The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-12-24

which you published the defamatory article.
Come now.
The Watchman's Christmas Gift.
A tin reflector behind smoky oil lamp
cast dull light over the scene of our story.
The place was the waiting room of rail
way station down in southern Texas.
The time was just eight years ago this
Christmas Eve. 1t was nearing drowsy
midnight and the awaited train was hours
late. Some half dozen persons sat glum and
dozy on the hard benches that ranged
around three sides of the comfortless room.
There was not even so much as a stove to
fix ones attention upon. The only sounds
to disturb the stiffness were the cherries
click. click of the telegraph instrument, the
lonesome moaning of the wires without. and
the heavy steps now and then of the watch
man on his rounds. AS for conversation
there was none, and no one seemed inclined
to invite it. All appeared strangers to one
another. Near one corner sat demure
young lady with hands meekly folded in
her lap. She was the only woman there
Near her sat an ease taking old man who
was presumably her protector. In another
corner, the darkest, sat or rather mOped a
fellow who was supposed to be tramp. or
drink drOwsed labOrer: but no one trOub
led about him. 1t was very tedious. The
old man at last yawned, stretched his legs,
drew out his pipe, filled and lighted it, and
settled down for good smoke. Presently
the Waterman came in. caught sight of the
smoker. frOwned and officially announced.
o6 in no cir hn
old man nodded an acknowledgment and
kept on smoking. The Waterman stated
the case again a little stronger and the old
fellow replied quietly that he reckOned a
little smoke wouldn't kill her. The watch
man grew ireful and mandatory. but the
old man closed his eyes and smoked on
seemingly ObliviOus of his existence. Mr..
OfficiOus appealed to the young lady with a
look. and she answered sharply. YOU'D
better let grandpap alone" He had no
more to say, but he was mad. His official
dignity had been insulted and his chivalrOus
spirit spat upon. Some one had to suffer
for it. His wrathful eye fell upon the
snOOzer over in the dark corner. He strobe
over and gave him kick on the sole of his
Outstretched foot. Get up and get out of
here-this is no lodging house," rOared the
Waterman. The fellow only drew in his
gave him jerk. The snOOzer awOke. but
seemed too dazed to comprehend what the
matter was. and he only mumbled out a few
words in reply to the angry questions of
What are you doing here? Where are you
gOing?" etc.. etc. A few more words
passed and the Waterman said. Get out OF
this" and the fellow said something very
hard in reply. The now Infatuated watch
man grabbed his victim by the collar, jerked
him off the bench and started dragging him
with rush toward the door. There was a
roar of rage, and the rush became scram-
BILE. But here things became too confused
for description. There was terrible clat-
tering of boots on the floor. The ticket Of
fee window flew up and the agents head
flew in and yelled, Whats the matter?'
There was wild confusion of flying arms
and legs-up and down. round and round,
over and over went the squirming mass. In
the dim light there was no telling which
was which. The head in the window cried.
stop 'em." No one moved. Up and
down, over and over went the tangle of in.
furiated flesh; but it grew weaker and
weaker and finally ceased to kick-just
pulled. Out of the mass. above the heavy
putting, rose faint voice saying. "Quit,
now-get Of-let me up" It was the voice
of the Waterman. but oh how changed.
But he did not get up until he pleaded,
please give up" The two arose te
their feet. the tattered Waterman looked al
his overtOwering cOnqueror, SHE'D. and
made for the door, and as he crossed the
room the still demure young lady said,
"Why didn't you put pap out?" Every
body laughed. The spell was broken. The
snoozer proved to be the district attor.
ney, hard drinker and hard fighter. The
scared agent came in with apologies for the
new watchman's bad break. but was as
sured that everything was satisfactory.
After being busted off and pinned together
by his daughter, and he had regained his
wind, many were the lively stories
he told of early days in Texas. 1t was
Christmas Day when the belated train took
us aboard and hurried us off to our destina
| tiOnS. ALEXIS.