Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-17

of their object. Billy and Bob con-
tinued friends, and Ransy had begun
to lapse into the most tantalizing and
hopeless despair, when circumstance
occurred which led to a settlement OF
the long disputed question.
1t is said that hundred game cocks
will live in perfect harmony together
II you do not put hen with them;
and so 1t would have been with Billy
and Bob had there been no women In
the world, and from them each Of our
heroes had taken to himself a wife.
The good ladies were no strangers to
the prowess Of their husbands, and,
strange as 1t may seem, they presumed
q little upon 1t.
The two battalions had met at the
court house upon regimental parade.
The two champions were there, and
their wives had accompanied them.
Neither knew the others lady nor
were the ladies known to each other.
The exercises of the day were just
over, when Mrs. Stallings and Mrs.
Durham stepped simultaneously into
the store Of Zephaniah Atwater, from
down East"
Have you any Turkey red?" said
Mrs. s.
Have you any curtain calico? said
Mrs. D. at the same moment.
"Yes, ladies'" said Mr.. Atwater, Il
have both"
Then help me first" said Mrs. D.
"for I'm in hurry"
I'm in as great hurry as she Is"
said Mrs. E., "and I'll thank you to
help me first"
"And, pray, who are you, madam"
continued the other.
your betters, madam" was the re-
ply.
At this moment Billy Stellings step
ped in. Come" said he, Nancy, let's
be going; it's getting late"
I'D "a been gone half an hour ago."
she replied. 'if it hadn't "a been for
that inpudent hussy."
'who do you call an impudent hus-
sy, you nasty, good-for- nothing, snag-
GLE toothed gaub of fat, you?" return
ed Mrs. D.
Look here, woman" said Billy,
have you got husband here? nyou
have, I'll lick him till he learns to
teach you better manners, you sassy
heifer you!"
At this moment something was seen
to rush out Of the store as If ten thou
sand hornets were stinging 1t, crying,
Take care-let me go-don't hold me
where's Bob Durham?" 1t was Ransy
Snifie, who had been listening In
breathless delight to all that had
passed.
Wonders Bob setting on the court
house steps," cried one Whats the
matter?"
Don't talk to mel" said Ransy. Bob
Durham, you'd better go long yonder
and take care of your wife. They've
playing HI with her there, in Zeph
Atwater's store. bod etarnally darn
my soul, If any man was to talk to my
wife as Bill Stallings is talking to
yours, If l wouldn't drive blue blazes
through him in less than no time!"
Bob sprang to the store in a minute,
followed by a hundred friends; for the
bully Of a county never wants friends,
bill Stallions," said Bob, as he en-
tered, what have you been saying to
my wife,"
is that your wife," inquired Billy
obviously much surprised and little
disconnected.
Yes, she is; and no man shall abuse
her, l don't care who he is"
We'll" rejoined Billy, ut amt worth
while to go over it; I've said enough
for a fight, and If you'll step out well
settle it,"
Billy" said Bob, "are you for fail
fight?"
Il am" said Billy. I've heard much
of your manhood, and believe I'm a
better man than you are. If you will
go into a ring with me we can soor
settle the dispute.
Choose your friends said Bob;
make your ring, and I'll be In WIFI
mine as soon as you will"
They both stepped out, and began tc
strip very deliberately, each battalion
gathering round its champion, except
Ransy, who kept himself busy in
most honest endeavor to hear and SET
all that transpired in both groups a
the same time. He ran from one tt
the other in quick succession; peepec
here and listened there; talked to thi:
one, then to that one, and then to him
self; squatted under ones legs ant
another's arms; and, in the short In
terval between stripping and stepping
into the ring, managed to get himsel
trod on by half of both battalions Blu
Ransy was not the only one interested
upon this occasion; the most intens'
interest prevailed everywhere. Man!
were the conjectures, doubts, oaths
and imprecations uttered while th
parties were preparing for the combat
All the knowing ones were consulted
as to the issue, and they all agreed
to man, in one of two opinions-eith
er that Bob would fog Billy, or Bill!
would fog Bob. We must be permit
ted, however, to dwell for momen
upon the opinion of Squire Thoma
Loggins, a man, who, it was said, ha'
never failed to predict the issue OF
fight in all his life. Indeed, so unerr
ing had he always proved in this re
gard that it would have been counte
the most obstinate infdelity to doub
for a moment after he had delivere
himself. Squire Loggins was a ma
who said but little. but that little wa
always delivered with the most impos
ing solemnity of look and cadence
He always wore the aspect of profoun
thought, and you could not look at hir
without coming to the conclusion tina