Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-10-05
AN OLD TIMER.
a Kentucky-Caiiforntsn Who Carries
-Four Bullet Holes I'm His Anatomy.


SAX FRANCISCO, Sept. 27-Not long ago
had TO wait at Wallula Junction for an
east bound train couple Of hours. 1t
was late at night, and having left Walla
Walla without my dinner Twas mortified
to fnd that the lunch had departed that
very day. The counter was there, but
alasl the cold boiled eggs and traditional
sandwiches were nowhere visible.
saw in the dim light of kerosene lamp
an open door some hundred rods from
the dark station. and over the door the
legend was dimly discernible saloon"
| clambered over railroad tracks and
gravel banks to the place.
There sat in one corner a group of
rough looking men, smoking pipes black
with long use and playing Old Sledge
AT another table group of trackmen
were feeding from plate of cold cab
bage and sardines. Two covered tables
showed that COWBOYS occasionally
punched the faded ivories around well
worn billiard tables, while from the
general typical frontier air OF the place
| saw that stranger there would do
well to hold his tongue. A battle SCARED
old man ambled around behind dirty
bar when entered.
Il am hungry" said. "and called to
get bite of something to eat" ''Wal,"
was the reply, 81 reckon we have
well nigh everything you kin git any
where There's sardines, Holsters, salm-
on and oysters-with crackers too"
| asked for sardines and crackers. The
old man called to one of the card play
ers, ''Bill has better eyes than the old
man." and Bill was mustered in as i'm
promptu waiter With a blunt pointed
pocket knife Bill cut the top off tin
can, and with his dirty hands scooped
saucer into box of crackers. and with
a pock marked plate he set the tempt
ing bait before me. | ate and studied
the assemblags before me. Hunger be-
ing satisfied. paid over two bits for my
meal.
What parts be you from?" asked the
old man.
Immediately from California. 70
motely from Kentucky" ! replied
BE We from Kaliforny and Kaintuok
both too? Well, do tell II amt from
both tool Yes, sir. In so me an the
Ottoman kim acrost the plains to Kali
forny. was borned at Iayfield, Kahn
tucky, seventy mine year ago comm
September, an married Lellitia in the
Little Mi-anmv, in Ohio; an we trudged
acrost the plains together"
Then his keen gray eyes filed with
tears, and his voice choked up as he said:
"Forty-nine year we trod together.
and then lost her. Yes. sir; lost her.
She be dead nigh onto two year. kim
over here from Kaliforny to my son
jim. This is nay son Jim's place. But
it's nc use; its no use, sir. can't stan
i. mach longer without Lellitis"
To change the old mans thoughts toa
less sonber subject remarked that he
must have seen rough days in his from
tier life.
oval, now yere shoutin'. stranger"
he responded. IL lay have seen rough
days" and pulling open his vest he COM
manded that feel his breast and ribs
did as / was directed, and thrust my
fingers into various cavities in his firm
muscles.
Them be bullet holes. sir. Four
times have | bin shot. sir, four times:
but nary bullet ever entered my back,
sir 10. SIR, faced the muzzle every
time. and took mr. pills like gentle
nan. sir-took EN- face 70 the foe
-Four bullet holes the old man carries
as proud marks Of his bravery. What
story the tale of his life would rnskei
A story Of camping on the overland
trail. sleeping with bis rife in his hands
surrounded By Wild beasts and men
aced BY hostile red men, through from
tier mining camp adventures and bar.
room brcils. down 70 his fourscore tally
on the mile pest Of time ss hardy pio-
neer.
When I shock his hard old hand 70 bid
him good-by be held ray hand a FAB
minute and delivered himself fhusIy.
Gentlemen. here ia man after my own
style IL is from CID K&ntuck. wher
they nsver turn tai nor show the feath-
sr Thar's whar l kim from myself. and
I knowsd be war gentleman the very
minnit he KIN IN thSs 3ow snd act ny
eyes On him
Then he gave me coriiai invitation
g. c.A on him whenever come his
way. sssarIr.s me- tAat he slwaTs treated
a man right when n his psce. <aa
boarzed tsse tran for Spokane.
y. q. BExrox