Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-08-22
A K. c. Drummer Goes snipe Hunting
With thu 1oya

Saturday night after we had retired
tired To our "downy couch, we were
aroused by the sound of many voices,
some following, laughing and making
numerous other noisy expressions,
which paralyzed us for minute, but,
recovering, and feeling a sense of duty
creeping over us, we got up and stuck
our head out of the window to ascer-
tain, if possible what was the cause of
the disturbance, but ia this we were
baiiied, for between us and the the
scene of excitement stood brick build
ing, and.nOt being able to penetrate its
walls, we proceeded at once to don our
trousers, and other necessary wearing
apparel, and wend our way iGto the
noisy street. When nearing the Medi-
cine Lodge house We saw large group
Of men all circled around some object,
which we could not then see, for il was
completely hemmed in; this gave us re-
newed energy. and SO we determined
to proceed further and investigate the
matter, we elbOwed our way into the
crowd, and what do you think we saw
"a man, yes, man, we got closer: we
knew we had seen him, but when and
where, we put our pOnderate brain to
work, and in short time it all came
to us,it was Mr.. $. I-,Of well-know
leather and shoeinings no lsein Knasas
City. We had seen him several times
on Saturday, but, oh, my, under much
more favorable circumstances. lie wore
bycickle pants, cut bias, with brake
attachment, a 'seymore" coat. kid
gloves and n dude hat, but it shocSs
our mOdesty TO describe him there in
that crowd with his shoes off his pants
pulled up as far as they would gO-ow-
ing to the smallness at the bottom. they
refused to be pulled up any fIlther, his
coat off, and his shirt once white, look
ed rs If 1t had had q dose of eppecach
or had been the victim of a cyclone.
lie was mud from head to foot, and had
evidently got into the river. On inquir-
ing of the wOe-begone how he got
in such a predicament, we were In
informed that he had been the victim
of a "snipe hunt" He met, and be-
came acquainted with, at Pratt Centre,
a Mr.. Harrington, travelling for Dignan
" McGinnis, st Louis, and Chas. BECK
meyer, representing McComb Bros,
Wichita. They told him that when
they got to Medicine Lodge they would
get some of the leather men there and
so out snipe hunting. To this Mr.. III.
readily consented. As soon as the drum
mers got here they informed w. s. Fin
ney, an other member of the leather
brigade, of their scheme, and he became
one or the active participants in tile
hunt. After supper they procured suf-
iiclent conveyance to take them TO the
snlpe region, loaded the unfortunate in
and left town. They had supplied them
selves with gunny sack and couple
OF candles. They took and kept the
San City road until they had crossed
the river, then they took the ravine for
the hill, not far distant where they
halted.
Now" said Mr.. Finney, tive will
find plenty OF snipe here" and you can
hold the sack and candles while we
drive them in, pointing to Mr.. Marring-
ton"
'Hold." cried Mr.. S. H.. "let
me hold the sack; want TO see them
run in. i want TO have something 10
tell the Kansas City girls when / go
Well, this was just the part the bows
wanted him to play. So they let him
hold the sack.
He got down on his Unreasonable in
each hand, and holding ON to the sack
| commenced To watch for the snipe. The
DOyS Jolu MIN LllaC ne must not take his
eyes off the sack, and so far as they
knew, he did not. The mosquitoes were
bad. but he dare not strike them lest
he lose sight of the snipe. The bows
got into the buggy and started out TO
hunt the snipe and drive them in, after
they got short distance, thew com
menced following "here they arel Look
out for theml Hold on to all you get. y
and the hard-hearted boys pulled out
for town and left him there holding the
sack. When they got across the river
and on an opposite hill they could see
HIM holding the candles. lie had TO
wade or swim the river and walk sever
al miles in order to get TO town. 1t was
about II O'Clock when he got in. The
boys had given him steamboat rack
et,and 1t was his intention 10 take boat
for kiowa, and then go UP Sand creek
to IIazleton. But he changed his mind
and took the stage early Sunday morn
ing for home.
Well, ne will have something TO tell
the Kansas City girls, but We beubt
very much whether he tells it or not.
IL Is To he hoped that he left Medicine
Lodge wiser If not a better man.