The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-16

| NdUc way 10 NC pitleuJ anu lOIg-SulAeT-
ing, just as it is some mems way to Fly
off the hooks" and lose their tempers on
the slightest provocatiOn. Perhaps the
| latter way is more convenient, as saw
ing one a vast amount of lacerated
feelings and loss of pride, but Mates
way had the advantage of costing Its
! owner fewer post norton regrets and
fewer friends. True it is that Mates
friends were wont to impose on him
much as other people did, but he didn't
mind that-at least, they thought he
didn't. And it was this supposition
that led some of them into subsequent
difficulty.
Nate was one Of the principal char
actors and most important features Of
Manganese, where he lived. To be
principal character necessitates the pos
session of much spare time. and Nate
had this essential qualification nearly
every day in the week. When he didn't
have 1t, he was at work, but this did
not happen often. Nate was like Rip
Van Winkle-always ready TO take
drink, or to lend hand for the benefit
of some one else, but prone to shirll labor
which might benefit himself and his
and things, which was quite convenient
for Nate, as it gave him more time to
indulge his fancy for loafing.
Mates loafng places were the Ex-
change and Red Front saloons. These
places were most convenient, being pro-
vided with plenty of chairs, and being
the places most affected by citizens
likely to set EN- up. Here Nate did
most of his suffering. of whatever kind.
1t came mostly in the form of jokes,
practical and Of moutS, leveled at him
by his fellow-citizens. and in these he
took sort of mournful pleasure. as be-
ing an indication of his popularity. 1t
is 4 well-established fact that an unpop-
ular man is seldom troubled by jokers.
Like most of his kind, Nate had
dog mot yellow one, however, but a
spaniel) to assist him in loafng. and it
was Curly whose misfortuneS led to
Mates final reformation.
One afternoon, as Nate was lazily
holding forth to some Of his crOnies
from his seat in the Exchange, there
was slight commotion on the street
outside. and they went TO the door to
ascertain the cause. 1t was Curly. de
had stopped in at the Red Front to look
for Nate, and some of ths crowd down
there had proceeded to have fun with
him by tying tin can to his tail. Hewas
now coming up the street somewhat
more rapidly than usual and heaCang
for the Exchange as possible place Of
refuge. Nate picked him up and Gar
ried him inside. where he renewed the
can. Then he sat quite still for 4 few
moments, petting Curly, and quite IN
conscious of the laughing mob in the
saloon cracking fool-jokes at his and
Curlys expense.
Suddenly he arose. and, without a
glance al anyone, strobe out OF the
door. The crowd followed. wondering
what he intended doing. Nate stopped
q minute in front of the barber-shop to
speak to Jim Calllins
Got a gun, Jim?'
YES"
Gimme it. FIR few minutes"
What ye goin' t do, Nate?"
jim" answered Nate, slowly. but
working his nails in and ont of his /
palms very fast. I'm goin' down t lick !
tn brute th't put that can on til pup !
an l want { be fixed t shoot back ef /
he makes gun-piay."
Jim handed him the desired six /
shooter. and he went on down the .
street TO the Red Front.
The johers had gone inside. and were !
laughing AZ tasy waited at the bar for
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