The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-10-16
AN OLD TIMER.
A Observation-Disclosures Who Carries
Four Bullet Holes in His Anatomy.
Especial Corras,condencaI

Especial Correspondence
SAN 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 find that the lunch had departed that
very day. The counter was there. but
alas! the cold boiled eggs and traditional
sandwiches were nowhere visible
saw i'll 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
l clanbered over railroad tracks and
gravel banks to the place.
There sat III 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 worries around well
Worn billiard tables, while from the
general typical frontier air of the place
saw that u 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, Il reckon we have
well nigh everything you kin git any
where. There's sardines, Holsters. salm-
on and oysters-with crackers too"
l 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 us i'm
promptu waiter. With u 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 peck marked plate he set the tempt
ing bait before me. ate and studied
the assemblage 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, re-
motely from Kentucky" replied.
"Be ye from Kalifolny and Kantuck
both too? Well, do tell! If mint from
both too! Yes, sir. In 80 me an the
old oman kim acrost the plains to Kali
forny. was horned at Mayfeld, Kahn
lucky, seventy-nine year ago comm
September. an married Lellitia in the
Little Mi-ammy, in Ohio an we trudged
acrost the plains together"
Then his keen gray eyes filled with
tears, and his voice cholled up MS 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 my son Jim's place. But
it's no use; it's no use, sir. cant stan
it much longer without Lellitia."
To change the old mans thoughts toa
less somber subject | remarked that he
must have seen rough days in his from
tier life.
"Wal, now yere shoutin', stranger"
he responded. 81 lazy 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. "'t
"Them be bullet holes, sir. Four
times have bin shot, sir, four times;
but nary bullet ever entered my back
sir. No, sir; faced the muzzle every
time, and took my pills like gentle
man, sir--tooli 'em face to the foe
Four bullet holes the old man carries |
as proud marks Of his bravery. What
story the tale Of his life would make! |
"A story of camping on the overland
trail sleeping with his rifle in his hands,
surrounded by wild beasts and men
aced by hostile red men, through from
tier mining camp adventures and bar
room broils, down to his fourscore tally |
ON the mile post of time as hardy pio-
neer
When shook his hard old hand to bid
him good-by he held my hand a fill
minute and delivered himself thusly:
"Gentlemen, here is man after my own
style. He is from old Kaintuck, wher
they never turn tail nor show the feath-
er. Thars whar | kim from myself, and
knowed he war II gentleman the very
nlinnit he kim in that dow and sot my
eyes on him."
Then he gave me cordial invitation
to call on him whenever come his
way, assuring me that he always treated
a man right when in his place. and |
boarded the train for Spokane.
w. q. BENTON