Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1901-08-01

IL
Boys, don't shoot. for Gods sake!"
and for good reason. When he went
to cock his revolver the main spring
had broken. He had pointed the
weapon nevertheless, taking the risk
of being killed rather than to explain
an accident that George might regard
a purposed act to avoid the duel.
We'll have to adjourn this case"
sighed George. until you kin git yer
own pop"
"Say, George" returned Bill, hand
ing George the crippled weapon. 1--WE
test thought we kin settle this matter
more satisfactory. Tillie, as well as
she appears to love both, mout refuse
ter marry the one that kills tother
about her. Then we'd be in nice
shape-one dead and tother wusser.
Less fine out which one she really
loves best; then let that lucky one give
tother all his property to console him
a little, and take her,"
''That'll be satisfactory to me-if we
kin git bill O. discovery, as the law
yers say, that will wuk."
well, think I've got it. Termorry
at church me an you will let on like
we git in a fuss, an pull our pops.
Everybody will be excited; the VIM
men will yell, an pirty Tillie will come
screamin' out to the one she loves
best, an beg him for her sake to put
up his pop"
THE very thing!" exclaimed George
Ilapping a cloud of dust from his right
leg.
A great congregation had gathered
for Rev. Ball, the celebrated revival
list of Knott county, was to preach, and
the report had drawn people as suck
hole draws chips from a broad terri
tory.
The house being filed, the grounds
overlooked. Men and boys covered
the turf in front and at the sides, as
thickly as bees cling at the side Of a
gum on a hot morn of July-all ears
eagerly poised. Nothing save the cleo
trio voice of the speaker, fell upon the
vast quiet.
When the preacher began to pitch
his tone to the scale of concluding ex-
hortation, Bill and George, as per pre-
vious arrangement, came into the
crowd from opposite directions. They
were radiant in their new clothes, and
their new boots announced their
entrance through proud meas
ured squeaks. Being the richest
young men of the section.
their appearance made heads of
reverence silently incline and a whis-
per of admiration ripple through the
wide throng.
Quietly the young gallants worked
toward each other, and, before the ST.
lent company knew they had met, or
knew they had occasion for quarrel, a
rapid fire Of denunciation began be-
tween them.
you did step on my foot!" vo-
ciferated George.
You are liar" shouted Bill.
Boys, don't shoot, for Lords sake!"
shouted a score in concert.
The hitherto passive throng, was
now in rolling. surging motion. The
timid fell to the rear, and the bold
toiled madly toward the danger-swirl
The windows of the house became
mouths for rapidly expelling wads of
color. The doorway was a choked
channel for the emission of feminine
flood Wild shrieks went up, and
benches tumbled down. Dogs yelped,
and white-faced, wild-eyed women
cried: "Oh, where's my baby?" or SAL
lie" or ''Tommie," where are your"
A rolling commotion of voices on the
outside finally killed all distinct ex-
preston.
Bills white-faced sister got to him,
and seized him by the arm, but big.
firm hand pushed her back. The con-
stable wedged his way to George. but
he fell back Imply against propping
men, his face gushing blood. The
justice Of the peace, who commanded
peace, found the peace of Bills paral-
yzing fist. All was in swirling, roar
ing confusion when the thunderous
voice of the preacher broke above the
crowd with the aweing power:
EFF ye amt got no respect for me,
an the day, an the Lord, respect yer
neighbors who now leave single life
for the holy ways of matermony.
now peform sarimony. Be ye silent
in the face Of this awful, sacred in
ordinance Nv heavens disposition.
Jine hans Thomas Benton Brammsr
and Matilda Jane Susan Ann Adamsi"
Silence fell, and SO did the spirits
of Bill Garrison and George Peterson.
They looked up at each other and
though agony loaded their slow-chug-
ging hearts, they smiled through sick,
feeble lips as thought answered
thought: What fools US fellers BEL"