The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-12

HOW JEFF GOT DRUNK.
A Romance of the Green River, Kentucky
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A Romance Of the Green River, Kentucky
Bottoms.
A party Of citizens from this town went
down in the Green river bottoms last sum-
mer on hunting expedition, writes cor
respondent at Sebree, KY, to the st. Louis
Globe Democrat. Among the party was an
ex-confederate soldier, named JET Landers,
from Dixon. JEFF is good fellow. but he
has one failing-he likes the "critter," and
when he can get enough whiskey, he gets 60
drunk that his own mother, it is said. fails
to recognize him. The boys passed the
word among the party that the jug was to
be kept out of Jeff's reach. Otherwise he
would be sure to get as full as goat.
'I'll bet S." said one Of the party, who
knew JEFF, ''that he will get drunk before
we get back. II is Just hisluck. Something
will happen, and he will get the liquor.
Jef's friend was laughed at. but there
was no one who wanted to take the bet.
II will axe it upon myself to see that
JEFF doesn't get his toddy this trip, SAID
Capt Hunter. the big man of the party.
The crowd reached the bottoms all rlght
and camped near the river. Two days
passed and jeff had not smelt the whisky:
'You see," said Capt. Hunter to Jeff's
friend, all you have to do is to manage
things right"
On the third day out dinner was served
at the camp ut precisely II O'Clock. Each
one of the party received his share of the
dinner in his hands. and they all seated
themselves rs comfortably as possible on
the ground and convenient logs around tue
camp jeff chose rotten log near the
camp and seating himself astride the log,
he began his dinner with the hearty reiisn
that only worn out hunter can enjoy. Inc
boys had Just about finished their dinners,
| when they were startled by an unearthly
yell from JEFF.
Looking in the direction of the ex-con.
federate soldier, the hunters were horrlf1ed
at the sight that met their eyes: A large
rattlesnake was coiled on one side of the
log near jeff. The fatal warning had been
given BY the snake. but jeff appeared to be
paralyzed; he could not raise his leg over
the log. The hunters stood looking on,
completely spell bound. The snake gave
final ugly hiss, and then struck jeff far on
the leg just above the knee. The charm
was broken the instant the snake struck.
and the hunters spranQ to the relief OF their
comrade. The snake was killed In short
order.
Get the whisky! for Gods sake, get the
whiskyr' yelled Capt. Hunter.
where did it bite your" said young
ing to make an examination of the wound.
"Get the whisky first" whispered JEFF.
The hidden jug was brought forth from it's
hiding place in haste. JEFF ached for it 81
like drowning man for straw. and with
an angelic smile, he raised the jug to his
lips. The only sound for several minutes
was the gurgle of the whisky as it passed
down Jeff's throat. Fortunately, the boys
had consulted the jug freely before the
snake had bitten jeff. and there was not
whisky enough in the jug to kill man
otherwise the hunting expedition would have
| wound up with funeral. jeff drank every
drop the jug contained; then, turning to thu
boys, he said:
"It's all right, boys; the Ticker will save
me, but it's lucky for me that left leg a
Bull Run. The snake struck my cork leg.
after the snake bit jeff he tarried in tn
tent: in fact, he was dead drunk for few
DAYS, and had to be hauled home in tn,
bottom of wagon bed.