Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-02-17


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. I cannot
have you quarreling all the time. You
must settle your troubles somewhere
else"
.All want is to win you.' whispered
the Englishman behind the scenes a
few minutes later. will you give me
the answer"
mo. this is warfare that you must
settle with Mr.. Borden. I would like
to see how this contest of the rival
powers comes out"
''Wen. it will be different to that OF
the days of 1776," was the sententious
answer. But would it?
ST don't like to see that Engtishman
around you so much" whispered Bor-
den a 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 I must make this national af
fair?"
mo, just a personal affair. but be pa
triotic in it,
Thus the matter stood when Wash
ington's birthday dawned-an armed
truce between the opposing forces,
each of which was intent on winning
- u
| be done.
Soft blew the southern breeze and
! the night was dark. From miles of
plain came the breath of spring that
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 we'll 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, eve will present the great drama
of the time of Washington, as is most
appropriate on this occasion"
The curtain rolled up (again a sheet
on pole) and the simple incidents that
| had been chosen to give 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
CORVALLIS occurred. Then as the
two rivals came on the little stage there
was a 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 a
man as the rest of us. but you are not
so brave"
CORVALLIS colored. and the store
keeper remarked to his wife: "Blest
if l don't think Borden struck home
| that time
But Glade responded. with due cour-
| tesy: cit remains to be proved as to
| that and then went on with his set
| speech.
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 chance for some more repair
tee, which was likely to be given, when
suddenly there was a sound from the
1 outside OF the house that caused the
heart of every auditor to sink with an
ill-defined fear. 1t was a whinny OF ter
ror from score of horses throats.
Quickly the people rushed from their
What they saw was something that is
never without its message of alarm for
the ranchman and the settier-the
prairie was on fire.
In an instant almost the house was
emptied. The women were crying and
the men were trying to calm the fright
ened horses. One by one the wagons
were hurrying of. the owners anxious
to get home or at least out of the reach
of the danger.
!, It was high timei
!, Like sea of flame the onyushins
blaze was sweeping across the dry sod
, licking up the long grass of the rayines
and making quick work of the crist
: covering of the higher lands. The wind
: had risen and was bringing the attack
ing army onward with rapid pace
5 There was no chance for the school
4 1s>rz r.