The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-03-25
a QUIET MAN.
The Bitter Experience of = Bully Who
Tackled Him.

stands an old mousse, once famous
among the river men as a place OF
revelry, harbor for fugitives from the
pioneer Justice of the time, and place
where physical prowess was the one
safeguard of purse or person. A good
many stories cling TO the spot, and any
good guide can tell of battles that chill
the blood of the summer tourist For
in the days when the Dell House was
at its best great RATS oflogs went down
the river inscharge of gangs of men
who drank and swore and fought like
all the pirates in Algiers
Once upon a time-so the guide will
tell you-Bill Endsen came down with
raft of pine from the upper woods,
and before pushing through the narrow
gorge now called THE Dells," he tied
up at the Dell House and told his men
they might stay overnight Among the
crew was one Flintsore, bully who
had beaten half the men in the party,
and only waited proper opportunity
before taclSling old Bill Endsen him.
self; and, although old Bill had for
years been called the best man on the
river, he was afraid of the savage RATS
man who fought so like a tiger and
whose passion was never stated until
his victim was unconscious Bill had
decided ifever trouble did arise between
them he would kill Elintsore with an
ak rather than meet him hand TO hand
Sitting In one corner Of the Dell
house, when the noisy crew came laugh
ing and swearing in at the door, sat a
short, square man with rather large
bundle on the floor beside him. He paid
no attention TO the men, and at FIRST
they allowed him to pass unnoticed
But as liquor stirred their blood they
grew moro boisterous and invited him
to Join them. He declined, and again
they gave him some moments OF peace
After a while the widest rafter in the
party came over 10 the corner and asked
the quiet man what he had in his bun.
die. He declined TO answer simply say.
ing IL was his own and that he was TAX
ing il down to Madison. The rafter was
angry aud he amused himself by stand.
ing across the room and tossing empty
whisky bottles at the motionless bundle
"You stop THAR yelled old Bill End.
sen. "rhe man is not bothering us and
we won't bother him."
"But we will" said Flintsore, who
had noty seen so good an opportunity
to quarrel with his rival Words could
but lead to blows with these men. They
were unarmed and there was no chance
for postponement They stepped out
side on the level grassy plat of ground
and engaged in a battle which is still
remembered by the pioneers, They
rolled over on the ground; they sent in
heavy blows they kicked, wrestled, bit
aud gouged, till old Bill was utterly
beaten and lay defenseless against the
brutal blows that fell upon him.
Flintsore desisted at last and the
other rivermen took the victim to the
river and washed his wounds
Then Flintsore went into the house
and approached the quiet man, who
alone had not followed the lighters out.
side and watched them.
Now what have you got in that bun.
dle?" he demanded.
mo matter what I've got" returned
the short man, tits none of your bust
ness"
Then you get up and fight"
WELL you take an hour to rest up
and | will fight yoa," responded the
quiet man, and there was that in his
eye which promised he would keep his
word "Iou take an hour to rest up.
Then we will go in the cellar together,
lock the door inside and throw the key
out through the bars After that, God
have mercy on the weaker man"
Flintsore was wild with delight
Here was chance FOR two good fights
in one day, He took drink to his own
good luck, aud then stretched out on the
floor and waited.
When the hour was up the quiet man
cast one long look at his still motion
less bundle, stripped to his shirt and
led the way TO the cellar The base
ment was walled with rock, The door
was heavy and strong. The windows
were barred with iron. The fioor was
earth.
They locked the door, tossed the key
out through the grating, and a moment
later the crowding river men outside
knew the fight had begun. They could
see little through the bars, They pressed
their faces against the windows, climb
ing upon each other for vantage
point tia the only air passage was
chosed, and the men inside fought in
poisoned atmosphere
They were there scarcely twenty
minutes Then the man who had been
quiet came to the window aud calmly
asked for the key Besides him there
was not sound in The cellar He un-
locked the door, and they crowded in.
There in the middle OF the aoor Law
Elinstore. bound hand and foot gagged
almost beyond the point OF breathing,
and stripped naked. The tough cloth
ing which had covered him now held
him disgraeed prisoner When he had
been freed The men asked him il he
wanted to try IL again.
Mo" said he hunely, THAT man
held me with one hand. lie Knocked
me down whenever he wanted to |
couldn't touch him And IL tried to
! clineh he downed me and fell on me.
My ribs are broken. My heart hurts
The quiet man still sat ia his corner.
"Do you mind telling us who YOU
] n n.