The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-03-17
"SKINSEY'S" SLIGHT MISTAKE.
He Intended to Wipe Up the Earth With a
Dude. but Failed.

ne intended TO Wipe Up the Earth With q
Dude. but Failed.
They were standing on Ridge avenue
"a crowd of toughs. all claiming resi-
dence in the near vicinity. Brave fell
lows, too, if one may judge from the
language that they used. Work? Oh,
yes! They work--work the ''growler"
all day If you are kind enough to put
up the little ten," as they comprehen-
sively express it. 1t was just after
they had procured the necessary" and
had returned from behind a freight
car, where each in turn had taken his
pull" from the kettle, the handle of
whitehead long since departed. One
answering to the name of "Skinsey"
was particularly brave.
''Oh! l cud just enjoy scrap now"
he murmured. I'm Jest itchin' fer
somebody ter hit me, so es kin swipe
him all over the earth. wisht some
body would say something to me-"
Nobody seemed inclined to oblige
him.
II amt had a scrap to-day" contin-
ued "Skinsey." I'm gettin' rusty fer
one. feel like cud jist put me fist
clean through some soak"
Still no one volunteered to.accommo-
date the bloodthirsty rounder.
just then tall, slender young man,
attired in the latest fashion and with
the slightest trace of down on the place
where a mustache usually vegetables,
sauntered up the street ''Skinsey"
spied him half block away.
Git on to his dudelets!'' he shouted.
''Oh, git on to de Willy! Wait an see
me have some fun with him."
The young man approached slowly,
entirely ignorant of theofact that any
body was waiting to have some fun
with him. AS he neared the group
"Skinsey" walked to the center of the
pavement and placed himself directly
across the path of the dude. The
dudes attention was occupied with
something else at the time and did not
notice the terror until he ran against
him.
"Ah! l beg pardon" he said politely.
'Its a wonder you wouldn't look
out where yer a-goin'r' exclaimed
"Skinsey," gruffiy.
THAT is what / thought / was do
ing" replied the dude, mildly.
you dudes think you owns the
streets, youse do, continued ''Skinsey,"
but you jist bet amt a-goin' ter let
any dude Teller queer me, see?"
The dude eyed him in establishment.
Are yer goin' ter 'pologize for run
min inter me?" demanded "Skinsey,"
threateningly.
81 think offered all the explanation
"Well. yer didn't, see? An if yer
don't I'll smash yer"
The dude looked rather foolish, but |
not bit scared
"Yer amt a-goin' ter 'pologize, eh?"
exclaimed "Skinsey." "Then take |
that" and he aimed blow at the dudes
face
But the dude didn't takeit. lie neatly
parried the blow, threw down his walk
ing stick and sailed in. Both his fists
shot out at once, and the next instant
''Skinsey" rolled down the pavement
into the gutter. Not one of the gang
dared interfere. They all stood by in
silent astonishment
The young man waited awhile for the
terror to come to time, and then, as
''Skinsey" showed no further DISPOSE
ton to fight secured his stick and,
turning to ''Skinsey," said:
I'm really sorry, you know. didn't
really want to fight, but you forced me-
However, here is ten cents; have one
On me-" And he sauntered off
"Skinsey" slowly gathered himself
together and looked after his con-
]ueror in astonishment Then, with a
'iclkly smile playing over his features,
ne proceeded to do the elegant with
the dime left by the dude -Philadel-
ohia Press.