Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-26

/ on, and that he was an awful tighter, but just
at that time was wondering about the cave
and didn't put down the figures.
| do remember, however, that tho colonel
| told me that he was a millionaire, and
| further remember that managed to convey
the impression that had about three nil
lions at my disposal Experience has taught
me that it is better to lie about those things
to Quite the other party. When stranger
| has informed you that he can draw his check
| for cool million, and you have replied that
you'd be glad if you could draw one for SIS,
the inevitable result is GOODNESS which 5000
| drifts you to opposite sides OF the pasture Of
| life. therefore make it rule to let the
other man fix his figures to suit himself and
| then I double them.
The colonel next informed me that he had
arrived on the grounds with speculation in
riew. He had heard that the cave was for
| .ale at ridiculously low figure. The owner
| of it had got the idea that mammoth caves
| were going out of style and would soon be q
| drug in the market, and would therefore sell
| out for triae-someshing like $50, Was
| I looking for an investment on which l could
double my money in thirty days! / was
Would take half of itl ! would. II it had
been a farm or vineyard or yoke OF cattle
might have hestated, but one never runs
any risk in buying a cave. 1t is right there
1t stands in any climate. It is always health
and productive Ii it should fail as a cave,
owing to sons change of public sentiment,
one can turn it into cold storage, state
prison or pirates lair and reap fair interest
on the capital.
1t was agreed that we should walk over to
the cave next day, and was further agreed
| that We keep the matte as still as death.
There were other millionaires there, and they
might catch on. We were to set out at a. IN.
SO as to GO slow and look for other caves on
the road. Before setting out gave the land
lord my watch and all my money but dollar,
and when ready to go stepped OFF as light
infantry. The colonel was awaiting me down
stairs, and under his directions l slipped
quickly away in one direction, while he took
another and soon Joined me.
"We've got to work this thing mighty
easy" he explained. Chances to make q
million dollars don't grow on every bush, and
If the fact that this cave is for sale was known
in Louisville a special train Of millionaires
would be out here tonight"
agreed with him, and we took to the fields
and made short cuts. We had gone two
thirds Of the distance and were passing over
a wooded ridge and chatting as friendly as
two emperors, when l heard chckl click!
behind me and the colonel sang out:
Halt. Throw up your handsr
halted and turned around and was some
what SURPRISED to find that he had great big
revolver leveled on Inc at full cock. He also
looked as if there was serious business on
hand and felt it my duty to inquire:
Whats the matter, colonel-snakesr'
eff you don't do exactly as l order will
how your head off, he replied.
But what's the order?"
'Shel outL / want ayerything you've
got!"
as this put up jobs"
SIT is"
Sand you are not Col. Henry Blanchard,
late colonel Of late Tennessee regiment in
the late wara'
'Not any Shell!'
"Would you rob an orphan of his alll"
asked, hoping to reduce mis- heart to liquid
state and then outrun him.
II would, and don't you bother me too
long.'
Then I began shell. L shelled out silver
dollar and laid it on rock. Then shelled
cut cigar case, two quill toothpicks. a match
safe, cigar, pocket knife and a phial Of
peppermint essence which / used for tooth
ache.
"Come down." he yelled as / stood and
looked at him.
Il have"
81 want your money"
There it is I've got sos and railroad
iickeJ to Detroit at the hotel, but you'll have
to wait until we return there
"Where's your watch!"
SAT the hotel"
"You miserable, poverty stricken wretch,
but you lied TO me about your millions" he
shouted.
''But you lied first"
"Turn your pockets inside QUIT"
complied and he saw their emptiness
THAT'S q regular Yankee trick" he
erowled as he tried to hide his chagrin. ''If
1t wasn't for the trouble of hiding your car
cass I'd shoot you! Now, then, do as l tell
your
with pleasure" =,
'Go straight towards those trees, and don't
stop until you reach them. If you look back
Ill shoot you"
1 picked up everything but the dollar,
wished him good day and set out. and after
reaching the trees made circuit and finally
brought up at the hotel. When l told the
landlord what had happened ne exclaimed;
SIS it poSsible9 Why, he owes me for
weeks board! What will happen next, I
wonders'
week later met the colonel in Lexing-
ton. Ky l met him face TO face on tia
street, and his embarrassment was 50 great
that felt sorry for him. In order to put
him at his ease and prove that had no hard
FaoI;,,1c b;-,, 7 hel1 ont hand and
said:
Colonel, you owe me dollar, borrowed
money"
''Just looking for you that I might pay it,"
he replied, and he went into his vest pocket
and brought up my 1872 dollar.
Then we smiled and passed on.-Detroit