The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-20
An Angel From Paradise.
From the Virginia tCol.) Chronicle.

I'm q roarin' ripsnorter from hoorah |
camp, and | can't be stepped on" re-
marked thick set. white eyed man, with
lower jaw like a cow catcher OF loco
motive, as he staggered into T. street
saloon and thumped the bar with his fist
until the glasses jingled
The bar keeper caught whiskey bottle
that was just tumbling off the bar aud told
the stranger that he needn't make so
much noise about it. as nobody wanted to
step on him.
You bet they don't, young teller. I'm
an angel from Paradise valley, and bad
one, too; and when l flop my wings there 8
| tornado loose. Give me some o your
meanest whiskey, and a whole lot OF it
something that tastes like humble bee
| stings picked 10 vitriol."
While the bar keeper was looking
around for some fusil oil aud rubbing a
glass with red pepper, group around
| the stove surveyed the stranger curiously.
A thin gentleman with bullying fore
head, aud dyspeptic look, said to the
others: Now there's an illustration of
what was saying. That fellow would
have no moral courage whatever. were he
put to the test. If he were challenged to
fight without cause he could not attain the
sublime height of moral heroism to refuse.
He would be afraid of being calledls coward.
but, mind you, he would never brag or
bully unless he thought he had the
advantage. you see he is a stout man and
!, presumes upon his physical superiority to
most men to bully and blackguard them
Now Bill here is stronger than that blow
hard, but you never see him In a fight.
} He's quiet; but get him started, and he
would be lion aroused. He's got moral
, courage
The 'Blll' referred to was tall,
powerfully built man, with stee! gray eyes
5 and firmly set mouth. He said nothing in
reply to the compliment paid him, but
quietly watched the Angel from Paradise
: The latter drank his whiskey and smasch
: ed his glass on the bar. What in -
do yer mean by giving a gentleman such
, Istuff as thatp Did L ask you for riusins
yer chicken hverad whelp? I've got
u graveyard full of ROSTERS that played tina
n racket on me. I've got mind to fan th,
/ air with yer corpse.
Now, get out of this" said the bar
keeper, becoming angry,
Get out o nothin'. Gimme a drlnl
and all you starved buns around the stow
come Up here and have a drink with
thorough bred high stopper for once. jus
} to say we've drank 10 decent company
a It'll be an honor to tell yer children abou
y.
own any children. Now, waltz up livel
g and take yer medicine"
r "Dou't care for Anything. thank you.
said the dyspep;ic philosopher quietly.
\ 'Yeh don't? Well. tell yeh 10 tax
suthin. hold the age in this game, an
when | chip everybody comes. Ante u
:: to the bar. now. look pleasant. Gres
/ Seottl Yeh need suthinsin Eyer belly t
balance that sweiled head O yourn.a Com
# up the rest o you bumbs "
i Nobody stirred, bat all looked at til
Idispep,ic, who quietly said: We will nc
b drink with you.
No? Id be cheaper for yeh to craV
ipto prospect hole aud pull tombston
!. over yer head / kin lick the whole tow
from hell to breakfast, and believe L
y start siu on this 9cadtall Look out for
hurricane when sweep Whoopl II
e a comin"
In about two minutes sthe bevel-heads
] admirer of moral courage was diiaDhi
dated piece OF Lric a-brac, the big ma
n called Bill, was sopiug cold water on hi
E eyes in the back room. and TIE rest of .th
crowd scattered about the place in svariou
a stages Of encouragement. while the ange
:. from Paradise was standing OF a billiar
lie table and shouting: Where's the res
D of yer poperlation? Trot out yer cohort
N ard fetch on the mob. pm an angel fror
D, Paradise. and holy terror when | flop N
s. wings | swallowed Cyclone for break
fast and powder mill for lunch and
haven't begun to cough yet. Where's tn
y the popuace of this broken down choke
t ranch? I'm not myself tonight