The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-10
FORCING A DECISION.

Come to think of 1t" said George Peterson to Will Garrison, as the two stood chatting on the highwsg. Il heard that you said that one Of us was a-goin' to git a bullet hc'e Tn nm afore long?"
 Well, now" returned Will, thought fully screwing his left eye ana dissihs at his scalp, Init comes to me thet he'd jest about sich talk.
 You think we ought to shoot over Tillie Adams. eh?"
 T don't see thet we cud shoot over ennything more important; do you! ! shot old Jim Stacy over a hog Iast summer. an by gum in my estima- tion, Tillie Adams Is wuth whole drove O hogs"
 That's all true" admitted George; hogs aint to be mentioned in the same breath with Tillie - no man gits ahead O me in appieciating her worth but the question is one O policy an good jegment-ort we to kill each other over herr"
 Now. that is a matter to seriously chaw on. admit. That we both love the gal more nor an OK team cud pun ef they had a down hill shoot on 1t, IS certain. That both wud fling our ttFcCs dc wOILutCSS id6Sp ~ hSA is ekally shore; but as to whether wet be doin' the proper thing to do 1t is q matter to chaw on. But the matter must Se settled some way. believe the one she loves best orter have her, but she don't say. l believe I'm the one.'
 An feel shore I'm the one"
 An this shoreness O both. ye see, is what I've thought would bring trouble. So I figger it this way: If both live. an one gifts her. tother wud ruther be dead. With Jne dead. he's at everlasting peace, an the other Is happy with Tiliie. Now. what do you say?"
 I'm chawin on the thing"
 Have you got yer pop with you?"
 No: but see you've got two"
 "Yes. an here is a good place. A nice. thick shade wander under that beech to die comfortable under. an termorry is Sunday, an the new preacher. is to preach at High Point an the feller that gifts his light put out will have a glorious big funeral"
 T kin jist see Tillie, her bootiful face, like CT dew-wet rose, hanging over me right now"
 Hush. Go ter drawin' picter like that. an I'll commit suicide to get tc be the one to git hung over." The two men laughed merrily, while at the same time they were unjointine the pops" casting out old hulls and putting new cartridges into the cyl finders
 How far off had we better git?' asked George.
 "Oh. we-e-ll, say-well-one hundred yards-and step forward ten steps al each fire"
 That's good-say, who's them com in in that buggy?" "Durned ef don't believe it's Bil Tom Branner an Tille-'' That's jest who they is. by gum" An old topless buggy drawn by { thin. bay horse rattled up. The occu pants. coming opposite. inclined theil heads gently, smiled pleasantly. ant passed on, a foam of dust rising II their wake.
 she smiled at me. George"
 She smiled at me, Bill" Say. Btli,, laughed George, would mt it be a good 'un on us if Tillie lovet that dog dratted rascal with her bet 1 ter than she do either of us?" Huh! An him with nuthln' but an | edication. an not a hoss Go his name That's bout as redickilus as one O | us Deln iOVeQ Dy president laFLeT.
 "Oh. I wuz jest funnin' of co'se. but come to think. I've hearn O thing 1 jest as unreasonable. Ye see. Tilli has been down to the Bluegrass goin to school for year or so. an thar no tellin what sich fool doin's as tha will lead gal to. They are curious critters at the best-gals Is. Why, hearn of a gal once that refused t' marry Jessie Underwood, the best pisto shot our Kaintuck hips ever had. Well suh. she kep on an on actin the foo till she finally married some poo lawyer thet never amounted to nuthin i ceptin' sumthin' like circit judge. O some foolishness like that. Tell ye gals is curious"
 Yes. that's SO; but we amt no nor time f,r foolin'. Let's step of"
 The men stepped out took place and confronted each other. They wer tc count three in concert. then fire | "One. two. three!" | "Spang."