The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-10
RAMSEY sNIFFLE

dies known to each other. The exercises of the day were just over, when Mrs. Stallings and Mrs. Durham stepped simul- taneously 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 MT. Atwater, q have both"
 "Then help me first,' said Mrs. D., flor I'm in a hurry"
 I'm in as great hurry as she is,'' said Mrs. S., 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 Stallngs stepped in. Come" said he. Nancy, let's be going; it's getting late" "I'd a been goue half an hour ago. she replied, If 1t hadn't a been for that impudent hussy." "Who do you call an impudent hussy, you nasty, good-for-nothing, snaggle- toothed gaub of fat, you?' returned Mrs. D.
 Look here, woman" said Billy. .have you got husband here? If you have I'll lick him till he learns to teach you bet ter manners, you sassy heifer you'' At this moment something was seen to rush out of the store as if ten thousand hornets were stinging it, crying. 'erake care-let me go-don't hold me-where's S Bob Durham?" It was Ransy Sniffle, who had been listening in breathless de- light to all that had passed. "Yonders Bob, setting on the court house steps, cried one. What's the matter?"
 Don't talk to mel' said Ransy. Bob Durham, you'd better go long wonder and take care of your wife. They're playing h-l with her there. in Zeph Atwater's store. Dod etarnally darn my soul, if any man was to talk to my wife as Bill Stall lions is talking to yours. if I 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 Stalions.' said Bob as he entered, what have you been saying to my wife?'
 "Is that your wife?" inquired Billy, ob- viously much surprised and a little dis concerted.
 "Yes, she is; and no man shall abuse her, I don't care who he is"
 Well" rejoined Billy, it ain't worth while to go over 1t; I've said enough for a fight. and if you'll step out we'll set tle It.
 Billy" said Bob, "are you for fair fight?"
 q am," said Billy "Ive heard much of your manhood, and I believe I'm a better man than you are. If you will go into ring with me we can soon settle the dispute"
 "Choose your friends said Bob; make your ring, and I'll be in with mine as soon as you will"
 They both stepped out, and began to strip very deliberately, each battalion gathering round It's champion, except Ransy who kept himself busy in a most honest endeavor to hear and see all that transpired in both groups at the same time He ran from one to the other in quick succession; peeped here and list ered there; talked to this one, then to that one. and then to himself squatted under ones legs and another's arms and in the short interval between strip ping and stepping into the ring, man. aged to get himself trod on by half of bott battalions. But Ransy was not the only one interested upon this occasion the most intense interest prevailed every where Many were the conjectures. doubts, oaths and imprecations uttered while the parties were preparing for the