The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

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 ranches
suffered likewise, for there was the
same interest among the older people.
On the night before the festal day there
was 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 pains
10 insert a few words rejecting on the
! Englishmen who came out to the west
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 somewE ere
else
"All l want Is to win you" whispered
the Eng,ishman behind the scenes a
few minutes later. will you give me
the answer?'
NO, this is warfare that you must
settle with Mr.. Borden. l would like
TO see how this contest of the rival
powers comes out"
Well, it will be different to that of
| the days of 1776." was the sententious
| answer. But would it?
II don't like to see that Englishman
around you so much" whispered Bor-
| den few minutes later.
why, he behaves himself" replied
Miss Dean, with well-feigned astonish-
ment.
But It amt patriotic. don't you see,
was the retort. you ought to stand
up for your country. and - Washing
toni" This last proudly, for Borden
was really elated at the character he
was taking in the play.
! $50 / must make this a national af-
fair3"
NO, just a personal affair, but be pa
| triotic in it,"
Thus the matter stood when Wash
ingtons birthday dawned-an armed
truce between the opposing forces.
each of which was intent on winning
the prize and confident that it could
| be done.
| Soft blew the southern breeze and
| the night was dark. From miles of
plain came the breath of spring thas
was giving the first earnest of its glory.
The settlers rode in from their claims
| in wagons; the ranchmen came on
horseback, and the line of ponies that
! fringed the schoolhouse yard was for
midable. The Englishman came in all
! the glory of his best clothes. while
Borden made his appearance in the
! frontier dress that SO well became
| him.
mo reserved seats; come right in"
welcomed the storekeeper as he took
/ the tickets at the door. The crowd
obeyed and filled the front seats, the
back seats, and overfowed the aisles.
Now, ladies and gentlemen" an
nounced the storekeeper, when all was
| ready, 1--WE will present The great drama
of the time of Washington, as is most
appropriate on this occasion"
| The curtain rolled up (again sheet
on a pole), and the simple incidents that
had been chosen to give a representa-
ton of the life of the first president
were one after another called forth.
There was nothing but peace until the
act where the meeting of the hero and
Cornwallis occurred. Then as the
two rivals came on the little stage there
was howl of delight from the men
present, for each knew how matters
stood.
Borden looked daggers at Glade. and
as his turn came to speak all realized
that he was putting strange senti-
ments into the mouth of Washington
when he said: you may be as good
man as the rest of us, but you are not
so brave.
/ Cornwallis colored, ard the store
keeper remarked to bis wife: ''Best
Il don't think Borden struck home
tnat time"
But Glade responded, with due cour-
tesy: at remains to he proved rs 10
that-" ard tben went on with his set
sr~ecL.
The play was long and the audience
was evidently weary when the final act
came. The rivals were on the stage and
there was a chgqce for some more rePar-