The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-10-08
(Chicago Inter-OceanD

There are four men in Chicago who
will never forget Silas Tatman's visi,
to the city. 1t will be many days be
lore those same men vii. be able to
show up at the depots again to prev
on The confidence of rural strangers.
When Slias came TO town Saturday
he came with the avowed intention OIL
revenglng himself On a smoothspoken
youEg man who rad met him on a
former visit and had relieved him q
a carpet sack containing the visitor S
money and return ticket. He did
not expect to encounter the same fell
low, but made up his mind to admin
lSter to the first man who claimed to
know him the warmest reception the
sCOundrel had ever met with.
Tatman came in from Bunkum.
Bunkum IS not on the map, and one
could so TO the place with a repeating
rifle and Shoot all the inhabitants with
out rcloading. But small as it is, it
can boast of citizen who outwitted
four of the Cleverest econ" men in
F, Chicago.
! Bunkum is also renowned for its
large hornets nests and the warlike
and "grouchy" disposition of their oc-
cupants. In Tatman's hog lot hung
one of these nests from the limb OF
locust tree. 1t was gigantic speci-
men and the terror of the neighbor-
| hood.
The morning Silas left for Chicago
he went out in the hog lot early, be-
fore the hornets were astir. He took
with him an Old green carpet bag,
and this he opened and slipped care
fully around the oblong nest, closing
the clasp quickly without losing hor-
net. When he took the train later in
the day he smiled with delight as he
thought of the narrowing scene that
would take place when the carpet bag
was opened.
When Siias arrived at the depot, in
s;ead of going to the hotel he sat down
in the smoking room and waited. H
mission was similar to that of a coh-
dencc man. He was in quest of a
stranger who would cultivate his &C.
quaintance only to rob him of his hor-
nets and regret it to his dying day
Occasionally Farmer Tatman would
look down at the carpet bag. AS he
did he shook with glee.
The Bumknm farmer had not beer
seated five minutes wien he was ap,
preached by fellow with sharp, in
quisitive nose and checked suit. "Ah
hal" thought Tatman as the stranger
extended his hand, "I've got you, l
reckon"
Il believe | know you," said the
sharp nosed individual. "Let me see
you are from -
"Bunkum," replied Tatman.
"To be sure; Bunkum. And YOU
name IS
"Tatman.
"Why, of course. How are yon Mr.
Tatman?'
"Tolerable," and Tatman looked
down at his hornets and chuckled.
"My nl,n IS & lnningham,' went on
the stranger, grasping one of Sllas
hands in both o: his own. "Iou re
member, was visiting in Bunkum {
few years ago with Banker-a-
Oh, | never can remember names
You know who mean, though
He's the principal banker in you1
town.
There never was banker wi,hIr
twenty miles of Bunkum, but Farme
TatmanAas playing a hand, 50 hs
said, "know m? Well, | shou'C
say | do. You mean the old Squire
Jones'"
clones of course. Ha, ha, ha
Strange | couldn't remember The
name"
"Ha. ha, ha, Twas kinder funny
and Sllas fairly danced with joy. %.
rtcknn thar haln't a nice quiet little
place somewhere where a feller car
talk with a friend what he amt seer
for nigh Oh to two years. This wa:
inst what Cunningham wanted.
..Oh, yes,' SAID he in his sot'es'
tone. Il know just the place. us no
over block from here
..Then, reckon we nigh, as wei
90 if you're sure its safe walking
through the streets with as mucf
money as I've got in this here satch
el."
At the word money Silas detected
an expression of eagerness and pleasure
on the scoundrel's face, and the tel
lows fingers seemed to itch as the tive
walked along.
"Arn't you afraid,' said he, "of BE-
ing robbed?' -.
"Well, you just bet yer sweet llfs
the fellow who opens old Silas lat
mans valise will be sorry, and IN
Bunkum farmer smiled inwardly.
Here Cunningham turned on III
lie side street leading his friend by IN
arm. About half way down the bloc
they turned into a dark and dingy
looking .aloon. Cunningham spok
familiary to the bar keeper, who q
rected them to a wine room IN tn
back of the place. The two Sc
down at the table and were jolne
presently by three other men. On
Of them was a fat man, who tried
get Tatman to play cards 'Just t(
fun"
, Another one Of the men wore
. white vest and polka dot neck'le. Il