Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-12-11
Washin9tun Standard
Siias Tntman's Memorable visit 10
the CITY.
Bl'NC0ING.

the city.
There are four men in Chicago WIN
viii never forget Silas Tatman'> visit
to the city. 1t will be- many DAYS be
fore those saline men will he able To-
show up at the dtp0ts again to prey
on the confidence oi rural strangers.
When SilaS came To- town Saturday
he came with the avowcd intention Of
r-vcnglng himself on Il smUuthspoken
Young man who had met kim on a
former visit and had relieved him OF a
carpct-sack containing the visitors
money and return ticket. He did not
expect to encounter the same fellow,
but made up his mind to administer
to the first man who claimed to know
him the warmc>t reception the
scoundrel had ever met with.
Tatman came in from Bunkum.
Bunkum is not on the map, and one
could go to the place with u repeating
rifle and shoot all the inhabitants
without rcloading. But, small as it is,
it can boast of a citizen who outwitted
four OF the clcvcrest econ" men in
Chicago.
Bunkum is also renowned for its
large hornets nests and the warlike
and "grouchy" dispositions of their
occupants. In Tatman's hog lot
hung one of these nests from the
limb of a locust tree. 1t was gigan-
tic specimen, and the terror of the
neighborhood.
The morning Silas left for Chicago
he went out into the hog lot very
early, before the hornets were astir.
He took with him an old green carpet
bag, and this he opened and slipped
carefully around the oblong nest,
closing the clasp quickly without los
ing hornet. When he took the
train later in the day he smiled with
delight as he thought of the harrow
ing scene that would take place when
the carpet bag was opened.
When Silas arrived at the depot, in
stead of going to the hotel he sat
down in the smoking room and
waited. His mission was similar to
that of the confidence man. He was
in quest of stranger who would cult
waite his acquaintance only to rob him
of his hornets and regret it to his dy-
ing day. Occasionally farmer Tat
man would look down at his carpet
bag. As he did so he shook with
glee.
The Bunkum farmer had not been
seated five minutes when he was APP
preached by fellow with sharp, in
quisitive nose and a checkered suit.
"Ah, haw thought Tatman, as the
stranger extended his hand, "Pve got
you"
al believe l know YOU" said the
sharp-nosed individual. "Let me see,
you are from"
Bunkum," replied Tatman.
"To be sure; Bunkum. And your
name is"
"Tatman."
"Why, of course. How are you,
Mr.. Tatman"
"Tolerable," and Tatman looked
down at his hornets and chuckled.
"My names Cunningham" went
on the stranger, grasping one of Silas'
hands in both his own. "YOu re-
member was visiting in Bunkum
few years ago with banker-a-O,
/ never can remember names. You
know who l mean, though. He's the
principal barker in your town."
There never was banker within 20
miles of Bunkum, but farmer Tatman
was playing hand, so he said :
"Know i'm? Woll, should say do.
You mean old Squire Jones'"
Clones, of course. Ha, ha! Strange
couldn't remember the name"
"Ha, ha, ha! Twas kinder funny"
and Silas fairly danced with joy. II
reckon thor hain't nice quiet little
place somewhere where q Teller can
talk with friend what he hain't seen
for nigh on to two years." This was
just what Cunningham wanted.
40, yes" said he in his softest tone.
az know just the place. It's not over
block from here.
"Then reckon we might as we'll
60 if you're sure it's safe walking
through the streets with as much
money as I've got in this here satchel."
At the word money Silas detected
an expression of eagerness and pleas
ure on the scoundrels face, and the
fellows fingers seemed to itch as the
two walked along.
"Ain't you afraid" said he, "of be-
ing robbed~
"Woll, you just bet your sweet life
the fellow who opens old Silas Tat
mans valise will be sorry" and the
Bunkum farmer smiled inwardly.
Here Cunningham turned on a
little side street, leading his friend by
the arm. About half way down the
block they turned into dark and dingy-
looking saloon. Cunningham spoke
Familiarity to the barkeeper, who d.
rected them to q wine-room in the
back of the place.
The two sat down at the table and
were joined presently by three other
men. One of them was a fat man,
who tried to get Tatman to play