Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-11-19
saint Maru's Beacon
A rAsmER GOT EVEN.

man Vl6it 70 the city. ~ VIII DC
many days before those same men
will be able to show up ct the de-
pots again to prev on the confidence
Of rural strangers.
When Silas came to town, he
came with the avowed intention Of
revenging himself on o smooth
spoken young man who had met
him on former visit and relieved
him of a carpetsack containing the
visitors money and return ticket.
He did not expect 10 encounter the
same fellow, bat made up his mind
to administer TO the first man who.
claimed to know him the warmest
reception the scoundrel had ever
met with.
Tatman came in from Bunkum.
Bunkum 10 not on the map. and
one could go to the place with re-
peating rife and shoot all the in
habitants without relosding. But
small as it is, IL can boast of cit
izen who outwitted four of the clev-
crest "con" men in Chicago.
Bunkum is also renowned for its
large hornets nests and the war
like and "grouchy" dispositions Of
their occupants. In Tatman's hog
lot hung one of these nests from
a limb OF a locust tree. It was a
gigantic specimen and the terror Of
the neighborhood.
The morning Silas left for Chi
csgo he went ont in the hog lot very
early, before the hornets were astir.
He took with him an old green car
pet bag, and this he opened and
slipped carefully around the oblong
nest, closing the clasp quickly and
cutting of the nest without losing
a hornet. When he took the train
later in the day, he smiled with de-
light as he thought Of the harrow
ing scene that would take place
when the carpetbag was opened.
When Silas arrived at the depot,
instead of going to the hotel he sa,
down in the smoking room and
waited. His mission was similar t.
that Of the confidence man. I'll,
was in quest of a stranger who
would cultivate his acquaintance
only to rob him of his hornets and
regret it to his dying day. Occs
sionally Farmer Tatman would loos
down at his carprtbag. AS he die
so he shook with glee.
The Bunkum farmer had mo-
been FIVE minutes when he was ap
preached by a fellow with a sharJ
ihquisitive nose and a checked suit
All, ha! thought Tatman, as the
stranger extended his hand. "I'v,
got you"
i believe ] know you,' said tn,
sharp nosed individual. Let m,
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 Mr.. Tatmau
looked down at his hornets and
chuckled.
My names Cunningham went
on the stranger, crashing one oi
Silas' hands in both his own. You
remember | was visiting Bunkum
a Few years ago with Banker-a-
oh, l never can remember names
You know who | mean, though
He's the principal banker in YOU
town.
There never was q banker withir
20 miles of Bunkum. but farme,
Tatman Was playing hand, so h,
said Know i'm ? WAL. | shout ID
say do. You mean old SOUR,
Jones p
Jones. of coarse. Ha, ha, ba
Strange, | couldn't remember the
name
Ha, ha, Ia = Twas kinder fun.
n.y.. Aud Silas fairly danced with
JOY. Il reckon thar amt a mic.
quiet little place somewhere where
Teller can talk with a friend wha,
he amt seen for nigh on two year.
This was just what Cunningham
wan.ed.
oh, yes,' said he in his softes,
tone Il know just the place. IL.
not over block from here.
Then / reckon we might as vel
60 il you're sure it's safe watkins
through the streets with as mucl
money as I've got liz this here satch
ell
At the word money Silas datactaf