Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-09-13
FooIing with an Old Man.

the corner waiting Tor street car.
They had had drink or two, and were
just feeling jolly and ripe for any kid
of mischief. Presently Jones noted
portly and very dignified looking cd
gentleman standing just across the
street, and evidently waiting for the
same car they intended to take. Tell
you what, Slimpkins," said Jones,
wouldn't it be a good joke to go be-
bind that fellow and hit him slap on
the back? 1t would wake him, he
looks as if he needed it-and do him
good generally if it didn't make him
swallow his false teeth"
"Good idea," said Slimkins, TO whom
the practical joke really seemed gigan-
tic; ''it's easy to apologize for the mis-
take afterwards, and the fun remains"
SO he crossed the street very gently,
and approaching the unsuspecting old
gentleman very cautiously, discharged
slap like a forty-eight FOUNDER
straight between the shoulders.
"Eh, what's thatP" gasped the victim
when he had recovered his hat and his
breath, glaring Indignantly at Slim
kins, and looking ready to annihilate
him. What the devil do you mean
by assaultipg me in that ruffianly man
ner?"
II really beg your pardon, sir"
said the (apparently) contrite Slim
llins. Shouldn't have taken such
liberty for the world, only thought
you my uncle from the country, whom
haven't seen for years"
"Humph" grunted the old gentle
man, shouldn't think your uncle from
the country would ever want to see
you again if that's the way you treat
him."
II am very sorry, SIR" said Slim
kins.
'It can't be helped, suppose" said
the aggrieved party; accidents will
happen; but if you'll take my advice
you'll be more careful in the future,
young man."
The delighted Slimkins rejoined his
party, and the joke was enjoyed huge
ly all around.
Just then Tompkins, who had seen
nothing of the foregoing episode,
and was forth with hailed by the
incorrigible Jones.
'Bet you drinks for the crowd you
daren't go up and slap that old gentle
man on the back, and claim him for
your uncle"
"Why notP" said Tompkins; "bet
you the round l walk up and slap him
and apologize; and, what's more, get
away with it. I've done the same
thing scores of times
"Well, iet's see you now," said Slim
kins.
Drinks goeS?" queried Tompkins,
preparing 10 start.
Drinks goes" assented Jones.
And the unsuspecting Tompkins
walked to his doom. The slap which
ne discharged between the old gentle
mans shoulders nearly paralyzed that
venerable party, and if Tompkins had
seized the opportunity offered by his
disorganization TO retreat, all might
have been well. But he fingered to
apologize.
81 really beg your pardon, sir; |
thought you were my uncle from the
country" said he, soothingly. But
the words were scarcely out of his
mouth before he received stinging
blow from the old gents umbrella
across the face, followed up by such
lively demonstrations of further hostili-
ties that he was fain to beat a hasty re-
treat with his companions, who seemed
to enjoy the joke even as he would
have enjoyed it if it had turned out
otherwise.
The crowd drank with Tompkins,
but that young gentleman cannot un-
derstand to this day why the old gen
tleman should have cut up so rusty
about such trifle.
The Secret of BeDjamin's Success.