New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-09
Waking IN the Wrong Man.

An evening or two since some OF the EN-
ployes of the Ophir Company found an
intoxicated man sleeping of his over allow.
ance of "tarantula juice" among the shaw.
inss in one of TIE temporary shops near the
works. They had some trouble in getting
the fellow aroused, and more in trying to
make him comprehend where he WAS, or
rather that he was not in place where be
legitimately belonged.
1t was determined by the men who found
the booty party that they would give him
such fright that he would never again
venture within q mile of the works. There
fore they told their man that they had posi-
tive orders to kill any person found about
the works after dark. They said it was q
thing they did not like to do, but the works
had lately been destroyed by fire, and the
company were not in humOr to take any
more chances-their orders were impera-
tive.
The man tried to beg off saying that he
did not know how he came into the shed.
and swearing by all that was good and bad
he meant no harm, out all would not do.
He was seized and dragged some distance
up the hill toward the Masonic Cemtery, to
place in the open country, where five or
six r.tied cannon, belonging the Nevada
Httiilery, have been standing since the day
of the fire. Two stout men then seized the
trembling ''snOozer.' and placing his head
in front of the muzzle of one of th0Kuus,
told him he had but three minutes to live,
as they we're about to blow his head of
Again the man begged for mercy, saying
that he had only taken q drop too much
and got into the shed he knew not how, but
certainly without any evil Intentions.
Said man who had taken his place at
the breech of the gun, and was taking some
matches from his vest Iosket. ''If you have
any word to leave for 81 wife, an old father
or mother, or any friend or relative, you
will do well to make known your wishes"
Il reckon l hain't got any wife, or old
father or mother, or anybody else as cares a
chaw of tObacker about me-"
We'll, but have you no dying wish, no
dying request
wall, now you talk Mout make a re-
quest'"
"You may, and be quick about it light.
ing match). as when l apply this match
to the tOuch-hOle of this gun. off goes your
head. You have request to make!"
stranger, l hev."
"Out With it. then. We can't fool with
you all night when there may be other fire.
bugs proving about the works.
Il kin hev my last request, them"
"You can"
You won't go back on me''
NO
=
Didn't say so' Let's hear your dying
request, or dab goes match into this pow
der. and off goes your head"
We'll, then, as l have your word as
gentleman, my last and only desire is that
you'll put me at the other end OF the gun
before yer stick that match inter its touch
hole"
Too thin cried all hands. Good, but
too thin. You don't get OFF that way"
"Oh. ho!' said the snoozar, 'you go back
on yer word. do yer! Yer don't know who
picked up Bill Slicer from the Muddy Fork
of the MOhicaI." And suddenly shaking
himself free OF the hold of the men who
held his arms, he reached down into the top
of his right boot and brought out revolver
nearly as large as a Calling gun.
''Oh, hO.' cooking the formidable shoot
ing iron, ''go back on your word! Go back
on my dyin' request! Now know the kind
of men I've got TO deal with-internal liars
and murderers!'
Half this speech had no: been concluded
indeed. the pistol had hardly icked-be-
fore there was wild scattering of the little
party of practical jokers.
They ran behind the groups of cannon,
bounded oyer the cemetery fence toward
the shelter d the tombstones, and in short
rolled and tumbled in all directions.
"Oh, ho"' cried Old Bill, "why don't yer
stand by yer gun! Come cut Of yer holes.
You've got bigger gun nor l hev, but I've
got the most shots, and I'll giFe yer fair
fight and die game! Wall, here's some for
you at random and Old Bill let off cou-
pie of shots among the cannon and tomb
stones.
The jokers were mighty glad when their
old snoOzer ceased to rage about the spot
and took his way, mutteringly, toward the
distant lights Of the town.-Ierritorial En-