Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-05-19

Us pickets, and marched boldly up
and knocked at the door.
"Come in!" growlcd a gruf'
voice.
AS entered, Jim glared at me
fiercely. He was strapping six
footer, all Drawn and bone and
ready, at any time, to fight for the
love of it. If he hadn't come to
town for "dlue;m," as he etended
to Old Rum, he had, at any rate
managed to get gloriously "blue,"
and when in that state he was
entirely reckless.
"Jim, old fellow" l said in
concilatory tone, "I'vc got an at
tachment for you, and want you to
go with me"
"Wcll, I ant got none for you,"
he growled, "and what's more, I
ant goin!'
explained that resistance would
be useless; that l had a strong force
outside; that should be compelled
to do my duty, take him dead or
alive. But all to no purpose. Jim,
obstinate enough at all times, in his
present condition was perfectly
mulish.
Seeing persuasion was vain, I
signalled my assistants. At the
sight Of them Jim siezed a brand
from the fire.
eye see that kag, Mr.. Lumpkin,"
he said, his eyes bloodshot and his
voice husky,-"well it's full O. gun
powder, and by the long-toed Harry
of one ofthem onderstrappers comes
across my threshold, or eff you stay
a minute longer'n you kin get away,
I'll tech her off, SO help mc!'
Jim, / knew, was famous hun
ter, and used to buy his ammunition
by the quantity. A keg of powder
was nothing unusual for him to have
on hand. And Polly began to
cry, and take on III way that went
to prove the thing was no joke.
Besides, Jim was just fool enough
to do as he threatened. Ny two
assistants took to their heels like
"whiteheads," and, it must be con-
fessed, l made rapid adconce in
the same direction.
AT safe distance, we rallied and
held a council of war. We conclu-
ded to invest the place, and hold it
in seige for the present.
At the end of an hour Jim ap-
peared at the do +, waying a white
rag tied to stick.
''Is that sign of surrender" l
shouted, from safe distance.
"No," halloocd Jim; "its flag O
truce;" adding: aye ha'n't got no
'tachment for Pop hav yc?"
answered promptly | hadn't.
"Wcll, ! want to pass her out"
said Jim. "She gcttin' 'stericky in
here; and in case the wust come to
the wust, l shouldn't want to be
obleeged to blow the old gal up"
thought the proposition was
reasonable, and said so.
In ten minutes the door opened,
and ''Pop'' came out. She wore a
'scoop" bonnet, and kept her hand
kerchief to her eyes. Her form
seemed bowed by grief. We re-
spected her sorrow and suffered her
to pass.
Hour after hour went by. Ibegan
to grow fdgety. 1t was already
three o'clock. Court adjourned at
four; and unless l produced Jim
before that hour, Old RUNS word
was out to "make an example of
me-" At last l concluded to seek
parley.
"Hallo, Jim!" l shouted, 81
want to speak to YOU"
No answer.
drew near and shouted louder;
still no response.
An idea struck me. Jim had
probably fallen asleep after his
spree. If so, might steal a march
on him. Stealthily advancing, I
raised the latch, and gently pushed
OPCH viz uOOIs
"Where's Jim?" exclaimed.
"Gone this two hours" replied
Pop, punching the fire.
"For goodness sake be careful
madam" l expostulated, "about
stirring up the sparks SO close to
that keg!'
"Land's sake, mani" cried Pop,
otis got nothing in it but beams"
AS the enormity ofthe sell flashed
upon me, l beat, if anything, a more
hasty retreat than l did when Jim
threatened to blow up his house
hold gods, and me along with
them.
"Where's the prisoner?" roared
Old Rum, as l entered the court
house alone.
tried to break it gently; but
was no use. The conclusion of my
statement was lost in shouts Of
laughter. Old RUNS eyes rolled
wildly. His face went through the
whole gamut of colors. What he
would have done Heaven only
knows, or ever can know. A apo
plexy, which the old whisky-bibber
had been honestly earning for twenty
years, struck him like lightning,
and he rolled over dead!
At his funeral few sighs were
heard, and few tears shed. No
word was spoken in commendatioh
of the virtues of the departed. The
officiating clergyman expressed a
faint hope, but didn't seem very
sanguine. All seemed to have
"Come to bury Rumsoner, not to
praise him." Requiescot, etc.
Annual Press Convention.
The fourth annual Convention Of
the Iowa Press Association will
nouyn,o Of Ma-cbul II +nuu Wol,oc