The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-10-19
APOET'S INSTINCT.

Capt. Jack Crawford, the poet scout
Col. Will Visscher, poet without
being scout, and Wild Bill, scout
without being a poet, were playing
cards in Black Hills saloon when q
swashbucking bully from the plains
entered the place, writes Opie Reed
in Fetter's Southern Magazine. He
had just broken faro bank and was
therefore wealthy; he had just shot
out mans eye, and was therefore
| gleefal. When he entered the place
he struck the bar with his hat and
swore that every man must take a
| drink. Wild Bill said that he didn't
mind taking something and Visscher
made no objection whatever, but
Crawford remarked that he did not
drink. '.But," said he ''to be sociable
[ will take a cigar with you"
| The swashbuckler looked at him
scornfully and said: No, you'll not
take a cigar"
"Well, then, I'll take lemonade"
you'll not do that, you'll take
whisky"
But" Crawford protested, Il never
took drink of whisky in my life"
"Well, then, it's time to take one.
Come on here" and he laid rude hands
on Crawford's garments. Then Wild
Bill mildly protested. At this the
terror of the plains flew into a fit OF
fury. DO you want to take it up?''
he howled. 1t was evident that he
was not personally acquainted with
Bill.
"Well, yes, as l haven't anything
else on hand at present, / believe that
[ feel little like taking it up" and
with that he knocked the fellow down.
| And now the swashbuokler, though
on the floor, was in his glory he had
an excuse to indulge his sentimental
yearning for slaughter and he reached
for his pistol. But with a movement
flash like in its quickness, Bill had
him covered with an iron that had
killed twenty men. At this moment
a man who had just entered the saloon
quietly remarked: ''Helloa, Wild
| Bills got another sucker"
Hold onw the terror howled. care
you Wild Bill?"
| Iudb Wudu llcy Oo,il ulO-
| "Well, now. | want to say that your
friend may take wa-what he pleases.
And to show you that I'm sorter soci-
able inclined, I'll take lemonade my
| self"
! This incident appealed to the quick
instincts of Visscher. He was ten
derfoot, and was therefore impression
able. A few days later he was in a
mining town, broke. He had nothing
save honor and appetite. Honor
could take care of itself, but appetite
| must be humored. The truth is, he
wanted great deal of ''licker' and he
| wanted it at once. He went to several
saloons, but no one asked him to drink.
and he was too proud to mint that he
ought to be invited. That was where
honor was the enemy of appetite.
A thought struck him; an idea nimbly
tripped across his poetic fancy. He
recalled the Wild Bill-incident and he
would turn it to account. He went
| into saloon and sat down near table
he threw himself back and began to
talk. Fine lot of people out here,'
/ u.
ed lot of men. [ saw rough just
now force a poor fellow to take drink
of whisky. I'd like to see man try
that game on me; catch me pouring
stuff down my throat merely to crafty
the whim of fool. There's nobody
in this town that can make me take a
drink. I've come here to foster the
| Murphy movement"
A lank cowboy turned from the bar
and gave Visscher a searching look.
"My friend" said he, "aint you putty
bold?"
"You bet I'm bold"
"And you won't take drink?"
No, 1 won't"
do you want to know what you'll
do? You'll just take six right now.
| Come here" He drew his revolver.
Visscher began to stammer.
"My friend" he said, in hope that
the fellow would make it twelve, Il
never took drink in my life"
THAT SO? Well you'll take six
right now. Barkeeper, put six drinks
on the bar, just a foot apart" And
when the barkeeper had done this the
cowboy added: Now, Mr. Pinkfoot,
you begin at that end and drink your
way down here"
Visscher mumbled uhat he had left
his pistol at the hotel.
Il don't care anything for your
pistol drink your way down here"
Visscher made the journey with but
a breath between each glass, and the
cowboys roared with laughter; but a
chill fell upon their mirth when Viss-
cher remarked: Gentlemen, if you'll
have these glasaes filled again I'll
drink my way back"