The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-05-19
THOUGHT H SAW 4 RAT.

1
. "Ain't his jigleIs pretty iIeaf read
10 see de raj, jimmy"
The bsftcnder's main heller leane,
uguinst The bar and bit at his ragge,
) cigar-stub viciously. A miidlc-agv,
country man had totierca fecbly ava
from the counter over which fusel-oi
jigwater b dispensed. 1t was in
Hanover street dispensary. says TIL
Eoston Globe. where the tillers 81 sol
love TO congregate when they ar,
down to Bosting" inspecting thu
Atheninn white elephant. Hcelers anf
.slcepers" were scattered all about
the place.
Jimmy" the bartender. ran dirty
towel over the surface Of the beer.
spattered bar and then replied to his
friends interrcgaiof,:
"Ye kin see fur yersef dat he's pit
tin leery; dis is de tenth day of bis
racket"
The chief friend and heeicf slowly
turued his cold, cunning orbs in the
direction OF the knockcd-out caudi-
date from way back. This gentleman
was decently dressed. although his
linen needed an introduction TO wash-
tub. His head rested on his hnnds. his
elbows were planted Oh the table at
which lie sat His face was pale. with
burning spot of deep carmine on
either cheek. His eyes were wide open.
The pupils were greatly dilated. His
hands trembled violently as he press
ed them against his throbbing temples
He had evidently been on protracted
spree and was used up. Four times he
had visited the bar yesterday morning
before he sat thus sick and detected,
and at each of these pilgrimagcs the
hearts Of ''heelers" aud '.bums'' had
bounded with hope.
Vain hope!
This was a solitary soaker. Not q
shout went forth from his scortcl,-
ing throat Wherefore the .sitters"
In the palace of early morning dryness
despised him. and were envious of h m,
and determined to "work' him In A
way only known TO themselves and
Jimmy" the g!n.slinger.
ASK Jimmy to give us de rat. Pat
sey. de gang can't stand dis no lush
racket any longer De bloke's got
bags O. dust an we might as we'll git
little OF it,
Patsey made sign to Jimmy, and
The bartender handed out beautiful,
smooth-coated gray rat of large pro-
portions. Tho rat had long. rough
tail and bright bead-like eyes. The
rodent seemed very tame while beng
handled. Patsey walked down to the
front door. d d something to the rat,
eame back q few steps in the direction
of the rum sick stranger. and placed
The sleek animal on the floor. The
rats nose pointed directly toward the
Strangers brogans.
There was suppressed 'I.et 'er 90,
Gallagher" from the gang, and then !
Patsey shot The whiskered varmint al
sharp kick near the root of the long,
graceful tail. Tho rat sailed straight
and steady for the brooding bacchan.
al an. making a peculiar noise as it
went. Tho wide-open eyes of the lone |
drinkcr glanced downward. and grew |
much bigger. The rat never stopped |
for this, but proceeded on its Decline
course. The countryman arose and
pointed. with shaking finger. at the
little beast. His lips framed weary
smile as he remarked. Big rat;
where'd he come from?'' 4
The ''sleepers" awoke and Joined |
The "heelers" in staring. with astonish-
ment at the man, who sa d something
about rats. Not word was spoken,
however. On came the rat. and nestled
against the chair-rung at the farmers
feet.
Say. this rats purity familiar on
short acquaintance, ant hef" sang out
Boston's distinguished guest in accents
intended 10 be merry and free.
What NIL that yer shoolin' off about
rats. anyhow" demanded Jimmy as
he emerged from behind the bar.
"Dere's no rats in s joint and don't
yer forget it,"
'Why. there's a Big rat right here
against this chair. Anybody can see
hat" confidently replied he of the
swellcd head.
While this conversation had been go
ng OH Palsey had jerked string
quickly. pulling the rat away from the
hair. 1t now reposed in his coat
pocket
"Where'd We say this rat of yours
wasp" asked Jimmy. coming close up
o the strangers char.
why, right here" The stran-
,er looked downward--the rat had
'an shed. The gang gathered about
lin.
did he think he seen rats. j mmy"
asked the head healer.
Eyes. de poor devils got 'em bad, / .
cckon. He ourter see doctor or get
ONE medicine. II lie gets de jams
ey'll hustle UNI up TO de hospital, and
ill um. Dey kill um all at de hospital.
or they shuts off dc booze too sud-
en-"
The man who had seen the big rat
overheard all this conversation. His
nee grew paler. and his hands shook
With shaker shake.
"Well, now, lookit here" said Patsy.
s no pushed up toward the trembling !.
nan and took his hand with profess
lonal air. my fader's de best doctor In !
Session, an has lots of desc cases. He
,eeps dc medicine to stave of the
jams. already mixed. II de gent don't
want to 60 to de hospital an be cut up ,
y de young doctors he'd better give me
IL money to get do medicine of de old
Ta L