Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-10-30
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 mp
at the depots again to prey on the con-
fdence Of rural strangers.
When Silas came to town, no came
with the avowed intention Of revenRing
himself on smooth spoken young man
who had met him on former visit and
had relieved him Of oarpetsaok 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 tho first man who
claimed to know him the warmest recep-
ton 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 rife
and shoot all the inhabitants without
reloading. But. small AZ 1t il, 1t can
boast Of citizen who outwitted four
of the cleverest ''con" men in Chicago.
Bunkum il also renowned for its 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.
1t was u 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 oarpetbag, 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 tho day.
no smiled with delight M he thought OF
| the narrowing scene that would take
place when the carpetbag was opened.
When Sihs arrived at the depot, in
stead OF going to the hotel he sat down
in the smoking room and waited. His
mission " ~ similar to that Of the conf
dence man. He was in quest of 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
| carpotbag. As no did no no shook with
glcc.
The BunlSum farmer had not been
| seated five minutes when no was mp
preached by fellow with sharp. in
| quisitive nose aud checked suit. "Ah,
hat" Thought Tatman, as tho stranger
extended his hand. eve got you.
II believe | know you said the
sharp noscd individual Let me see,
you are from
"Bunkum," replied Tatman.
''To be sure--Bunkum. And your
name is
"ratman.
"Why, Of course. How are you. Mr..
Tatman?'
"Tolorable. -" And Mr.. Tatman looked
down ut his hornets and chuekled. :
my names Cunningham, went on
the stranger, grasping ono of Silas'
hands in both his own. "You remember
| was visiting Bunkum few years ago
with Banker-a-oh, l never can re-
member names You know who | mean.
though. He's tho principal banker In
| your town.
There never was "a banker within 20
miles OF Bunkum, but Farmer Tatman
was playing hand, 30 he said: Know
'im2 Waal, should say | do. You mean
old Squire Joncs?'
Zones. of course. Ha, ha, hal Strange
| coujdnt remember tho name.
"Ha, ha, ha! Twas kinder funny. I"
And Silas fairly danced with joy. II
reckon thar ANITA nice quiet little place
somewhere where Teller can talk with
"a friend what he mint seen for nigh on
TO two year. This was just what Gun.
ningham wanted.
"a 10 L. T. do t,..,
II know just the place. It's not over a
block from here
"rhen reckon we might M well 90
| IL you re sure it's safe walking through
| the streets with as much money az 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 II 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 faInil-
iarly TO the barkeeper. who directed
them "a a wineroom in the back Of the
place. The two sat down at the table
and were Joined presently by three 9TH
or men. One Of them WAS fat man,
who tried to get Tatman to play cards
lust for fun. y H.H
Another one Of the men wore white
vest and polka dot necktie. He did
al the talking, and after Cunningham
had whispered few words In the fell
lows ear he could hardly keep his eyes
of the carpetbag. He was introduced
TO Tatman as Thomas W. Bloomfield,
the board of trade man.
at seems, Mr. Tatman. said Bloom
Geld, chat you are very careless with
your money. Mr. Cunningham tells mt
that you carry 1t In your satchel.
"You bet have got q lot OF none,
in that ere old carpetbag. l was kinde
thinkin Of speculatin with IT,. "
perhaps You would like TO have m
invest it in wheat. think you coult
make big stake
Pm kinder 'fraid Of losin IL. !"
"Oh, not at all; not il it's we'll in
vested People only lose their none
through carelessness But Of oours
some one has to lose money to keep tn
stuff properly in circulation. "
WAL, hain't got much money
lose aud Pm feared il / WAS TO ope