The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-25

ing tired of the monotonous life In
Deadwood. they decided to make a visit
To Pierre. After a few preliminary
Jokes they took the old rickety stage
across the cattle country rather than
attempt the long, circuitous trip by
rail. When the stage was in the Nlcln-
ity of Bad river, Partner Tom decided
to appease his appetite at a wayslde
ranch house. While he was within a
sudden inspiration seized Partner Bill.
He passed 81 to the stage driver, VINO
did as instructed, and began to lash the
horses madly with his whip. OF course
Partner Tom had TO run through snow
for a mile before he overlook the stage.
Reaching the vehicle at last, he calmly
took his seat and made some joking
remark about the weather. This rouse
Partner Bits suspicious. as he surmlsed
that something was in the wind. for ne
knew by past experiences that this as
sumed good nature on the part OF MS
friend foreboded evil. When the stage
finally pulled up before n hotel at
Pierre. and the benumbed passengers
alighted I'm about six feet OF snow, the
usual hotel loafers greeted them, not
outstanding the fact that IL was long
past midnight. The tired partners re-
tired at once. vowing tina they would
never attempt the journey across the
cattle country again.
Partner Tom was up early the fol-
lowing morning, and strolled down n
the hotel office. He was amazed TO ma
the room crowded with loud-talking, en-
cited men. who turned and gazed at
him. Naturally becoming somewhat dis
turbed at their comments. he attempted
to unravel the mystery. Before an OPP
portunity was given. however. a tall,
Misunderstanding individual. in high-
hnAln1 hnntG annTnnRhPd MINI anu
asked:
".How's your prisoner this mornin'?
Somewhat taken aback at this ques-
ton, Tom asked curtly:
What prisoner
by this time the entire assemblage
had crowded around him, and were ask
ing all kinds of questions concerning
maniacs. prisoners, convicts n other
subjects so foreign to Tom that he al
most lost his temper. Before he had
time to make further inquiries. a man
rushed up e him and said. defiantly:
Now, look here. you think that we
don't know who you are. but we do
You're the sheriff of Deadwood, n you
has got a crazy man. takin' him to
the 'sylum. We know all about you. You
amt so smart as you think you are.
You can't fool US. No. stree
by this time Partner Tom under
$1,000 the entire SITUATION. since tne man
had let the cat out oS the bag. He re-
membered that the sheriff was expected
the night before with the celebrated
maniac from Bea gulch. So. seized with
an inspiration. he began to explain with
JUNCTION that he had no desire to de-
ceive the public. but for prudential rea-
sons did not think IL wise TO disclose his
Identity on account of the wild charac-
ter Of the maniac in his charge. He
continued further. that. as he had been
discovered. IL was perhaps as well for
him TO explain all.
You must remember. gentlemen"
he said to the crowd. in a mysterious
tone. 4 have enc Of the widest maniacs
in the world in my charge. and II you
will not become alarmed permit me TO
state that he is now unclaimed in his
room. I came down stairs To ask FOR
volunteers TO assist in the work of plac-
ing the man In irons and also 4 compel
him To partake OF food. He is subject
To whims and caprices OF the most ex-
traordinary Character. Coming over
on the stlge he tried To eat all the cnsh-
ions. but ! regret 10 say that I nave
not been able to induce him TO eat m
FOO for two weeks. I would like to
know o many men will volunteer to