San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-08-03
Why the '.Roarer, Left Town.

oh'iu hnh III Dan hhtoniO WAS ~ III
legged desperate named Bob Augustine.
Bob came TO Sun Antonio with fear.
iul record. He enjoyed the reputation
of having killed dozen or SO of men,
and was respected accordingly. While
he was in San Antonio he did not re-
duce the census at all, but that was not
his fault. He had seductive way OF
drawing bis 'ighteen.inch Arkansas
toothpick and examining il critically
with sinister smile while humhly re.
questing the temporary loan of five
dollars. Thus it was that Bob went
about acquiring wealth. and warm per-
sonal friends, but creating no funerals.
There were some rumors that Bob was
playing bluff, but that was after he had
marched away.
1t was during the reign of Bob Au-
gustine, "the long.ranged Roarer of tho
Calaveras Canyon" as he Familiarity
called himself, that young man from
Boston, named John Winthrop, came
to San Antonio, presumably in search
of health, as he brought very little with
him. He was far gone in consumption
and nothing but tho fact that he had
but short time to live, unless the eli
mate of Western Texas saved him, in
duced him to come to San Antonio. As
everybody carried pistol, Winthrop
did not care to insult public decency by
going unarmed. Besides, such a course
might as seriously interfere with his
restoration to health as putting on
clean shirt.
His Puritan training caused him to
revolt at the idea of carrying firearms,
80 he resorted to artifce. He wore a
holster, but, instead of keeping pistol
in it he had his cash funds stored away
in it and nobody was the wiser for it.
On the contrary, Winthrop was looked
up to by the best citizens just the same
as if he was loaded down with deadly
weapons. Of course everybody tried to
make the stranger from Massachusetts
feel as comfortable as if he was at
home; SO he was told all about Bob
Augustine, the long-ranged Roarer, at
least ten times day, and he was ad-
vised not to be particular in asking Sc
curity for the debt, in case the Roarer
wanted to borrow small temporary
loan, unless he, Winthrop, did not wish
to regain his health.
AS might have been expected, the
long ranged Roarer sauntered into
Winthrop's room at the hotel to collect
his usual assessments on strangers.
Winthrop was of the opinion that if it
would save his life and lose all his
money he would do unusually we'll.
The Roarer's idea was to chase the
blue-bellied Yankee around the room
for time or so, and perhaps collect IS
or $40, and make some ear-marks. la
Whitaker, so he would know him in a
crowd if he should meet him again.
The Roarer walked into Winthrop's
room at the hotel, but, before the des-
perado could open his mouth or draw
weapon, the unfortunate Yankee
threw back his coat and with trembling
fingers tugged at his pistol holster to
get at his money to appease the would
be- assassin. On the other hand, as
soon as the Roarer saw Winthrop try
ing to get out his pistol, he turned as
pale as a ghost. The alleged desperate
began to shake at the knees, the cold
sweat boiled out all over him, and he
extended his hand and said in trembling
accents:
Don't draw. good Mr.. Yankee! My
bold Arkansaw heart beats for you. 1
was only trying to fool you. l jest
wanted to teach you lesson. Never
let any darned galoot get the drop on
! you. II anybody insults you, just tell
them that Bob Augustine, the ROarer,
is your friend"
Winthrop, who was more scared, if
possible, than the Roarer, replied:
"Oh, I'll give you what you want, I"
and kept on Juggling at the holster,
which came unbuckled
With yell of dismay, tine desperate
Iassed out through the window, carry
ing off the sash, and ran down Commo-
dore street, the principal thOroughfare,