The Holly chieftain., 1898-02-18

NsVTV[A settlers had de-
| vN cided that II ought
~ to be done. aud
| the method OF its
carrying out was left to committee
consisting of the storekeeper. the teach
er. and one of the leading cattleiaen
who, rumor said, had once owned a IL
| brary.
of course II 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 Virginians always will stand BY
| him."
mighty nice thing to be honoring
the leader of revolution" broke in a
gruff voice from the rear of the store
1t wns the Englishman who was over
seeing the fencing of the Olympic Cat.
| tie company's new lands. He had been
| a farmer over in the Cimmarron coun'
try, and was always objecting to what
ever was on foot.
Flush up, you go; 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 aud also the sunken lines OF
the Cimmarron. 1t was all the concep
tion of the pretty school mistress. wht
thought to thus raise enough money to
buy 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
Lizzie Dean-and the Ei.g!ishmar
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 Britishers oul
of their boots" he declared as hi
pranced around with a stick for Il
sword, and cast ugly looks at Glade.
"And you shall be CORVALLIS" turn
ing to Glade. This, too. seemed salts
factory.
Night nfter night they met at the
schoolhouse preparing the rendition oi
the play. The half-dozcn actors were
determined that there should be nc
ground for criticism. Spring was earl,
on the prairie. and the gray and brown
grasses were dry as finder. The clos.
curling buffalo grass was, like that oi
the blue stem, crinkling in the breeze
and the cattle were nibbling 1t away te
get at the tiny spears of green be
| meath.
One night the play was nearly over
when BORDEN remarked, in tones tha'
came to the ears OF the entire com
pany: "If had my way, I'd order
every one Of these red coats off the sol
of America"
"Mliybe you can't do any better thar
did your first president at that" was
the sneer that came from back in the
flies (curtnins strung on pieces oi
twine) somewhere.
Borden grew angry. "Well, car
try. the same as he did. He won in the
crd. I believe"
The Englishman came out in the
middle of the room. 81 would not ad
wise thee to try it." he drawled. The
words were not more than out of his
mouth. when there came crash Of
scenery. and along with the flies and
nearly everything portable came Bor
den from the stage which he left with
leap. He made straight for the throat
Of his adversary, but what net his
grasp when he reached out was+Miss
Deans hand.
"There, there, let this stop right
here. The man you represent would
never have fought in the presence of o
woman"
Borden, abashed, stood back. and
then went TO the stnge. But 1t did
not mean the end Of the trouble-every.
body knew that The men had figh,
after the evenings practice was over
but 1t settled nothing. except that they
were both very much in love with
Lizzie.
The school did not amount to much
those days. for all the scholars were
practicing for their parts in the com
ing drama. The work on the rancho.
suffered likewise. for there wos the
Same interest among the older people
On the night before the festal day there
was a final practicing at the school
house, and again the two representa-.
tives Of the opposing sides In the revo.
luton had their warfare Of words.
In his speech the American took palm
| to insert few words rejecting on tbs
Englishmen who came out to the wesi
to run cattle ranches, and the EnglIsh.
man said some cutting things that
| pointed at frontier manners.
"See here, gentlemen" said Lizzie
.this has gone far enough. l cannot
have you quarreling all the time. You
must settle your troubles somewhere
| elee."
sAll l want IL to win you," whispered
the EngiIshman behind the scenes I
| few minutes later. "Will you give me
| the answer?"
"No. this II warfare that ron must
settls with Mr.. Borden. would like
| 10 zee how this contest Of the rival
| poWosu comss out.~ &