The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-04-11
Fun in the Highway.

The setting sun on Thursday afternoon
threw n halo upon vast drove OF hogs,
scdatey marching down the Olive street rock
road, attended by two gentlemen, one garn-
ished with stick and the other embelished
with a blacksnake whip. 1t was rather
chilly-in fact cold-and as the gentlemen
walked along in pleasant conversation, some.
times addressed 20 each other and sometimes
to the hogs, they began to feel the influence
of the raw atmosphere, the effects Of which
| they tried to overcome at the bar of every
| tavern they,tell inlwth. Encouraged with their
success they became hilarious, and; in their
good humor pokcd each other and the pigs
in the ribs in that familiar manner which
characterizcs good fellows charmed with
each others society. He of the black-snake
cracked his lash until the air was full Of
snaps, and shouted and yelled in the line
exuberance of his spirits AS his enthusiasm
arose he pinned for loftier deeds, and told him
Of the stick that the next traveller would make
some fun for the party that even the hogs
could enjoy.
But few more drinks had been concealed
when they met a man in a buggy, man who
had been hunting, and who had some danger
Gus implements in the buggy. With spring
of the whip he grasped the reins and brought
the horse, man and buggy to sudden halt.
Stranger" said the man in the buggy,
leaning forward with his elbows on his knees
stranger, wish you would let that horse
go"
partner" said he of the whip, II can't |
can't let that horse go. want To know,
partner, where you've been and where you're
going"
stranger" quoth the man in the buggy, 81
don't think that's any ofyour business Really
l don't"
II don't want 10 hurry you, partner, but
you mnst answer my question or you must
slide outcn that yer buggy, and dance fling
for us right here" and he snapped his whip
uncomfortably close to the buggy mans
cOuntenance.
buggy, II don't think | can dance. My boots
are too heavy"
"You can take your boots off if YOU want to,
partner. | amt modest, and won't mind
your bare feet; but | say, partner, you want
to be quick, cause these hogs and tins yer
friend o nine Is getting mighty impatient"
well, If you want to see Il dance mighty
bad, stranger, reckon / must accommodate
you. I've got some light boots here, and
when | get 'em on III show you how it's
done" and he fumbled under the buggy seat.
In moment he rose up with a huge revolver
in his paw, saying: "lIow will that do for
dancing, stranger"
The next instant he was on the ground, his
left hand mprehcnding the throat OF Black
snake and the pistol pressed tight to his fore
head The hogs looked at each other with
raised eyebrows, and were all the more
astonished when they saw him of the stick
hosting himself over fence and sliding for
peace on earth and good will among men
behind ncighboring barn.
Stranger, would you be polite as to drop
that whip"
He dropped 1t.
"Now, stranger, well have that dance"
"Well, partner, | don't know but what It's
time that dance began
Just then Sam Ecker drove up, and the
situation was explained to him. Samuel, be
ing a devotcc of Tcrpischore himself, grayely
considered that the dance should go on.
You'll find it more comfortable, stranger,
to dance without those boots, and ] think
yoH'd better take em off,"
II estimate you're right about that, partner"
and down squatted Backsnake and disrobcd
his feet and took off his coat.
1t is said by those who saw him that Black
snake Is an excellent dancer. He has a keen
appreciation of the fine points, and has way
of Singing his feet that many masters of the
art have not acquired.
Warm amt it, stranger"
Black snake conceded it was Il little oppres-
sive, and he resumed his habiliments after five
minutes hard work.
Good by, stranger" said the buggy man.
Good by, partncr-say, partner, don't
mention this little thing in Lucas Market,
Will you"
But somehow it was mentioned in Sans
house, and at Billy Beek's, and for a day or
two Blacksnake found no peace save in the
society Of his hogs.-St Loais G5oje. J