, 1897-04-14
A FARMER GOT EVEN,

IA I'M lIll jul LN Nm.
There arc four men in Chicago who
will never forget Silas Tatman's visit
to the city. 1t twill be many days before
those same men will be able to show Mp
at the depots again to prey OH the con-
fidence of rural strangers.
When Silas came to town, he came
with the avowed intention of revenging
himself on a smooth spoken young man
who had met him Oh IA former visit and
had relieved him of a carpetsack 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-
ton the scoundrel had ever met with.
Tatman came in from Bunkum. Bun
KUN is no on the map, and one could
go to the place with n repeating rifle
and shoot all the inhabitants without
r%eloading. But, small as it is, it can
boast Of u citizen who outwitted four
Of the cleverest ICON" men in Chicago.
Bunkum is also renowned for its large
hornets ness and the warlike and
~"grouchy" dispositions of their occu-
pants. In Tatman's hog lot hung one of
these nests from u limb of u locust tree.
1t was a gigantic specimen and the ter
ror Of the neighborhood.
The morning Silas left for Chicago
he went out i'll the hog lot very early,
before the hornets were astir. He took
with him an old green carpetbae, and
this he opened and slipped carefully
around the Oblong nest, closing the
clasp quickly without losing n hornet.
When he took the train later in the day,
he smiled with delight us 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 oom and waited. His
mission was similar to that of the conf
dence man. He was in quest of IL 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 ut his
carpetbag. As he did SO he shook with
glee.
The Bunkum farmer had not been
seated five minutes when he was APP
preached by u fellow with u sharp, in
quisitive nose and u checked suit. "Ah,
hal" thought Tatman, as the stranger
extended his hand. 1--WE got you"
II believe l know you" said the
sharp nosed individual. "Let me see,
you are FROM
"Bunkum," replied Tatman.
ITO DO surc-Bunkum. And your
name Isl
"Tatman."
"Why, of course. How are you. Mr..
Tatman?"
"Tolerablc." And Mr.. Tatman looked
down Mt his hornets and chuckled.
my names Cunningham, p" went on
the stranger, grasping III of Silas'
hands in both his own. "You remember
I was visiting Bunkum u few years ago
with Banker-a-oh, l never can re-
member names. You know who l NEAR
though. He's the principal banker i'll
your town."
There never was a banker within go
miles of Bunkum, but Farmer Tatman
was playing a hand, so he said: "know
i'm? Waal, 1 should say dc. You mean
old Squire Jones?"
"Jones, of course. Ha, ha, hal Strange
I couldn't remember the name"
"Ha, ha, ha! Twas kinder funny"
And Silas fairly danced with joy. 81
reckon thar amt q nice quiet little place
somewhere where a Teller can talk with
q friend what he amt seen for nigh Oh
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 1 reckon we might IS well go
if you re sure it's safe walking through
the streets with US much money as I've
got in this here satchel."
At the word money Silas detected an
expression Of eagerness and pleasure on
the s%coundrel'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
inc IelloW VIII opelis oio ohAoS u
mans valise will be sorry." And the
Bunkum farmer smiled inwardly.
Here Cunningham turned on a little
side street, leading his friend by the
arm. About half way down the block
they turned into . dnk and dingy look
ing saloon. Cunningham spoke famii-
siafly to the ~barkeeper. who directed
them u q 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 n Fat man,
who tried to get Tatman to play cards
''just for fun"
Another one Of the men o . white
vest and q polka dot necktie. he did
all the talking. and after Cunningham
had whispered q few words In the fell
lows ear he could hardly keep his eyes
Oh the cafpetbag. he was introduced
10 Tstmsn - Thomas w. Bloomfield,
The board Of trade man.
Itseems NJ. Tatman. said Bloom.
6ald, "thAt you are very careless with
HATARRA