Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-10-01
A RESULT OF A FLOOD.
By FANNIE WILLIAMS.

hi, Marse John! Dat ar Pelto boys
buutin' our hogs agin."
John Hartwell, who was busily ham
mering at some piece of boyish carpcn-
try in his fathers workshop, turned
pair of kindling blue eyes toward the
excited young darkey who rushed in
with the above information.
"Whtt's that you say, Tom Peter?
Tom Pete repeated his statement, add
ing the remark that the Pelton boy was
'a-heavn' sticks at em, an maxim 'cm
run like de ole Nick!"
John put down his hammer and eX-
claimed:
'lll see If can't put stop to this
business, once for ALL"
AS he spoke, he strode out Of the
workshop and started across the corn
field, with such an air of angry de-
termination that Tom Pete, running
after him, kicked up his heels and
grinned. in high glee at the prospect of
q collision which was sure to bring the
Peton hoy to grief.
John Hartwell and Tracy Pelton were
foes of long standing, though neither
of them could tell exactly how their
feud had first arisen.
The Peltons owned small plantation
on the Sunfower river, and the Hart
wells had come from the north some
years before and settled on the next
place.
Tracy and John, who were nearly Of
the same age, became acquainted ard
were rcaceabe enough for time,
though they had occasional disagree
ments, like all neighbors' boys.
But some difficulty more serious than
usual had led to ill-feeling between
them, which had broken out at last irto
open warfare; so they were now de-
clared ana downright enemies. twas O
pity, for they were both fine boys, each
in his way.
John was stout young athlete, quick
tempered. quick-wittcd and merry, al
ways ready for work or play, and
throwing himself into both with equal
energy; while Tracy was of quieter
disposition and did not get angry or
tutuuSluslic III u lilOiHSHt, Oue was S'e"
to alter his opinions after they were
formed.
"Obstinate as a mule!" John said, not
stopping to think that Tracy's affection
was even more deep and lasting than his
wrath; that he could be n very con-
slant friend as well as an Obstinate
enemy.
John was in an exceedingly belliger-
ent frame of mind when he reached the
edge Of the field which bordered on the
Pelton place, and beheld his fathers
fine drove of hogs rushing pell-mcll
through the corn-stubble, pursued by
aslender, dark-eyed boy, who was vigcr-
ously pelting them with sticks, clods
of earth, or whatever he could lay his
hand on.
"You stop that, Tracy Pelton!" shout
ed John, peremptorily.
"Mind your own business and keep
your hogs ut home!" retorted Tracy, as
he bombarded the hogs with lively
shower of cornstalks.
81 should think this was my business,
and I'll attend to it in earnest if you
don't look out!" cried John, bristling
with wrath and resolution. 'If you hit
one of those hogs again III hit you'll"
Accepting this as a challenge, Tracy
promptly threw short stick, which
took the largest of the hogs behind the
ear and sent the whole drove scurrying
tumultuously toward their owners
premises.
John snatched up the stick and hurled
IL back at Tracy, striking him on the
shoulder with force enough to make
him very angry, II 1t did not hurt him
much.
He few at John with doubled fists,
and John, nothing loath, received him
in the same manner.
The result was that Tracy got
whipped, as usual; for the two boys had
had several battles already, and, though
Tracy invariably came out second best,
he never shrank from n fresh encounter
with his stronger foe.
AS for John, though he returned
home after the battle flushed with tri-
umph and greatly admired by Tom
Pete, yet he was perfectly aware that
his victory had not settled anything.
II was quite certain that Tracy was
still determined to chase the hogs and
otherwise annoy his enemy whenever
he got n chance.
However, during the days that fol-
lowed neither of the boys had any time
to waste in fruitless hostilities. They
were sufficiently occupied with the bust
ness which was now demanding every
body's attention-that of saving their
persons and property from destruction
by the waters of the river, which, after
rising rapidly for three days, had over
flowed its banks and was fast inundat-
ing the whole region.
Water from other streams poured in
to swell the torrent, cattle were
drowned and buildings were swept
away. And still the flood rose higher
day by day.
People were obliged to move into the
upper stories Of their houses; then, as
the water crept up higher, to take
refuge on the roofs; and, at last, they
were forced to flee for their lives to the
high ground, at distance of many
miles.
Mr.. Hartwell had built sort OF fat
boat, or scow, as he called it, which
proved extremely useful to himself and
bis neighbors in this perilous time.
1t was constantly III use, conveying
people to the hills, picking up valuable
floating property and taking Off the
sheep and cattle which were huddled
in crowds wherever some bit of high
ground formed tiny island in the very
midst Of the flood
One day, when Mr.. IIartwell had
tnl,nrn off n number, of cnftln as many