The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-07-13
SWAPPING, ANDY.

There were six or seven of us seated
around the table at the club. after the
q High links" had been adjourned,
when the doctor SAID: "Colonel, if
you don't stop crashing your teeth to-
gether, l shall insist on addressing you
as Swapping Andy"
The colonel smiled the customary
smile-"I know hint know him.
Smart fellow, toe. Remember how he
used to joke and be joked9 Awful
gambler, too. When he came to a faro
table, the dealer always turned pale
Thought Andy was sure either to break
the bank, or raise his scalp if he lost
Terrible fellow!
On one occaslon--lt was just when
the Frazer river CXcItement-Andy and
a comrade of his, called Squatty Dick,
became infected with the fever, and de-
termined to seek their fortunes in the
new diggings. They had first to go to
Vancouver III order to catch the steam
er, and, in company with a crowd of en-
thusiastic gold hunters, found them
selves ut a little embarcadero, ready to
take passage across the island. The
only means of conveyance was large
boat, ships launch, which an old fell
low had obtained and turned into a
marine monopoly He charged the
passengers five dollars head, and then
made them row the boat. They were
obliged to accept his termss or remain
behind.
"Thc sweeps were 50 heavy that
they were double banked, and when the
old tub was under way, it suggested a
convict boat, with two galley slaves at
each oar. In the allotment, Andy was
made the immediate companion of n
young fellow from the wildS of Wash
ington Territory, a strapping, big hand
ed, bronze checked youth brave as a
bull terrier, but without any large share
of experience IN the world. PHYSICALLY
he was about Andy's equal.
''Thcrc had been some personal I'M
derstanding that morning between
Andy and Squatty Dick, cOcerning the
ownership ii n five dollar gold piece, in
| which Dick had been obliged, Ivy the
argument of muscle, to disayow any in
te;est III the haf-eagle. he determined
on revenge; SO he took the young
stranger aside, and talked with him.
g l rather like your looks,' he said,
and | don't ike the idea of your get
ting hurt. "
g They amt no man III this drove
kin hurt me" snOrted the young front
| lerSman.
6 That S Ill right" answered Dick,
but that man you have to pull the
oar with bites
g Gosh !" was the exclamation, " l
don't banker arter bcin' chawed upi''
OF course not, ;" Dick answered ::
know you don't. Now that man is
tjptop fellow. and l don't think he
means anything but he gets absent
minded sometimes, and then he bites
the nearest man. He snooched dro-
ver's nose off yesterday, and that's why
he's so anxious to get over to Vancou-
yer.
The young fellow was really terrifi-
ed. He did not know what course to
pursue. g Reckon I'll over a day." he
said.
Dick objected to this, Cd the ground
that 1t would be but an exhibition of
cowardice. There is't much danger.
if you only take proper precaution. he
explained. When this man Andy is
about to bite, he looks sharp at You,
and snaps his jaws terribly, Just to get
them III order, presume, to Timber the
JOINTS. All you have to do then is to
push piece of wood IN his mouth.
He'll chaw that up. and then be lust as
amiable as politician at election
time"
The young man made no remark
ha GIN NV ,ronlnroI 81
with his eyes cast on the sand. which
was strewed with bits of wood and
kelp. His search was rewarded by the
discovery of an ancient Delaying pin,
which had drifted ashore-not a very
large one, had nicely rounded top,
and the lower portion just fitted to the
grasp of the discoverer's hand This
he concealed in the bosom of his buck
skin shirt.
The passengers, who We're also, as [
have SAID, the crew, took their places,
and the long sweep of the ten oars lift
ed the launch along at fair rate of
speed. Andy pulled like horse he
spoke to no one; he seemed content to
mediate with all his mind and row
with all his strength. Now Andy was
an lnveterate tobacco chewer, it has
been estimated that he consumed one
tenth of the entire crop of Virginia, and
yet he was never Known to purchase
single plug. He always begged chew,
and the nearest man was always the
first individual solicited
Suddenly Andy ceased his efforts
at the oar, and turned his dull, I'M
winking eyes on his companion His
mouth opened-he was about to ask
the young man if he had any tobacco
but his jaws only came together with
the customary crash. This was enough
for the young frontlersman He sprang
to his feet, seized Andy's hair in his
left hand, ierked his head back, and
with his right hand forced the Delay |
ing pin into Andy's mouth.
There; Gawl dern yer! You'll |