The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1889-09-27


BEATEN ATHIS OWNLI1YLE
GAME.
HOsO Old Short. a Famous Mississippl
Character, Had Fur srith a Kc,lt,sckia,
Old Short used to say that he had
met but mi man is his life who got the
best OF him, and he hugely enjoyed re-
.lating the story on himself after the
novelty Of his experience had worn off,
says q writer in the st. Louis Globe.
Democrat. According to his account
of the affair, a Kentucky horsetrader ar
rived at his house one night with q
drove of horses, and by permission re
NAMED all night. There were no white
persons on the place except Old Short
and his wife. Soon after supper the
good lady retired to her own room,
leaving host and guest in possession Of
the parlor for the evening. It was not
long until Old Shorts brain had evol.
we'd a scheme whereby u vast amount Of
amusement could be had at the Ken.
tuckian's expense, and proceeded to put
it into execution. He began by asking
the stranger if he was fond of music,
adding that he had a "nigger fiddler
who could "pull a powerful bow" Ger
tainly the guest would be delighted tc
hear him, and black Steve was sent for.
Several good old tunes were given il
excellent style, and then Old Short
asked the horsetrader if he could dance
"Too old for that now" said Ken
lucky.
20, I guess not" said Short; ayor
are a mighty likely looking man, and
have a great fancy to see you wing {
little. Play us something lively, Steve
Steve quickened his motion and the
stranger looked surprised, but again de
INJURED.
Going to o sideboard, Old Shor
pulled out a drawer, and. taking from
it a murderous looking pistol, he again
expressed an intense desire to see til,
kentuckian wing" The latter recon
ciled himself to fate and proceeded t.
execute such pedal responses to Steve
music as his memory could recall. H
soon got tired, but renewed request
from Old Short, still pistol in hand
were always honored, until, at the en-,
of a couple of hours, the host declare,
the show at an end, threw the pisto
back in its drawer, and stepped to til
porch for a drink of water. The Ken
tuckian's blood was up by this time, S
he went to the drawer and got the pis
tol. He detected in a second that
was not loaded, but saw ammunition i
the drawer. Hastily putting on a bran
new percussion capt was an oldfasl
toned pistol-he waited Shorts return
When Old Short came in the Kentucl
ian remarked that turn about was ia
play, and would Mr.. Short be kin
enough to favor him with a doubl
shuttle or two. The pistol was presente
on refusal.
"Pshaw, that thing amt been loade
in a year," said Short.
That's right where you're mistaken
said the guest. Il loaded it while yc
were out. Get out and wing old man
II looked at that man. said OF
Short years afterwards, "and I new
saw so much hi in a mans face b,
fore. l glanced at the pistol and sa,
the cap, and decided to humor hin
He made Steve play, he made me wing
until the sun shone in the windows tn
next morning. I thought I never sd,
a man so fond of seeing other peopl
dance. My old bones ached as L trie
to do the feats of my youth, but still I'll
fend was Unsuitable. Give us som
thing livelier, he would say to Stew
and turning to me would request me
timber up, that he never had so mut
fun in his life. He never let up on n
until his horse was saddled and b
drove ready to travel in the mornin
and then I was too tired to follow hir
That was a great night for a fact, but
spoiled my taste for dancing"
Poor Old Short! The pines of h
native State are signing long since ovt
his grave, but his pranks and peculia
tiles will be long remembered.