SEEING FAIR IN A DOMESTIC DIFFERENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 715, 31 December 1875, Page 3

SEEING FAIR IN A DOMESTIC DIFFERENCE.

(From the Vicksburg Herald ) A gentleman residing in this city had occasion lately to make a journey down the river, and several miles back from it, using a saddle-horse. I'arkness overtaking him in a sparsely settled district, and as the road was in a bad condition, and the evening looked threatening, he halted before a fmlar ll looking hut, and asked if he could find lodgings; “ I reckon you mought,” replied the long-haired, sor-rowful-eyed squatter, after hesitating for a moment. The Ylcksburger found litt’e to eat, and the horse found still less. The squatter and his wife were all alone, and they had but few words for the sti angei-, and scarcely spoke to each other. When the evening grew old the traveller camped down on the floor on a blanket, and, being verytired, fell asleep, while the host and hostess were smoking their black claypipes at the other end of the room. He had slept about two hours, when the squatter shook him by the shoulder and said, “Stranger, I’m powerful sorry to disturb you, but I want to ax a flavor.” “ Yes —yes—what is it 1” inquired the Yicksburger us he sat up and rubbed bis eye. “ Ye like to see fa’r play, don’t you, stranger ?” “ Yes; of course.” “ Wall, me’n and the old woman can’t agree; somehow she’s cross and tetchy, and I guess I’m a trifle ugly. Leastwise, wo. don’t hug up worth ole boots. We’ve tit and fit; I’m old and she’s clinch full of grit, and it’s a fair thing 1” “ Well, I’m sorry,” put in the Yicksburger, as the squatter hesitated. “ We’ve been a balkin’ since ye cum, stranger, and we’ve made up to ask ye to hold the candle and let us go in for an old rouser of a light—a reg’lar old, sockdolager, which shall settle our fuss ! If I lick, she’ll go; if she licks, I’ll travel 1” “ I’m sorry if there’s anv trouble, and I hope you won’t fight ” “ I won’t live with a man who kin lick me, and lie’s just as high born. S-mu’s as good as the run o’ men, but he’s lazy and sassy, and wants to wear: his hat on his ear.” She’s right,, .stranger,” said the. squatter; “ and this cabin can’t hold both of us any longer ! It’s to be a sepia’ fight—no kicking or clubbing ; and we won’t go back on yer decision 1” The Yicksburger protested; but the woman placed a lighted candle in his hand, and posted him in the door, and man and wife stepped out on the ground. “ Suke, I am going to wollop ye right smart in just four hoots and a holler!” said the squatter, as he pushed up his sleeves. “ Sam, ye don’t weigh ’miff into three tons 1” she replied in a grim voice, and the battle commenced The Yicksburger mentally bet twenty to one on the man at the start, but in two minutes be had reduced the odds to ten, and in two minutes he was betting even. The wife was like a wild cat, springing, dodging, striking, and clawing ; and pretty soon her husband hud to stand on the defensive. “ Look out for the Bengal tiger, Suke !” he warned, as ho clawed the air. I can whip the hoots off’n ye, Sam 1” she replied, and the battle grew fiercer. One of the woman’s sharp nails struck the husband,s eye and blinded him for au instant. As he threw up his arms she seized both her hands into his hair,

yanked him down, and. in another I moment had the gouge on him. “ Sam, do you cave, she asked, as they lay quiet. “ That’s the dead-wood, Suke, and I'm a licked man!” lie mournfully answered. She let him up, and he turned to the Ylcksburger and inquired—“ Stranger, was that a fa'r fought 1”. “I guess it was!” “ Then I travel 1” Ho entered the hut, put on his coat and hat, took up his rifle, and, as he came out, he reached his hand to his wife, and said, “ Goodbye, Suke ! We agreed fa’r and squar’, and hero I go 1” Then, turning to the traveller, ho added, “Much obleeged, stranger; ye held the candle plumb fa’r, and he didn’t holler for either one of us !” And he walked down to the fence, leaped over, and was soon lost to sight. “ Good ’niifT on the shoot,” mused the wife, as she gazed after him,” “ but his fighting weight's cl’ar run down to nothin’!"