The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-11
ALKALI IKE AND HIS PARD.
Some Mistaken Popular Impressions
i'm Regard to the Rough Riders.

n few afternoons ago a man from this
city drove down to Bergen Point. He
stopped at the wayside hotel to rest i'm
the breezes of the bay. On the piazza
there were two sun-browned men in
the well-known cavalry uniform. OF
course, they were rough riders. The
man from the city asked them To join
in what is done the world over when
there is n meeting of one kind of men.
and they accepted with the grace of
Ions practice.
The two adventures fell TO telling
stories, while the man from the city
continued to supply from time to time
his part of the entertainment. One Of
the riders was a tail, lean. muscular
man, with a six weeks growth Of beard
and the ends of his black hair begin
ming to curl over the top of his coat
collar. He swore volubly, used pictu-
rescue and unusual slang, and spat to-
bacco juice frequently in the direction
OF the statue of Liberty. The man from
the city recognized him at once
as Alkali Ike or one of his pards. The
second rider was n wiry little man who
had very l;ttie to say about anything.
The man from the city found his
new acGuaintances so interesting that
the sun had disappeared before he was
ready to return. Just as he was ready
to drive away man came out of the
hotel end lighted a lamp that stood on
a post near the road. AS soon as IL
was seen by the picturesque individual
with the long hair and the swagger he
pulled out his revolver and emptied ii
at the lamp with an orthodox cowboy
yell. The man from the city was sur
pr,sed to see that the lamp withstood
the bom5ardment unscathed.
The little mans fingers began to
twitch when his companion began
shooting. He presently borrowed the
gun, showed home two cartridges. and
Strengthened his wrist twice. The first
shot went through the glass globe three
inches above the flame and the second
cut away the top of the wick.
Hum" said the man from the city.
"Where did you learn to do that?'
I'm Texas" answered the quiet little
man.
And you? Where do you llve?" was
asked the big one.
Me? Oh, I'm from Duchess coun-
ty." And ne spat once more at the
statue OF Liberty.
The other day n sportsman went up
into the country To do some early fall
shooting. At noon he stopped for
luncheon at "a little tavern. and was
soon the subject Of interested rural oh
servations. one OF the party little
more determined i'm the pursuit of
knowledge than the others finally in
terrogated him.
what yer don' here?" he asked.
Hunting" returned the sportsman.
"Huntin'? Huntin' whatY'
"Partridges," returned the hunter.
"Pa'tridges? HUH That must seem
purty small game. don't it?"
We'll" admitted the other. 81 have
shot bigger game
This was received as a pleasantly,
and was acknowledged with chuckles.
Col durn I'll How does IL feel tkill
a man. anyhow" continued the spokes-
man.
Don't know. I'm sure"
You don't say. Aw. ! see. yeh don't
think them dagos Is men-haw! haw!
Say. when yeh goin' back Vest
West? I'm not going West"
"Aw. yeh enlisted from the East. did
yeh2"
Look here. said the hunter. q ray
of light breaking upon him, What do
YOU take me FOR. anyhow
why. yer one O. them rough riders
be'ant yeh2'
IL will bc long time before the gray
slouch hat. the canvas clothes. and the
ieggins of the rough riders will be as
sociatcd with anything but an invad-
ing army.-The sun. q