Missouri. who had east his fortunes
with Alkali City. seems ter me" he
went on, that hits nothin' better an
confidence game ter git strangers ter
stop in Badgertown.
why" he continued, getting
warmed up with the subject. q" the
mayor NV Badgertown has had the gall
ter actually ask strangers ter come thar
an meek thar homes. Had circular
printed, which SCI that the town Is on
the eve Nv great boom-fincst loca-
ton on Coyote Prairie, rich soil, fine
water, Italyon cIiIuant. an the only
live city in Cactus county, Blame take
the onery cuss. Hain't AlkaIi City in
Cactus county? Hang my looks if it
amt a downright insult ter"
~.
moving the cob pipe from his mouth
and fixing look Of incrcdulity upon
the speaker, ken ye produce that cir
cular?"
''Hyar it is" responded BarondolIar,
drawing out greasy, well-worn docu-
Inent from his pocket, and handing il
70 the mayor
Nathan Slidmore took the paper and
read it through with a thoughtful coun-
tenauce.
TN be hanged,' he broke forth. If
it amt enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter the pen tentiary-hit
just is-er I'm a liar an don't know my
own name,' and he shook his fist in
the direction Of the despised city.
THE correct thing ter do, accordin'
ter my judgment" pursued the mayor.
us ter call II msctin' nv the board nv
trade NV Allzah City an provide meas
ures fer the abatement Nv public noos-
ance, an ! think"
"Badgertown would come under that
head" broke in Barondollar.
Nathan" said Barondollar, ''by
what method would ye perpose ter set
tie the diliculty?'
This" and Nathan Sllidmore tapped
a siz-shooter that hung at his side
Barondollar nodded his approval Of
the mayors method" and the two
separated for the night Barondollar
going to his cabin, a short distance
away.
The next day, at an early hour, a
meeting of the Alllali board Of trade
was called, and its members assembled
in Bin BarondoIlar's cabin.
The mayor was the first 10 address
the meeting.
''Fcllcr citizens an members Nv the
board NV trade" he began. I've hey
met fer the consideration NV "a ques-
tion which Is NV the most vital impor-
tauce for every citizen OF Ali5ali City.
Badgertown, il seems. hcv issued a cir
cUlar which reflects on the good Nv this
city, an. as ! am honored by bcin' the
chief magistrate NV the same, l feel
that, in justice ter myself and worthy
feller citizens, some action should be
taken at once ter vindicaJe ourselves in
the eyes of the world an the intelli-
gent squatters Of Cactus county.
How shall this be accomplished?'
continued the official, when the eDthu-
siasm had subsided.
Il can't meek no speech, 9" said Jim
Budlow, but I'm hyar ter say that !
indorse every word our honorable
mayor hev sed, an l think we orter
form ourselves inter an investigatin
committy an ride over 10 Badgcrtown,
an if they don't 'pologize an meek
amends for their conduct, meek an cX-
ample ont ov en-"
My idy, egzactly," chimed in Bill
Barondollar, and this opinion was
speedily ratified 10y the entire crowd.
Then the meeting adjourned
\ half hour later a delegation of
armed and mounted men, headed by
the mayor, lett Alllali 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
r. y
that protruded from under his loose
coat
''Yc air ter do nothin' without orders
from me" said the mayor, in voice OF
command I'm the commander NV
this company, an I'll give the orders at
the right time"
4 cluster Of miserable little shanties
scattered about the wind-swept prairie
,x,.-.. all the iu.licaffons oF 9. town l., br
seen. IN front Of one of these shanties
little crowd of men were collected,
convcrsing in low tones
The men from Alllali City APP
preached. The mayor was the first to
speak Stepping TO the front of the
crowd he said:
Gentlemen of Badgertown. We see
before We committy NV citizens NV
All1ali City, appointed by the board NV
trade ter investigate the lynn an