Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-05-05
A srounsaIneer,s Revenge.

One of the most striking characters that
ever lived In tho character gathering com
munity of Hot Springs. Ark. was old
Stephen Rutherford He kept a sort of
roadhouse. which he designated as Bear
Park, and made his living by administer
ing 10 she Thirst and catering to the amuse-
| ment OF the wayfariug nan- The amuae-
ment consisted Of a black bear-old, lazy
and flea bitten. This animal, advertised as
of most furious disposition, was kept
chained to tree In the back lot, and at
evening when the accommodating dusk
threw q hiding shade over the bears most
striking faults. G., laziness and flea bites
old Steve would announce to his guests
that he was now about to engage In the
dangerous feat OF wrestling with the Zero
cious monster from the Mississippi swamps.
Those who knew the trick drank their beer
In unconcern. but those who did not paid
% cents and passed into the back lot 70 see
the desperate encounter.
One afternoon. when old Steve was sit
ting on his veranda, a man from the moun-
tains came along. driving red mule and a
white steer hitched to a shaky and creaky
wagon. In the wagon there were q few
small cabheges and black hear.
Say" said the mountain man. stopping
his team. don't you want to buy the finest
| bar you ever scent"
"No,' Steve replied. Got all the bar
want"
"But you Amt got no sech bar as this
here one"
.'No. and don't want no sech kitten Of
thing as that"
.sNow, look here. mister, that ain't no
way TO do--insult mans bar. Thave trav-
eled rs miles with this bar. and you air the
fusf man that has offered him a insult.
u.
that 4 due bar that amt never done you
no harm. But putin that all 10 one side.
let me ask you seriously II you want TO buy
. blartp
II told you that I've got all the bar
want" old Steve sharply replied.
The mountain man gathered up his hick-
DRY fiail an II he would drive on. but then.
with the appearances OF having changed his
mind, stretched his long neck toward old
Steve and saids
when you say you've got ali the bar
you want. reckon you mean that mouse
gnawed and bug eat invalid out yander I'm
the back lot"
Steve got up. and mastering his anger
aud attempting 20 speak In a quiet way
saids Il have been Twin here good while
and lharned how to be smooth In my man
ners, but when Eaan that amt never
peStered In no way comes along here and
wiilfully insults a member OF my family.
why. it's time for me 20 act. %
Il don't know nothin about yo' family
and wouldn't. ther'fo'. insult member OF
it.h the mountain man replied. .You said
that this here bar is kitten of thing,
and then said that the bar over yander in
the lot Is bug eat. and / am. willln to
leave i 20 any jury that can be raked up In
this town that am right. ] know what IL
b 70 be bug cat, and don't blame the bar,
for don't reckon be could helpit had
Cog once that was bng eat--as kind hearted
and gentIemanly q dog as you ever seem
and didn't hold him responsible Say,
now, without any mo- foolishness, don't
You want 10 buy a BARI
Steve placed his hand on post TO steady
himself He locked NJ the mountain man
with All the contempt he could throw into
his watery eyes. and then, still under so
strong restraint that the hagRy knees Of
bis trousers quivered. thus delivered him
self:
II am tryin to make an honest llvin, and
hope 70 Join the church some day, bnk Il
You don't 20 away from here I'll hurt you,
and III make IL pint Of hnrtin YOU