The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-15
AN INDIANA GRANGER.

AN INDIANA GRANGER.
Two old grangers who wore delegate
badges very conspicuously CHANGED to
meet at Charlie Kern's restaurant last
night.
"Wel, I'm blamed glad it's ended, -
said the man from Kansas as he mopped
his forehead.
Yep" assented the man from Indiana;
Pm most tuckered out and l shall be
glad to git back home agin. Did intend
to take the train tonight, but, by lingo,
it don't look now as if I'd be able to
make it.''
"Going to stay and take look at the
town, eh?"
Nope. Confound the town; I've seen
all of 1T want to, guess. Nothing but
houses and crowds anyway. No sir:
I've got to wait for friend Of mine"
did he promise to meet you here?"
Nope. That's the whole rub-don't
know where l can find him."
Got separated Ell? Why don't you 60
down to the headquarters of the dele
cation? He's likely to turn up there"
I've thought of that, too, but the fact
is don't know what delegation he be-
longs to-"
CHANGING about the room to assure
himself that no eavesdroppers were with
in earshot, he continued, confidentially:
III m, stranger, would you mind havin'
a glass of beer with me? We kin talk
while we drink and L d like little advice
from YOU"
Then over the foaming glasses he pro-
ceeded to unfold the following tale
Day before yesterday l met likely
young Teller at the Palmer House, who
said that his home was in Injianny
several years ago, but he now was
banker out West. He turned out to be
a nephew of an old friend of mine whom
L hadn't seen IN dozen years. l got
mighty interested in the boy and felt
sorry for him. He'd had his pockets
picked. Yes, sir-lost every cent he had.
Some of these yere Chicago sneaks had
jest nacherly cleaned him out, pocket
book and all. And the wust part of it
was the rest of his delegation hadn't
arrived yet and he didn't know soul in
the town. Think of that boys fix! You
kin bet your bottom dollar he was tickled
most to death to find me-"
Undoubtedly"
"Yep-he was. l wasn't very well
heeled myself, but 1 let him have $40
bill till his delegation got in. That was
two days ago, and I've not set eyes on
him SINCE"
why don't you go to the headquarters
OF his delegation and inquire about him?"
Wall l got to thinkin' about that
point after he left me, and, do you know,
he forgot to tell me what delegation he
belonged to or where he came from
jest clean overlooked it,"
"Well?"
"That's jest what 1 say-Wan9 What
do you think of it?'
4 think you've been bunkoed by "A
confidence man."
''Swindled eh?'
Eyes, SIR
'Skinned?"
YES"
"W'all, do you know, I'm beginnin to
think so myself"
There's no doubt about it."
'tAnd that fellow didn't know me at
all? Jest nacherly picked me out of
crowd for bloomin' fool?"
HIN! Well-rm afraid So"
Looks that way, don'titP Say there's
jest one other question I'd like to ask
you. Do you think any of these Chicago
railroads would recognize my credentials
as Justice of the Peace of jefferson town
ship and give me free pass homer"
II don't know"
Doubtful, amt itP Wall, you're
another stranger, but you're a white man
and I'm obliged to you. don't mind
tellin' you that unless can bunko some
other fool who's greener'n am I'll have
to walk home. You couldn't let me have
little money, could you, till 1 reach
Injianny?"
mo, sir"
mot even to Justice of the Peace,
eh?'
mo, sir.'
THAT settles it then"
And the Hoosier sadly walked out
leaving the Kansan to pay for the beer
Chicago Mail.