Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-29
A RIVER YARN.

az worked aboard the Belle Honore, a
passenger steamer Of the speedy class that
piled between Cincinnati and New Or
leans, and had a very comfortable berth.
We wcro a harmonious little colony, we of
tho lower deck, pulling together with
will and never quarreling. That last is
point worth noting, as perhaps you are
well aware. Then, too our captain suited
us. He was a quiet man, hut firm, with
the knack of winning by kindness what
others gain by discipline and no and the
crew never ran counter of one another.
"I}ut trouble is bound to occur sooner
or later-it always does The djscordant
element came among us one day at the
Cincinnati wharf in the person of Jim
Bowling new hand. The captain
thought he had jewel in him, and so he
had as far as physical strength went, for
Jim was a perfect giant in stature and
musClCd like II Hercules, but il did not
take us long to learn that he was bully
of the deepest dye. We expected war and
we were not mistaken.
"Rclying on his might he set systcmat-
ically to work to COW the crew, and with
the more timid he soon succeeded. They
were afraid to call their souls their own in
his presence while the holder spirits were
driven to the ragged edge of mutiny. 1t
was of little use to make stand individu-
ally against him, his strength being irwin
cible.
Ellis methods were outrageous, but
seemed to spring rather from recklessncss
than from Unborn brutality. l don't be-
lieve he realized tho effect of his strength.
One of his tricks was 70 twist his victims
arms behind him, force him on to his
knees and hold him there until he begged
for mercy. Another was to trip him up
suddenly and send him sprawling on the
deck. | myself had the pleasure of being
lifted bodily and pitched headforemost
into one of the boats that CHANGED to be half
full of filthy water.
"This couldn't last, of course, and the
end came suddenly one dark night when
it was least expected. We of the crew were
alone on the lower deck and had been
cracking jokes and telling yarns by the
dim light of tho lanterns. Among our
number was a little man Of retiring habits
who had Joined us nearly year before
We called him Cuppy and liked him well
because Of the sweetness of his disposition
and his willingness to do us good turn
on any and all OCCASIONS but who he was
or where he came from no one knew. His
silence on this point naturally piqued us,
and many were tho romantic theories cir
culatod about him, but he never sanctioned
any of these by word or sign. So our knowl-
edge began and ended with the nickname
that he bore.
"Now. for some reason, Bowling had
thus far left this little man in peace,
which was the more surprising to us in
that bully generally attacks the weakest
of party first. We were not sorry for the
omission, none of us wishing to see Cuppy
abused, but his turn came now, and during
pause in the conversation the giant or
dered the pygmy out to enliyon the festivi-
ties with dance.
Poor Cuppy! He seemed to curl up
and shrink into himself at the sound, but
he didn't bulge an inch. Bowling repeat
ed his command with an oath, and the
further to enforce it arose and seized his !
victim by the collar. And then came a
transformation as unexpected as it was
gratifying to the spectators. Cuppy no
sooner felt that great paw closing upon
him than he gained his feet rs if eectri-
fled, caught Bowling lightninglike blow
in the face and went over the back of his
chair with the agility of cat. 1t passed
so quickly that it took our breath away.
1.-The giant staggered, more from sur
prise than from the force of the blow, and
involuntarily clapped his hand to his
bloody nose. Then, swearing furiously, he
made a lunge for the little man. and there |
was a general overturning Of chairs and !
benches and scramble to see the result.
"Cuppy made for a clear space in the !
forward part Of the deck, peeling off his !
coat. Did he intend to plunge in and |
swim for it? 1t looked that way, and some |
one called out to him to beware of the |
wheel. But no; such was not his inten-
ton, for no sooner had he reached the
opening than he turned at bay
Bowling was at his heels He made
side bound, eluding the latter's out
stretched arms, and caught him a second
singing blow on the ear. The awakening
of the little man was wonderful; his face
flushed, his eyes cleaned, he appeared en-
dowed with the elasticity of india rubber.
His movements were too speedy for the eye
to follow and not for a second did he re-
main in one spot. AS Bowling turned he
struck him in tho face, again eluded his
savage grasp and returned to the attack.
We could see that his blows were leveled
at the giants eyes, for, they once closed
he would hold him at his mercy.
And we? Well, you can never imagine
our sensations at seeing the man who had
bullied and abused us thus taken in hand
and thrashed by the weakest of our num-
Der, as we had supposed We cheered our
champion to the echo and all but went
into Mysteries in our excitement.
ffTQntu1inrg 10
rom that moment Cuppy sailed in and
won hands down. AT the best the formers
yast strength was slow and unwieldy, and
10 now 1loundered about like boat with
,ut rudder, making vicious blows at
,pace and winding himself by the unusual
'iolence Of his exertions. Had he got his
hands on his antagonist he could have
rushed the life out Of him and would
have done so in his rage but
hat is precisely what Cuppy took care he
should not do.
lit was magnificent the way that little
nan played upon his eyes until they were
Is tight shut as a day old kittens and
hen proceeded to pay off all our debts
With interest. In two minutes he had
Bowling leaning helplessly against a cot
on bale, too groggy to see or hear and al
most too weak to stand And that finish
ng blow on the point Of the jawl Well, it
vas o beauty, equal to Fitzsimmons' best.