New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-06-12
Drumming in Arkansas.

Blister was out in Arkansas travelling as a
salesmanefor a Philadelphia house. One.
morning as he emerged from the door of
his hotel he heard a report of a pistol and
a shot whizzed by his ear. He looked
around and saw man aiming at him
with revolver. He turned to fly Just as
another shot cut through his hat, but as
he did SO second man hit him upon the
shoulder with his fist and nearly knocked
him down. A moment later Mr.. Blister
clencea with his new antagonist, and q
rough and tumble fight began. The
stranger removed handful or two of
Mr.. Bister's hair; then he kicked his left
leg three times with violence: and then
put his elbow against Bister,s third rib
and scourged it with intense force.
Blister resisted, but as the man who
shot at him would hit him on the head
with the but Of bis. revolver whenever
Blister happened to get on top, he. had
not reilly a first-class chance. Pretty
soon the combatants rolled in the gutter,
with Blister underneath, lying In the
mud. While he reclined there his an.
tagonist took hold Of Bister's nose with,
his teeth and chewed it as if noses we're
his favorite diet and he were seriously
hungery. When he let go the other
man tapped Bister's skull a few more
times with his pistol, and then the two
picked up their victim and soused him
in the canal, from which they fshed
him, few minutes later by inserting
a boat hook in the back Of his coat. As
they dragged him out, nearly dead, the
man with the pistol picked up Bister>s
hat, and after studying intently for a
minute the name pasted upon the inside
of the crown, said:
why, see here, Harry, there's some
mistake! I'm afraid we've got the wrong
man. [ say-you, sir-is your name
Alex Bister?''
Mr.. Blister gasped out that it was. .
Well, its too bad" said the man.
Now, do you know / mistook you for
Judge McGrath, Of Little Rock, who
cheated us in land claim
"Do I look like ihim?' asked Blister,
in a faint voice. : 4.
8, You're as much alike as twins. It's
laundering shame. l hope you II accept
my apology for treating you so impo-
litely.'' s3
It occurred to me that it was rather
impolite," whispered Blister, ''but don't
mention it. How's your health and your
family's?" n
"And what makes it worse is that.
you're a stranger said the man, not
needing the last inquiry. I'm afraid
you'll gather from what has occurred
that we are wanting in afability out
here
6 The thought perhaps might have en-
tered my mind after had had time for,
reflection" said Blister, g because in the
East, where I live, it is q very rare cir
cumstance that a. person indicates his
adability by biting of; the human ose.
But ] am a forgiying, man; so we'll let
it drop Beautiful weather we're ihav
ing now" =. -s,5
4 I'm mortified about that noises said
the man; "but if you will come into the
drug store a minute. I think / can make
it hold together somehow with sticking
plaster q 81
/" Is it much hurtp' asked Blister feel
ing tenderly. tisf
"It's perfect nasal ruin" said the
man. Harry, think you chewed it a
little to hard Why didn't you bite him
somewhere else?"
:" Perhaps you'd Like to take another
bite now" said Blister. IS. You may gnaw
away at the calf of my leg if you think
it would make. you feel better. The nose
is Of no consequence Perhaps it is a
good thing TO have It changed little, for
then I won't look so much like Judge
McGrath. This seems to besa fine farm
ing country. How are,the crops?'' @
:. You appear to be q perfect gentle
man, said the man. /" IF you II come up
to the hotel I'll introduce you to some Of
my friends. s
.Certainly,. said; Blister; ssIll go up
right away if you'll get me pair Of
crutches and sling for my arm. I'd
like to know them. Maybe they'd be
glad to fire four or FIVE shots into me or
hold me under the pump? i want to
oblige everybody. Do you often have
these little laughable incidents in your
town2'' ta
Most every day in some way or other.
There are not eight whole noses in the
place, except the women's.'
s How charming! When the news gets
around I should think the tide of immi-
grafton would flow right in. You say
you don't care to bite me again2''
5 30 no.
Don't you want to empty the other
barrels Of your revolver into my back2n
"a No think not..'' ~
May be you'd like to kick me, or roll
me. in the gutter? No2 Well just toss
me in the canal couple Of times again
as 9 kind Of an expression of esteem