Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-28
MORAL POWER OF MUSCLE.
BY JUDGE CLARK.


1t is about dozen years since bust
nes.-not pleasufe-lsd me to New Jer-
icho, the terminus of civilization and the
Whammelovsr railroad. And "a hard
road to travel that was. 1t had sleeper
grades, sharper curves, and moro of
them than, It is to be hoped, ever put in
peril the public life and limb before or
since.
1t WIS Saturday afternoon, and we
were to reach Jericho at some indefinite
hour that evening, time not being Of The
essence of the contract
at a place called Blueruin we stopped
fifteen minutes to liquor There bad
been a cock fight aud several other
fights, aud big crowd there that day,
and everybody was in high glee.
The New Jericho delegation returned
by our train. and rougher looking sam
pies of rustic rowdydom it would have
bsen difficult to find, even in that ia
vored region. Among them was strap
ping six footer, a very Hercules in pro-
portions, with a cock o'-the walk sort of
swagger about him, who took possession
of two seats, depositirg his body on one
and deadheading bis legs on the other.
One cheek was pulled out by an under
lying quid, while ever and anon, with a
back action jerk, he would send a gill of
tobacco juice over his shoulder, which
those within range had the privilege of
lodging or taking the consequences of as
they liked. AS for his conversation,
the curse of Ernulphus, or the table talk
Of Flanders mess room in Uncle To
by's time, in point Of maledctory power,
was weak in comparison.
At the next station, a young lady
came on board, beautiful rs Venus aud
modest as Diana. How so rare flower
could bloom in such wild, was ques
ton to puzzle over. But there was no
time TO settle it. The lady was standing
and all the seats were occupied. was
on the point of offering mine, when a
youthful looking gentleman of PROPOSES.
ing manners and appearance, stepped
forward and addressed the eouchant
Hercules:
ALLOW mo- said be politely, 'to turn
over the back of this seat
Hoy q the other grunted.
The request was repeated.
See you dod burned firstr was the
gruf response.
But. sir the gentleman began to
sxpostulate. :.
.Lookee here. your clustered the bull
ly--'don't you offer for to 60 for to
rile nae!-that's my advice, an gives
it ree-gratis, cause l feels interest in
you
But this lady is entitled to a seat,
the stranger persisted.
Give her your own, then, dot droi
you! an stop your chin music, or, BY
Eoky. you aOiH rile mel
AS last resort the gentleman appeal.
ed to the conductor, who CHANGED to be
passing. But the latter declined to in
tsrfsre. Such things must be left TO
courtesy. Besides, it wasn't bis place to
take part in the disputes of the passen
gers. So saying, he went his way,
punching tickets, and taking no further
heed.
sDod blast you, you hev riled mel
shouted the bully, springiDg to his feet
and striding up to the young man, who
didn't seem quite sensible to his danger;
you've gone an stuck your nose into
other peoples business, aud I'm going to
pull iiP
An attempt was made to suit the &C
ton to the word. but before the meta.
phorically offending member bad been SO
much as touched, something's moved
so swiftly couldn't be positive it was
the gsntleman's fist took Hercules d.
rectly between the eyes, and sent him
sprawling to the other end of the car
He didn't get up Immediately, and when