Litchfield enquirer., 1864-09-22

;, the better way wodld be to take no notice ol the fact The cabin was one room, one end ol which, as, I saw by the straw and blankets served for bedrooms, while several plasks, ar ranged upon barrels, and spread with tin cups and bottles. with one great stone jug, answered for the bar.
 had scarce noticed all this, when a small giant, the very counterpart of the landlord stepped out from hegroup, and giving me . slap on the back sufic icient to knock life out ol an ordinary man. said:
 Come. stranger, take drink' I declined, quietly, merely saying that did not wish to driak, and the gentleman retired again int2 the group. but only to return in- stanter.
 .Youd better dr nk, stranger; the boys kaIkilats os 9ex drinkis'yasr@ 7
 Ididn't like the style of this invitation, it sounded too much like a threat. and l told him abruptly that would not drink.
 'The boys kalkilate on it, stranger. Come now, don't put on any airs-take drink r
 I told you, sir, that wouldn't drink. l won't drink! Isn't that enoughf' See here. stranger, my names Chris Alison When I'm to hum live down to Coon Bend. I ain't no fool, stranger but cuss me if you karn't drink you must dance, and if you karn't dance you must fight
 'Well,' said I, springing to my feet, and looking him straight in the eye, T won't drlnk and I won't dance. Now then you can do the next best thing
 'Then, by gum, stranger, I'll do that My names Chris Alison, an kin whip anything ofmy weight in Illinois State. aint gwiue to be put down by any cuss comin' around with store clothes on. See here, stranger, thar's the whiskey, and here's little talkin' Molly now if ye won't drink in just one minute thar'll be dead sucker around var pretty soon.' saw at glance that had desperate ruf. fan to deal with. who stood presenting an old fashioned holster pistol at my head. and who would have made as lit:ls of blowing my brains about the cabin ss he would of drinking glass of whiskey. knew that must change my tac- tics or lose my life, as was totally unarnod It was in this vein that I instantly dropped the defensive, and said |:
 i Well, then, sir, ifI've got to make my choice between drinking and death, I'll drink If you are cowardly enough to force an unarm ed man, do it." And advanced toward the bar accompanied by Chris Alison, and poured out tunl' Ter of whiskey. 1 saw in moment that my defiant manner had it's effect on the man, and that when I poured my tumbler lib eralIy full the respect was heightened. The crowd came slowly to the bar, much as thou2 h they were not inclined to endorse the action of my master for the moment. and as slowly filled their glasses. At this moment Mr. Chris Alison, with smirk of satisfaction, as though he had the entire game in his hands laid his pistol on the bar to fill his glazs. I did net wait for second glance, but as quick as lightning grasped the weapon, and in an instant had the muzzle pointing straight for it's owners head. There was little spasmod ic laugh broke out of his throat as he saw him. self in my power, and, with something like a choke, he got out
 'Hel-l-o-o st,angor, what's the muss ? what'r gwine to do 2"
 'I'm going to blow your head off, was my response. unless you do just as say
 'Oh. git out! 1" said MT. Chris Alison, in . coaxing tone, you're funning.' Nov, then, Mir. Chris Aliso.,' said. look ing him straight in the eye, I've got few words to say to you; you look smart enough te understand em. I came here quiet, civil man tired and hungry. wasn't disposed to trouble any gentleman in this house, and I don't think any one but you were disposed to trouble me. Because you were armed, you chose to use your arms to force me to drink against my will. Now I'm armed: by the same rule want you to dance. Come, strike in play away, music. I'll give youjust half 6 minute.'
 Cuss ye ? said Alison, in whining tone, II can't dance.' -....
 'Dauce ! said the next time tell you I'll shoot
 The great lout raised one foot after the other like bear walking on hot plates. .r.
 Faster! shouted and faster he went, while his companions broke out in shout If delight.
 Faster roared, 'or you're dead man, and the fellow threw his limbs about until the precipitation started out upon his face. For five minutes kept him in, motion, amid the laughter of every one, including the landlord, and then lowering the pistol, and presenting the butt to him with smile, said: Now, Mr. Alison, I'll drink with you will- ipgly, and of nay own accord. Come, gentle aen, take hold.'
 The gentleman from Coon Bend took his pistol much as though he was handling hot potatoe, and slipping it modestly into his capa- cious pocket, advanced to the bar and seized his whiskey, which he smpted at gulp, and then turning to me with an admiring glance, said deliberately:
 sWal, stranger, you air the dod rottedest and