The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-08-21
ALEXANDRIA, LA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 81 1873.
But when lie was in action he was
like a little volcano. He was q lit.

But when he was in action he was
like little volcano. He was q lit
tie hell.
Jack Harper had his ideas Of hon
or. His word was good for ten
thousand dollars any day. He bank
ed at Burgoyne's, and, as sometimes
happens with the smartest of his
class, he would run short. Upon
one occasion-I witnessed the occur
renee -he walked into Burgoyne's
and said in commonplace way:
'sPhil, Tn dead broke; give me
couple of thousand. I'll hand it to
you in day Or two
And lie got it. 80 .a4.
Fancy man trying that on on in in
New York: And what is more, Har-
per kept his word. That is what
you might call free banking.
The Pike county brute had Vi
cious tcmpcEand skin full Of the
worst whiskey the town dealt in.
His manner was intolerable. His
eyes full of devilment. He sat down
beside a table, called for some liquor
and began to blustcr. Harper and
two of his friends were sitting near
him silently smoking. To look at
these three one would have thought
them strangers to each other. Per-
haps that was what deceived the
Pike county blusterer. He address
ed his remarks to Harper; who paid
no attention to.him. He then spoke
to a man named Green. Green sat
like statue. Then the ugly brute
turned to Dan Somers with taunt-
ing laugh. Dan didn't wink even.
Then the wretch turned to Harper
again and made use Of a word I'll
repeat here. And then lie did get
his answer.
Harper was pale looking, slight.
built young man, below medium
height, with small hands, silky hai'
ISL 81 q n
and soft features. He was ve,J ne1'
IN his dress. and abo-s the last man
in tho world ,ori would pick out fol
fiolsing man. But before the Pike
county man suspected what was com
ing, Harper sprang on him like a tt
f ger, and with single blow with hi
compact fist laid the beast on tn
floor. The beast was up and read!
E again; but before he could make
movement another shot from TIL
same fist, square between the eyes
; sent him over again. And that me
neuvre was repeated until the spun
! Of the Pike county man, eyaporateS
He suddenly sat down, wiped tn
blood from his face, and concluded t
postpone the balance of the engage
j ment until a more favorable season
ri Harper at that time was interes
| a.,-l
= ed in a saloon on Kearney stree
There were several monte tables i
the establishment, and occasionall
\ Harper dealt himself. Upon til
. evening of the same day that he n
ceived his punishment at Harper
hands. his evil genius led the Pix
: county blusterer around to Kearne
: street. Harper was dealing at on
of the tables. The Pike county ma
- recognized him at a glance, advance
u to the table, made; a show Of h
ounces, seated himself and called f
- clay OUT of the cards. s
From the moment he sat dow
!, his manner was offensive. He insu
es ted everybody who came near hi
. Then lie became abusive. He &
j, rected several insulting remarks
he the dealer. Harper paid no ate
81 ton to him, but continued the gan
m quietly. At last the Pike coun
10 man clustered, and refused to p
m over the stakes the bank had VIC
ID, Harper still preserved his temps
he He replied to the blusterer as 0
he might reply to an irresponsible p
I'M son, or to one who had the MIST
tune to inherit bad manners.
a "I'ye had enough Of that" said I
i'll. Pike county man, fumbling for :.
md bowie knife.
ere Harper again expostnlated.
Of "You needn't think l don't kr
your game. / shan't pay CT
his Not a dollar. I've been cheated,
the 1 want you to fork over, and
'ors quicker you do it the better it.
ply He never finished the sente
ion Harper's eyes literally blazcd '
the fire as he lcaped over the table.
op- bully drew his knife; he was b
e a|ing his arm to strike when HarE
ont lladv. like fist struck him square