Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-03-13
PICKLED.
How Tom Collstts and His Eve COM
pAnions Enjoyed . HOT basn.
virginia New. Enterprise.

Ho~v Tom Collstts and His Two Com
penions Enjoyed . Hot Bath.
virginia (Nev.) Enterprise.
Tom Collette is q miner, teamster. coal
burner. or anything else that is necessary
when he inds that his pocket is growing
smntv and his larder lean. Tom, with
tvd friends, Joe and Jake, were making
a painful journey from Pine Grove, in
Esmerelda county, to eastern Nevada.
They camped n afternoon by some hot
~sprinps near Walker lake, and discover
inc A hole half full Of cold water neal
one of the hottest springs, turned the
hot water as it flowed out of the hot
springs into the hole, until the hot and
cold water blending made exactly the
right temperature for a bath. Then
they plunged in and enjoyed the delici-
Gus water as only those can who have
travelled oyer dusty roads for several
DAYS. When they had eaten their sup.
per and lighted their pipes, the theme of
conversation for a long time while they
puffed, was their bath and the wonder
| full refreshment which it had brought
them.
They spread their blankets on n grassy
spot behind some willows, a few yards
away from the springs, and fell asleep.
Tom wa up with the dawn. The MEM
ory of the bath was fresh in his mind;
not slow he bounded from his blankets
and, with a leap and a jump, plunged
into the deep clear water and went to his
neck. Then came a howl of anguish,
and he sprang upon the bank with all
the agility of a wild cat. In the mean
time his fair skin had changed to the
color of a picked lobster. The hot water
had been running all night; all the cold
water had been neutralized hours before
the dawn, and now the water in the hole
was almost of the same temperature as
the water in the boiling spring from
which it flowed. Tom was in a terrible
state. He says: ~ thought / was
picked" But he did not hesitate as to
the course he should pursue.
With infinite care he drew on his
pants and boots. Forcing back tears of
anguish he managed to walk back to
camp. Though it wrung his heart, he
put on his old time frank smile ~ he
neared the rendezvous, for Jake was just
then sitting up in his blankets, gaping
and stretching. Seeing Tom approach,
Jake asked where he had been. Tom
replied that the recollection of the mag
nifcent bath of the previous evening
was so vivid in his memory that he could
not think of breaking camp without re-
peating it, and added: "It's Just lovely,
Jake" Jake did not wait to hear any
more, but sprang from his bed and
rushed away toward the spring. A.
swiftly as Tom could, he followed, and
from behind the willows kept covert
watch.
He saw Jake throw off his few clothes,
spring into the water, heard a yell of an.
guish, and then saw him with wonderful
haste emerge and spring upon the bank.
and vainly try, by swift applications OF
his hands to different points of his body,
to arrest the intolerable pain, swearing
and crying all the time.
At last Jake managed to get into hi
clothes and started for camp. Meeting
Tom, he began with fierce invectives tC
upbraid him for his deception. But Tom
cut him short in an instant. Hush up
said he, would you bawl like a calf and
give us away when l want to cook tina,
oSUNA SOAol gun ny III SdIup.
Soothed by this Jake grew quiet, and
both leisurely proceeded to camp. By
this time Joe had commenced to rouse
up, and seeing the others approach,
asked them where they had been. Tom
answered cheerfully Che was holding hi,
pantaloons away from his body in the
rear at the time); "Do you think he
could break camp without one more
magnificent swim? Not much"
At this Joe, getting up, cried: "Not
much. you bet!" and dashed away to
ward the spring.
As he disappeared behind the willows
Tom sprang for his pistol and said t.
Jake: "Get your gun quick; it will
mean business when Joe comes back"
In a few seconds Joe did come. H,
was crying and cursing furiously, an,
never stopped till he caught up his pistol
drop it," said Tom. al have a dea'
bead on you, and so has Jake. Besides
l took all the caps off your gun"
The difficulty was finally adjusted
but the trio took their breakfast stand
ing that morning, and to spare the mule.
they did not ride much for the succeedin,
three days.