Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-21
COWBoYs sURPRTsRD.
Barking Up the Wrong Man Their Ex-
perience with n Drummer.
MllMAIILna SnnIlnnI

Barking Up the Wrong Man Their Es-
pesience win n Drummer.
Milwaukee Sentinel
al have seen good many daring deeds
peri ,rmed and coarse jokes perpeirated by
cowboys" said the sgent "but will tell you
OF . little incident where the wind was taken
out OF three cowboys bya determined fcar-
less 'tenderfJot 1t happened only last
spring. | was the station agent and telegraph
operator for the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company at place near the Montana line.
II was not much OF place, as 1t consisted
only Of depot, house or two aud saloon.
"One morning a travelling man arrived at
the depot by stage from up north somewhere.
He had small sample Sc and satchel. He
was below medium height and rather slight,
but was very neatly dressed and wore silk
hat. He was travelling io- New York
jewelry house. He was about an hour early
or the train east pnd he opened his grip on
| the platform, took out a brush and busted his
clothing and shoes. He then drew out an old
newspaper, leaned up against the side OF the
depot with Que foot projected in front OF the
other and began reading.
"Meanwhile, however, three cowboys bad
sauntered up to the depot. They all eyed
him closely and watched his operations
| When he began reading they huidled togeth-
er and talked awhile in an undertone. Pres
emily one Of them-a big six footer-leit
the group and began to saunter
carelessly about the platform, with
his head In the air, inspecting the posters
on the building, and the cornica. When
| he got round where the travelling man stood
he lifted his big brogan and planted it firmly
on the jewelry mans foot. No apology was
| ta ha trov oil nj l,,l lal
drew his foot back a moment then placed il
back where it was. The cowboy passed back
to the other two. They all chuckled and
joined in a low-toned conversation.
| "Soon the co~b boy stated out again on a
similar round, gaping at the root. When he
reached the travelling man he tried 10 bring
down his coarse boot on the extended foot
| The travelling man jerked his foot back sud
denly, and the brogan came down with a
thump on the platform, nlther con ference
and chucklipg followed. Finally the cowboy
set out on the third round. just as he was
about to raise his foot to plant 1t on that o.
the travelling man, the latter looked up quickly
and said:
"'See here, there is my foot, and its going
to stay there. You step on It, il you wan
TO, but want to tell you that before } ou car
&c, off Of it, will kill you
"Such volley staggered the cowboy. Ht
looked at the foot and then at the small pos
sessor, and finally moved off without stepping
on il. Another consultation followed.
1.-The travelling man calmly read his pape
a few minutes and then took from his satche
three apples. He looked at them a moment
and suddenly threw them few feet in the al
and then quickly drew a revolver, fred thre,
shots, splitting each apple into dozen piece,
before they reached the ground. He replaced
the cartridges in the empty chamber Of th,
revolver and returned it 10 his pocket.
'The cowboys witnessed the act without
saying word. and soon completely cowed
turned and left the depot The travelling mar
told me after they left that he would hav,
killed the three OF them bad the fellow
stepped on his foot sgan, and think h,
would, as he was quick as lightning. H,
then showed me medal he carried. which b,
won as being the most rapid and best shot
In New York. sThe story simply illustrate
that there is sometimes a great deal OF fcti
tiOus vslor and daring about the cowboy