The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-21
HIS WIFE's CHAMPION.
Mr.. Finkenbinder Tackles a Red-Whfs-
kered Party in the street Car.
Chicago Tribune


"Lem, that man in there stepped on my
dress and tore it,"
what MANI"
'The man with the goggles on. He's
holding on to strap. When the car
stopped l started to come out, and he put
his great big foot on my dress. Just look
at it, will you? It's ruined"
at was an accident, wasn't it?"
'No. He did it on purpose. IfIwas
man I'd go back and knock him down"
why, Fan"
"And if had husband that had any
spupk he'd do it for me-
The street car had got half block away
by this time, but Mr. Finkenbinder did
not hesitate. His courage had been called
in question. His knightly honor as cham
pion of the family was at stake He ran
after the street car, caught it and went in
side.
care you the man that stepped on NV
wife's dress just now?" he demanded.
bristling up to a administered party who
wore PAIR of green gaggles.
WAS that your wife that went out lust
now?" asked the red-whiskered party.
sit was, sir"
'If / stepped on her dress didn't know
it"
"She says you did it on purpose"
eff she were man I'd make her take
that back"
Il represent her, SIR"
'YOu do, hey?"
Yes, sir, and I'm man."
''To some extent, sir; to some extent"
rejolned the man with the goggles, as he
looked Mr., Finkenbinder over.
al h.
"Say Look herel don't want to have
any trouble with you. If you'll bring
your wife back here I'll apologize to herl''
You'll apologize to me, sir!''
Mr.. Finkenbinder was becoming beIlig-
erent.
You'll apologize to me-" he repeated,
cor, by gum, I'll"
you'll WHAT"
"l'll punch your head"
''Iou little speckied bantamp' roared
the other. IF you don't climb out of this
car III step on youW
Mr.. Finkenbinder's reply was a swinging
Highlander. 1t lit squarely on the red
whiskered party's goggles, knocked them
all out of shape, and broke the glasses to
fragments.
The next two or three minutes seemed
like a dream TO Mr.. Finkenbinder. He
dimly remembered afterward that he ex-
tossed from one side of the car to the
other, hattened against the roof. TANNED
under seats, whirled round on his own
axis opened and shut Ike O iack-knife.
and used as football. There was a roar
ing in his ears, sparks OF ire danced be-
fore his eyes, and an odor like that of
birthstone dlled the air. Women screamed.
men lodged, and there was general rush
for the doors.
At the expiration of, his engagement
with the administered party Mr.. Finken-
binder found himself sitting on the ground
He was alone. The car was turning the
corner a block away. He picked himself
up, looked about him 10 take his bearings
and the recollection of what il was all
about came to him by degrees. He went
slowly back 10 the crossing where his wife
was waiting for him. His hat was gone
his coat was split up the back, his nose
was twice It's natural size, one end of his
shirt collar was loose and dangled MOURN
fully over his shoulder, one eye was closed,
and he was covered with dust and humilia-
ton from head 70 foot.
did you demand satisfaction from the
brute, Lem?" ashed Mrs. Finkenbinder,
as her husband hobbled toward her.
20, yes he replied, glazing az her with
his only visible eve Il demanded salts
faction from him. And | got il. madam
/ got It! hope you are as we'll satisfied
as am. Has there been any other giant
that has stepped on your skirt or dared 10
look al you since | have been gone? If
so, - he went on with horrible calmness,
Il m ready TO so and paralyze him,
madam, Want me TO so and whip any
body else? ANY other seyen-foot man with
8 list Ike q canyas-cOyered ham that you'd
IKE 10 have me SO and knock down for
daring 10 live in the same ward YOU do?
on don't happen TO think OF any? Then
come on, madam. With your permission
your champion viii escort you home"
And, followed at a little distance by Mrs.
Flnkenbiuder, he hobbled on down the
street, somewhat demoralized, but thor
oughiy satisfied