The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-30
A RIVER YARN.


leans, and had very comfortable berth.
We were a harmonious little colony, we Of
the lower deck, pulling together with a
Will and never quarreling. That last Is q
point worth noting, as perhaps you are
we'll aware. Then, too, our captain suited
US. He was a quiet man, but firm, with
the knack of winning by kindness what
others gain by discipline, and he and the
crew never ran counter of one another.
But trouble is bound to occur sooner
or later-it always does. The discordant
element came among US one day at the
Cincinnati wharf in the person of Jim
Bowling new hand. The captain
thought he had a jewel in him, and so he
had as far as physical strength went, for
Jim was a perfect giant in stature and
muscled like Ii Hercules, but it did not
take US long to learn that he was bully
of the deepest dye. We expected war and
We were not mistaken.
Relying on his might, he set systemat-
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 tho ragged edge of mutiny. It
was of little use to make q stand individu-
ally against him, his strength being irwin
chile.
His methods were outrageous, but
6CSlI00 W spring TaUnGf from T6GAt6SSQC6S
than from Unborn brutality. 1 don't be-
1ieve he realized the effect of his strength.
One of his tricks was to twist his victim
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 I myself had the pleasure of being
lifted bodily and pitched headforeInost
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 the lanterns. Among our
number was little man of retiring habits
who had Joined us nearly year before.
We called him Cuppy and liked him we'll
because of the sweetness of his disposition
and his Willingness to do US a 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 the romantic theories cir
culated 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.
Nov. for some reason, Bowling had
thus far left this little man in peace
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 enHven 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
T. &f,o
further to enforce it arose and seized his
victim by tho collar And then came
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 as if electri-
fed, caught Bowling lightninglike blow
in the face and went over the back Of his
chair with the agility of a 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 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 of his
coat. Did he intend to plunge in and
swim for it9 It looked that way, and some
Ouo S3ll0u OuG 10 u11l W R6HdTS VI b4S
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 1atter's out
stretched arms, and caught him second
stingiDg blow on the ear. The awakening
of the little man was wonderful; his face
flushed, his eyes cleaned, he appeared en-
dowed with this elasticity of india rubber.
g.
to follow, and not for second did he re-
main in one spot. AS Bowling turned he
struck him in the face, again eluded his
savage grasp and returned TO the attack.
We could see that his blows were leveIsd
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.
Bowling lost his head at once, and
from that moment Cuppy sailed in and
won hands down. At the best the formers
vast strength was slow and unwieldy, and
he now foundered about like boat with
out a rudder, making vicious blows at
space and winding himself by the unusual
violence of his exertions. Had he got his
hands on his antagonist he could have
crushed the life out of him and would
undoubtedly have done SO in his rage, but
that is precisely what Cuppy took care he
should not do.
ut was magnificent the way that little
man played upon his eyes until they were
as tight shut as day old kittens and
then proceeded to pay off all our debts
with interest. In two minutes he had
Bowling leaning helplessly against cot
ton bale, too groggy to see or hear and al
most too weak to stand. And that fnish-
ing blow on the point Of the jaw! Well, it
was beauty, equal to Fitzsimmons' best,
and it stretched the bully on the deck for
the next quarter of an hour
1--WE got Cuppy on our shoulders and we
yelled ourselves hoarse, which, happily,
did not reach the captains ears owing to
1.-THE noise made by the dancers above, and
thus, curiosity overcoming US, we demand