The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-05-11
RESULT OF A FLOOD.

boys huntin' our hogs ag'in."
John Hartweil, who was busily ham
mering at some piece of buyish car
pentry in his fathers workshop, turn
ed a pair OF kindling blue eyes toward
the excited young darkey who rushed
IN with the above information.
What's that you say. Tom Pete ~
. Pete repeated his statement,
adding the remark hat the Pelton
boy was "a-heavin' sticks at 'em an
maxim 'em run like dc ole Nick 7"
John put down his hammer and ex-
claimed:
I'm see If can't put a stop to this
business, once for all !"
AS he spoke, he strobe out OF the
workshop and started across the corn
held, with such an air OF angry deter-
mlnatlOn that Tom Pete, running after
him, kicked up his heels and grinned
IN high glee at the prospect of a COLI
sion, which was sure to bring the Pol
ton boy to grief.
Joan Hartw,ll and Tracy Pelton
were 1Ies OF long standing, though
neither OF them could tell exactly how
thoir feud had first arisen.
The Peltons owned a small planta-
ton on the Sunlower River, aud the
dartWells d come from the North
some years before and settled on the
next place.
Tracy and John, who we're nearly of
the same age, became acquainted and
were peaceable enough for a time,
though they had occasional Disagree
ments, like all neighbors' bows.
But some difficulty more serious
than usual had led tt ill-feeling be-
tween them, which had broken out at
last into open warfare; so they were
now declared and downright enemies.
was a pity, for they were both hne
boys, each in his way.
John was a stout, young athlete,
quick-tempered, quick-wittcd and
merry, always ready for work or play,
ana throwing himself into both with
equal energy; while Tracy was OF a
quieter disposition and did not got
angry or enthusiastic in q moment, but
was slow to alter his opinions after
they were formed.
obstinate as q mule ~ John said,
not stopping to think that Tracy's
aHectlon was even more deep and last
ing than his wrath that he could be q
very constant friend as well as an
obstinate enemy.
John was In an exceedingly belli-
gerent frame of mind when he reached
the edge OF the field which bordered
ON the Pelton place, and beheld his
ather's fine drove OF hogs rushing pell-
NELL through a corn-stubble, pursued
oy a slender, dark-eyed boy, who was
vigorously pelting them with sticks,
clOds OF earth, or whateye, he could
lay his hand ON.
You stop that, Tracy Pelton %
shoute John, peremptorily.
Mind your W business and keep
your hogs at home" retorted Tracy.
as he bombarded the hogs with q liyeIv
shower Of cornstalks.
II should think this was nv busi.
ness, and Ill attend to it in earnest II
you don't look out - cried John, bristl.
Ing with wrath and resolution. "U
you mt one OF those hogs again III hit
your
Accepting this as a challenge, Tracy
promptly threw Il short stick, which
took the largest Of the hogs behind
the ear and sent the whole drove
s%currying unanimously toward their
premises.
John snatched up the stick and hurl-
ed 1T back at Tracy, striking him on
the shoulder with force enough to
make him very angry, If it did not hunt
him much.
He flew at John with doubled fists.
and John, nothing loath. received him
In the game manner.
The result was that Tracy got
whipped, as usual for the two bows
mad had several battles already, and.
though Tracy invariably came out
second best, he never shrank from a
fresh encounter with his stronger foe. !
AS for John, though he returned
nome after the battle flushed with
triumph and greatly admired by Tom
Pete, yet he was perfectly aware that
his victory had not settled ANYTHING.
1t was quite certain that Tracy was
still determined to chase the hogs and
otherwise annoy his enemy Whenever
he got a chance.
However, during the DAYS that fol-
lowed neither OF the boys had anv time
waste in fruitless hostilities. Thev
were sufficiently occupied with the
which was now demanding
attention-that of SAVING
their persons and property from ds.
'tructton by the waters of the river.
which, after rising rapidly for three
lays, had over-iowed Its banks and was
'ast %innndating the whole region.
Water from other streams poured in
20 swell the torrent. cattle we're drown.
I'd and buildings we're swept away,
And still the food rose higher day by
Peonle yera ohlioad 20