Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Twelfth Year - Number --
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, February 6, 1902
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THE BADGER FIGHT.

       A badger fight is a diversion that always attracts interest and the announcement in Friday's paper that there would be a contest to the death at Turner's saloon, brought out a large crowd, many of whom had long desired to see a contest of this kind.  Everything was in readinessearly (sic) and many wagers were made as to whether the badger or the dog would leave the battle field with victory perched upon his brow.
       Everyone was upon tiptoe when the signal to loose the badger was given.  The restless canine could hardly be held until the cage door could be opened to let the badger out.
       Badgers are harmless to human beings when properly handled but one has to know how to approach them or trouble is likely to follow.  The young man who volunteered to liberate the badger lost his courage and the badger himself refused to come out of the cage without assistance. He was dragged out by one of the attendants but he would not put up any fight and the bets were declared off.
       Some of the boys present had been hunting during the day and had bagged quite a number of quail and duck, and after the "fight" was over a "spread" was served consisting of quail on toast and baked duck, stuffed with oysters with accessories.
       Although the badger was a coward and refused to fight, yet the occasion was one of immense enjoyment.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas