The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-03-01
Successfnl RlnH

As Dusenbery walked into >Callahans
Retreat, the habitues saw at glance
that something was about to happen;
for in about half minute there entered
four of the most ferocious-looking ruff
fans who had ever been seen in Fort
Worth. They came with clanking spurs
and fierce boards. two revolvers to each
man and q large bowie knife for lagni-
appi. and they sat down to table and
called fer whisky all around. A tremor
ran through the assembly. Fort Worth's
best citizens were for moment stag
gered. But Dusenbery never quailed.
On the contrary he almost snorted with
Joy as he saw his opportunity to make a
reputation for courage. These men
were strangers, he was backed by
large number of Fort Worth sharpshoot-
ers; yea, he would pick fuss with
them and henceforth be known as a
terror. He had not long to wait. The
strangers emptied their glasses, called
for more, and then, glancing malignant
" around. they launched forth in furi-
Gus abuse of Texas and Texans, their
language being garnished with that pro-
fusion and ornamentation of profanity
peculiar to the guileless cattle drover.-
As they ceased. Dusenbery, having tax
en- in the situation at a glance, arose
and advanced toward the strangers. =
The Fort Worth men put up their pis-
tolls and sank back in breathless amaze
mont as Dusenbery marched up to the
table ut which the strangers sat. His
flashing eyes, his heaving breast, his
five feet of towering form reduced the
spectators to speechlessness. Even
the strangers paused and seem impress
ed.
Gentlemen" said Dusenbery, diving
into his trousers and bringing up an
ancient silver watch, ''you have wound
ed the finest feelings of my nature in
your remarks about Texas, and you
must retract them or-but never mind.
] give you FIVE minutes to retract it
Five minutes to secure your safe return
to home and friends. Five minutes to
avoid a grave upon the lonesome plain.
Five minutesm
An awful silence fell upon the crowd.
The blood curdled in the vein of every
Fort Worthian present. What! had
they been treating this ire-eating Terror
with scarcely yelled contemptP Had
they been absolutely courting death for
yearse But just then one of the strangers
recovered his power of speech and
said:
"Why. stranger, if you feel that way
about 1t, of course we'll cut it short
We didn't mean it for you or any of
your friends, but was just talking on
looss like"
And with that they all four got up
and skunk out, their six-shoOters flop
ping feebly against their hips, and their
very spurs looking dropped and weedy
as they went. With the closing of the
door, Dusenbsry's eye reeled in its sock
ct. The excitement which had thus far
held him up gave way, and he cellaps-
ed, flappy little heap upon the floor.
The assembled citizens crowded round
him, eager 10 offer attention to the hero
of the hour. and at last he was rehabili-
tated sufficiently to admit of his being
sent home In charge of special and
confdential friend.
'Why, DOGGY, my boy, you took MS
all by surprise. We never thought you
were fighter"
Didn't youe''
mo. Why, don't you know those
are four of the worst men in the cattle
business? And we expected every min
ute to see them go to shooting. Were
you armedp'
..Well. had pistol for show, but 1
don't believe it was loaded, and could
mt have fired it, anyhow"
'Great heavens, man, suppose they
had refused to retract, what on earth
would you have done?"
Dusenbery stopped. looked all around
to see il any one were passing, pulled
his friends ear close down to his lips,
and whispered:
"rd have extended the time. ."-Neao
Orleans Times.
he Didn't Want Any Odds.
Billy Epply has just got back from
Chicago, and tells very funny story.
He says that when the telegraph COM
pany notified the bucket-shop proprie-
tors that they could no longer have the
Board of Trade quotations, nor the use
of the ''ticker," except under the new
restrictions, one gay young proprietor
exclaimed:
.'rn bet they don't take my ticker out
Of my office!
What will you betp" asked brok-
er.
':Bet! Why, I'll bet my soul againsta
rotten apple" he replied.
'.Good for you," said dry old cuss
who was sitting by the stove. 'Tm
glad tofind q man who doesn't want the
best Of it al the time, but is willing to
bet on an even thing"
The roar that followed this sally
could be heard for some distance. Gin
eiaadtS Enquirer.