The Republican., 1898-02-17

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. 1 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?"
''No, this is a 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 1916" was the sententious
answer. But would it?
81 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 ain't 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 1 must make this national af-
fair?"
"No, just 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
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 thai
was giving the first earnest fits 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 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 be 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 | don't think Borden struck home
that time"
But Glade responded, with due cour-
tesy: "It 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
outside of the house that caused the
heart of every auditor to sink with an
ill-delned fear. 1t was a whinny of ter
ror from a score of horses throats.
Quickly the people rushed from theil
seats and to the windows and doors
What they saw was something that is
never without its message of alarm fol
the ranchman and the settler-the
prairie was on fire.
In an instant almost the house wa:
emptied. The women were crying ant
the men were trying to calm the fright
ened horses. One by one the wagons
were hurrying off, the owners anxious
to get home or at least out of the reacl
of the danger.
1t was high timei
Like sea of flame the onyushin!
blaze was sweeping across the dry sod
licking up the long grass of the ravine
and making quick work of the crisl
covering of the higher lands. The wint
had risen and was bringing the attack
ing army onward with rapid pace
There was no chance for the school
house to escape. In scrambling, push