The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-10-10

underbrueh all gone, no song OF, Bird
no scent of flower, no futter OF insect
life, . strange, dreary desert Of forest.
Here was majestic trees aged with, q
century of growth. Gazing ats their
stately tops, one could we'll imagine
that in DAYS agone perhaps under the
very trees we were passing, sLo, the
poor Indian" had once assembled to
shake dice to see who should pay for
the beer.
Twas absorbed in these meditations
when the wagon ran into huge stump
and away went sailing out into space.
The shot gun about this time decided
that it was tired of riding and came
along also. Neither of us were hurt,
and wo resumed our seats in the
wagon. the gun rather unwillingly l
thought.
We were now getting near the camp
| of the enemy and q rather curious
sensation took possession Of me. OF
course it was not tear, but my heart
evinced a curious disposition to desert
it's pericardium and homestead the
lower portion of my throat. cock
ed both the rifle and the shot gun,
placing them sideways in the wagon
to satisfy the manifest uncasiness OF
the driver. The revolver took out
and placed on the seat Ivy me, cover
ing it with q superabundance of coat
tail. The knife I loosened in it's
sheath. About half q mile tur-
ther on ] saw approaching one Of
the most villainous looking men rad
ever seen. He was OF negro blood.
nearly white, OF herculean frame, ard
If not born criminal and assassin,
should have had his face indicted for
malicious libel. He carried glitter.
ing ak on his shoulder and eyed me
| insolently.
The driver turned around with a
| whisper, Oats him, boss"
My knees now partOok OF the
general excitement, my hand trembled
as if my best girl was about to refuse
to 60 into the cold storage business.
At the same time an overwhelming
conviction reached me that this was
not the man ] was looking for. and
that it would be impolite to risk a
suit for false Imprisonment.
AS he came opposite the wagon, my
driver drew up and assumed the
| initiative.
ais your name Perkins?'
"Naw", was the surly reply.
My thermometer Immediately re-
smued it's normal condition of 72 in
| the shade.
my good man." said l, carefully
concealing all weapons, II am looking
| for one Perkins; can you inform me
where that most esteemed gentleman
| lives?"
Gin that house over yonder." he
said, pointing about quarter OF a
mile distant, where thin spire of
| smoke emphasized tumble down log
house.
When about 100 yards from the
house halted the team and gave a
few briel directions to the dSiver.
With the rifle at full cock cautious.
ly approached the house. 1t was of
rough logs very rickety, with the usu-
al stick and mud chimney. Outside OF
the smoke from that there was no
sign of lite about the place. Silently
came up to the back door, with g.
| vigorous kick sent it off the leather
hinges, and covered with the rifle q
figure dimly seen in the semi-darkness
OF the room.
Throw up your hands," I com.
manded. "If you stir I'll shoot"
From the figure, in shrill, frightened
accents, came.
"For de Law'd s sake, watcher mean
white man. amt dun muffin"
The gun dropped from my nervous
| hands.
Thomas Perkins, alleged desperate,
was an old crippled negro, about 17S
| years old, half paralvzed and wholly
stupid.
Three hours afterward l drove into
Dead Pine with my prisoner, to be
greeted with ironical comment and up
roarious laughter.
"Did he kick much, Cap?" said one
big fellow, while another, after eyelng
| Perkins moment in silence, said, as
he moved off:
eyes the thing is alive, I saw its
tongue wiggle."
Four hours later / was in Jackson
vile, and delivered my prisoner to the
| United States marshal. As the ma
jor audited my accounts and drew q
check for my expenses he was shaking
with i'll suppressed laughter.
"What do you see so funny about
this?" l inquired, rather tartly.
II was wondering what the Judge
will say when he sees him." was the
reply.
Just then the Judge strolled in. He
gave a look at the prisoner, then at
me, and inquired mildly. but with .
merry twinkle in his handsome eyes:
did you have much trouble in ee.
curing this desperate, Mr.. Ofhcer3"
The major fairly roared.
took my check and left the room.
have not seen prisoner, United
States marshal, or Jacksonville since
that eventful day, and Dead Pine
shall know me no more forever
| Hamilton Jay in Detroit Free Pree.