The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-03-21
He Was From the West.

room not far from the city hall, and
placing elbow on the counter,
quietly ''sized" up the crowd around
him. He vas a stout but muscular
looking man, with a head as round as a
globe, and dark, restless little eyes. At
ter standing in a picturesque pose tor
about a minute he shouted:
Everybody come and take 8 drink"
but there was no response from the
crowd. Are all you fellows deaf?'
cried the stranger, wheeling around
with his back to the bar. Il say every
body come up here and take a drink
with me. Do you understand?-with
mel" Then he wheeled around and
faced the barkeeper, saying, Perhaps
these buffers don't know who [ am"
THAT'S where they are with me-"
said the bar-keeper.
"Well, it's about time you know me-"
shouted the stranger. 'Cali those pieces
Of statuary up and give 'em their poison
all round"
but, perhaps, they do not care to
drink
"What!" shouted the stranger. "Do
not carr to drink? Well, that knocks
M clean we the ropes. When / in
vite a crowd to drink it drinks every
time" Then he wheeled around again,
and bracing his back against the bar,
cried: "Ill give you wax figures just
five seconds to decide on the name Of
your poison. Damn me, I'll name it
myself. You shall all drink whisky,
every mothers son Of you. Waltz UP
now, and fall into line. Quick" Just
at this point a slender little fellow
stepped out from behind the table and
faced the stranger.
Are you from the west?" asked the
little man.
Eyes, sir, / am from the west, Gunni-
son city, and n of the old original
stakers of the town. My name is Colo
RADIO Jack. De ye hear that? Colorado
jack" and the stranger threw his arms
wildly above his head.
Been east long?" asked the little
man, quietly taking out a cigar and cut
ting the end off with a pen-knife.
mo, but"
Thought not" said the little nan.
"Come now" shouted the stranger,
Colorado Jack isn't used to waiting for
I'VE for a lot of buffers like you to take
a drink. Barkeeper set up the WHISTLES
for the crowd.o
Come east on a visit. I suppose"
said the little man.
l. SSs III l. Y SAJo Jo0
Better take to-night's train home"
said the little man.
whats that? You-a miserable lit
tie jumping jack like you talking to me
in that fashion. [ spare your life for
the present, as you must drink with me
afore you turn up your toes. But you
needn't expect ter leave this saloon
alive. Barkeeper, why don't you set up
those drinks?"
ever visit the east before?' asked
the little man, lighting his cigar, and
blowing a great cloud of smoke straight
into the strangers face, causing that
worthy to sneeze and cough. "WheW!
Up-you-you miserable little animated
bag of bones!!n cried the stranger, wav-
ing his arms about the little mans head.
eff you'd only taken that drink. But
I've sworn yon shall take it before you
die. Then I'll clean out the whole darn
place. This is too much! Barkeeper,
yank out that bottle, or I'll smash your
whole lay out. Put up the drinks, [
say :,
"Relatives living here, I suppose
said the little man, again filling the
strangers eyes full of smoke and acct
coming down on his favorite corn
with a tremendous stamp.
"Oh-hi-ah-you."
"The door opens this way" said the
little man, catching the big stranger a
singing blow behind the ear, and
sending him reeling toward the entrance.
"Where is the-where-show me the
~
s'It's growing a little late for strangers
to be OUT continued the little man, fol-
the bully up, and fairly lifting
him over the sill of the entrance with a
final love tap on the back of his neck.
s"The through train to the west starts
at 81 said the little man, turning on his
heel and re-entering the saloon.
An Explanation.