The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18


NIv.,@a~IA settlers had de-
aA cided that it ought
~ to be done, and
the method of its
carrying out was left TO a committee
consisting of the storekeeper, the teach
er and one of the leading cattleIaen
who, rumor said, had once owned Ii
brary.
"Of course IT amt proving nothing
about our honesty that we do this sort
of thing" remarked Borden, the rancho
foreman, 'but it's the right thing to
do"
Yes, Washington was a fine old
gentleman" added the storekeeper, IAN
we Nirginians always will stand by
him"
Mighty nice thing to be honoring
the leader of a revolution" broke in a
gruff voice from the rear of the store.
1t was the Englishman who was over
seeing the fencing of the Olympic Cat
tie company's new lands. He had been
farmer over in the Cimmarron coun-
try. and was always objecting to what
ever was on foot.
Hush up, you got too badly licked
TO talk was the rejoinder from Bor-
den; and Glade, the foreigner, sub
sided.
The celebration was TO take place in
The schoolhouse out on the edge of
the tiny settlement. From its door
could be seen the haze that covered
The tops of the Spanish peaks off to
the west and also the sunken lines of
the Cimmarron. 1t was all the concep-
lion of the pretty school mistress, who
thought to thus raise enough money to
buy a flag for the buildings roof
There were other inducements for the
two men who helped in the prepara-
tions-Borden and Grade. The cattle
man thought there was no one like
Llzzie Dean-and the Euglishman
thought the same.
You are to be Washington" said the
director to Borden, and the part fit
ted him well.
All right, I'll lick the Britis!lers out
OF their boots" he declared as he
pranced around with a stick for II
sword and cast ugly looks at Glade.
And you shall be Corvallis" turn
ing to Glade. This, too, seemed salts
factory.
Night after night they met at the
tchoolhouse preparing the rendition of
.he play. The half-dozen actors were
determined that there should be no
ground for criticism. Spring was early
On the prairie, and the gray and brown
grasses were dry as tinder. The close
fn
'he oiue stem, crinkling in the breeze
anu the cattle were nibbling it away to
get at the tiny spears of green be-
meath
ohe night the play was nearly over
"hen Borden remarked. in tones thai
'"ne 10 the ears of the entire com
F"ny' II | had my way, I'd order
very one of these red coats off the soil
OF America"
Mhybe you can't do any better than
uiu your first president at that" was
s cue sheer that came from back in the
'es curtains strung on pieces of
Wlne) somewhere.
borden grew angry. "WeI. I can
~, me same as he did. He won in the
end. | believe"
me Engishman came out in the
middle of the room. IL would not ad-
e thee to try it," he drawIed The
morus were not more than out of his
aou'h when there came a crash of
"ery' and along with the flies and
a. everything portable came Bor-
from the stage which he left with
cap lie made straight for the throat
ms adversary, but What net his
lisp when he reached out was-Miss
bsni mere there, let this stop right
re- ne man you represent would
Woman"
.ba" o'ueh' abashed. stood back, ard
nn. .n went TO the stage. But Il did
boa, "'san the end of the trouble-eyery-
pf,c. Knew that. The men had fight
bn, !, me evenings practice was over.
" settled nothing, except that hey