Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-11-20
A FARMER GOT EVEN.

There are four men in Chicago who
will never forget Silas Tatman's visit
to the city. twill be many days before
those same men will be able to show up
at the depots again to prey on the con-
fidence Of rural strangers.
When Silas came to town, he came
with the avowed intention Of revengine
himself on a smooth spoken young man
who had met him on former visit and
had relieved him Of a oarpetsack con.
tanning 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 warmest recep-
tion the scoundrel had ever met with.
Tatman came in from Bunkum. Bun
KUN is not on the map, and one could
go to the place with a repeating rifle
and shoot all the inhabitants without
reloading. But, small as it is, it can
boast Of citizen who outwitted four
Of the cleverest ICON" men in Chicago.
Bunkum is also renowned for it's large
hornets nests and the warlike and
"grouchy" dispositions Of their occu-
pants. In Tatman's hog lot hung one Of
these nests from limb Of locust tree.
It was a gigantic specimen and the ter
ror of the neighborhood.
The morning Silas left for Chicago
he went out in the hog lot very early,
before the hornets were astir. He took
with him an old green carpetbag, and
this he opened and slipped carefully
around the oblong nest, closing the
clasp quickly without losing hornet.
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 carpetbag 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 conf
dence man. He was in quest of a stran-
ger who would cultivate his acquaint-
ance only to rob him Of his hornets and
regret it to his dying day. Occasionally
Farmer Tatman would look down at his
carpetbag. As he did SO he shook with
glee.
The Bunkum farmer had not been
seated five minutes when he was ap-
preached by a fellow with sharp. in
quisitive nose and a checked suit. "Ah,
hal'' thought Tatman, as the stranger
extended his hand. 'I've got you.
II 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 isl
''Tatman."
"why, Of course. How are you, Mr..
Tatman?"
''Tolerable. - And Mr.. Tatman looked
down at his hornets and ohuckled.
my names Cunningham, (" went on
the stranger, grasping one Of Silas'
hands in both his own. "You remember
I was visiting Bunkum a few years ago
with Banker-a-oh, never can re-
member names You know who mean,
though. He's the principal banker in
your town..
There never was banker within 30
miles Of Bunkum, but Farmer Tatman
was playing hand, so he said: "Know
i'm? Waal, ! should say Ido You mean
old Squire Joness"
"Jones, Of course. Ha, ha, hal Strange
couldn't remember the name"
''Ha, ha, hal Twas kinder funny"
And Silas fairly danced with joy. II
reckon thar ANITA nice quiet little place
somewhere where feller can talk with
friend what he amt seen for nigh on
to two year." This was just what Cum
ningham wanted.
"Oh, yes, said he in his softest tone.
II know just the place It's not over a
block from here.
''Then I reckon we might as we'll 60
If you're sure it's safe walking through
the streets with az much money as I've
got in this here satchel.
At the word money Silas detected an
expression Of eagerness and pleasure on
the scoundrel's face, and the fellows
fingers seemed to itch as the two walked
along.
"Ain't you afraid. " said he, "of be-
ing robbed?'
"Waal, 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 little
side street, leading his friend BY the
arm. About half way down the block
they turned into dark and dingy look
ing saloon. Cunningham spoke famil.
iarly to the barkeeper. who directed
them 70 ) wineroom in the back Of the
place. The two sat down at the table
and were Joined presently BY three 9TH
er men. One Of them was fat man,
who tried to get Tatman to play cards
''just for fun. =
Another one Of the men wore white
vest and q polka dot neoktie. He did
all the talking, and after Cunningham
had whispered few words in the fell
lows ear he GOULD hardly keep his eyes
of the carpetbag. He was introduced
to Tatman a. Thomas w. Bloomfield,
the board Of trade man.
1T seems, Mr.. Tatman. " ssid Bloom
field THAT xnu are varv cneh.ss with
e5SN A 81 M ssas. q9t ~ "A N .e II is