The Press., 1899-12-21

<AIN@-S y them TO that de-
gree. Tiger Tail
is Tennessee ter
ritory, yet abuts upon Kentucky. 1t Is
not, of course. down on any maps, not
even the local ones. To be exact, it's
metes and bounds are known accurate
~ only by outland folk. who. say those
of Tiger Tail. live in such Ill condi-
toned regions as Postum hollow.
Wildcat. Texas and the Cooney range
Still the Tiger. Tailers do not quite
deny that Tiger Tail exists. They are
nebulous only as to it's wherea bouts.
"Howdy, squire? Want to play
Take my hand" Jim Wilson, the store
keeper, said. making as If to rise from
the table. The other three players
laughed uproariously. He's beauty
boy; that's what Jimmy is" one Of
them said. Hes just nine under the
table, squire. OF course he wants to
be polite"
The squire laughed. I'm play and
pay If lose out. Jimmy" he said,
but eff beat them rascals over thar
you must do me little small favor
Anything you say, squire" Jim
said. handing over the cards. The
squire chuckled. but masked 1t with a
scowl as he; answered: Better not
promise too brash. son. What want
Is for you to thrash Tennessee. Think
you can do it?'
why. that Is sorter jubous." Jim
responded. The others let fall their
cards. looking significantly one at the
ner in the game. whistled and said.
still pursuing his lips:
80 suppose Tennessee's mind Is
set on Milam's gall
The squire nodded. And mine as set
that he SHAFT have her. reckoned
I'd find that gentleman here and come
just a-purpose to give him the word
with the bark on It,"
Il always said that boyd give you
trouble ever sence you went and give
him that Biography name" an oldish
man. who had just come in. said
| shrilly.
The squire looked at him and
:huckled again. sit had to be Biography
or 'rithmetic." he said Blame
your skin. Bill Jordan. you know that
as we'll as me. Seben brothers Of us.
all in one poor neighborhoed. and the
last one of us too lazy to move out.
would put old man Solomon 10 his
trumps for names. ! didn't start as
soon as the rest Of you neither. Time
I begun to raise a family you had dou-
bled and tribbled on all the handy
Scripcher names"
Don't you reckon this Is sorter a
Judgment on you. squire? Remember
how many runaway couples you've
married. another Of the cinch play
ers began.
The squire silenced him with look.
''Do you think I'm goin to belittle my
Office by not dom what I was 'lected to
doT he asked severely. II have mar
ried runaways-oh, yes, twenty-seben
| couple-but every last one Of 'em come
from Kentucky. Up thar they have to
have written consents from the par
ents before they can git a license. Is
1t my fault that happen to live on
the straight road from Kentucky to
BeIlsboro? OF course mines a handy
place to them young folks. All they
got to do is to have the license waitin
for 'em, and they're married hard and
fast, as well as a preacher could do 1t.
eff do say it myself. time they've been
half an hour on Tennessee dirt"
"S'posin your Tennessee should run
away the squire's brother began.
"Where'd he run tor the squire in
terrupted pointedly. II hear old man
Milam's about as shy as I am over the
match. That's one thing makes me
90 mad. Thinkin Of that old kildee.
mighty nigh as mean as a horse thief
be is DARN to object to bis gals mar
, irwin n Jordan"