The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-09
From Bunkum.

Silas Tatman came to town Satura
day with the avowed intention Of sreA
vepgiug himself on smooth -spokerIA
young man who had met him ON 81
former visit and had relieved him of Ga
carpet sack containing his money anSa
return ticket. "a
Tatman came in from BunkumI
Bunkula is renowned for its largs
hornets nests and the war-like ami
"grouchy" dispositions Of their oeet
pants. IS
When Silas arrived at the depot 81
instead of going to the hotel, III s|
sat down in the smokipg-room anle4
waited. 3!
The Bunkum farmer had not bee 81
seated Eve minutes when he was al
preached by fellow with a sharp, in
quisitive nose and. a checked suit
The stranger extended his hand. S. S,
II believe I know you, said he!5l
."You are from"
"Bunkum," replied Tatman. {
''To be sure; Bunkum, And your
name is"
''Tatman. q
Tatman?"
'sTolerable;" and Tatman looked
down at his grip sack and chuckled.
"My names Crlningha went on I
the stranger, grasping one Of Silas
hands in both his own. s'Ra, ha, sha
Strange I couldn't remember your
name. "
'Ha, ha, ha! Twas kinder funny. 4
I reckon thar hahn t nice quiet little
place somewhere where a fslicr can
talk with friend what he ain 7 Seen
for nigh on two year.. q q
ooh, yes" said CunniDgha m nm I'M his J
softest tone. II knowjust theplace,
not block from here. {;
"Then l I.reckon we might a.s well go
there if you're sure it's safe walking
through the streets with aa much nom
ey as I've got in this here sal;chel. =
The fellows fngers seemed to Itch
as the two walked along. lin e you
afraid" said he, 'of being iobbed
"Wall, you just bet yollr sweet life
the fellow who opens old Silas Iat-
man 8 valise will be sorry.
Cunningham turned ON alittle3side
street, leading his friend by the arm. 7.
About half way down the block they
entered q dark and diney.loi,k king sa-
loon. Cunningham spoke f,smiliarly
to the barkeeper, who dil.ected them
to room in the back If tllesplacss ssE
The two rat down at the table, and
were joined presently By thiee other
men. Gladsomely they tipped the
would-be investor upon thu wheatti
market, and guilelessly did lsusticus
hint at the precious yellow collte5tsof
his old green bag. The icons grew
impatient, and also Silas wac painting
for his revenge.
'sWell, gentlemen, said sEhe,
reckon I'd better be a-goin and I'd
like to leave that ere money Eiths
you, so as it II be safe while i hunt nps
stoppin' place. . s
The men were perfectly wiling to
accommodate Farmer Tatman, They
assured him that.the carpet bag and
it's contents would be perfectly safe.
and that they would be willing to3wait
until he came back. sSs
ssMuch obliged, gentlemen, z and
Tatman arose. s"Tisn't very. often
that a fellow meets such kind friends
as you are in . strange city, md it's
kinder sooGhin; ter know that 81 fell
lows leavin' his money with honest
people. I reckon'1'll be backsin about
an hour"
The fellows bowed him out. By
clever dodge he managed to slip the
key Of the door in his pockeG before
he left the room. He remained on the
outside long enough to turn the bolt
silently in the lock, after Which he s
entered the adjoining room.
In another instant a piercing yelp
rent the air. Whack! Crash! Bang u
The chairs were upturned uand thesti-:
BILE was tumbled over in the mad scramz<
bic for the door. ~
AS Silas slipped into the street, he
heard the door crash in al one Of the
men on the inside dealt it q blow with
a chair. Over his shoulder hs saw q I
stream of horDets sail after the bar
tender.
Twenty minutes later, from his re-
treat in the alley across the street,
Tatman saw his FIVE friends limpings
out of the saloon to the 4 ambulance i,
which had been backed up to Che curb
stone -Roston True Flag.