Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1898-03-11
TURNED THE TABLES.
How . Sharp Drummer Got the Best of .
Mexican Bandit.

How . Sharp Drummer Got the Best OF .
Mexican Bandit.
"From some of the reports circulated
in the east" said German p. Tetnew, of
Galveston, Tex, the other night, lone
is led to believe that the western, par
ticularly the far southwestern, citizen
is pretty bad man, whose chief amuse-
ment and means Of gaining a livelihood
consist Of highway robbery. But 1
think the finest piece of holding up
ever heard of was accomplished by a
young New Yorker who travelled in our
state and Mexico for druggists fancy
articles mandatory.
This young mar" he continued, "was
travelling in the state OF Coahuila, Mex
leo, about two years ago and went one
night to Saltillo, the capital of the state.
1t was the first time he had been in the
town, and, after transacting a little
business, he started out to see the
sights. AS he entered an isolated street
he was suddenly confronted by brig
andish-looking fellow, who, in glib
mongrel Spanish, demanded his valu-
ables, with accompanying gestures that
made his meaning perfectly Ineligible
to the intended victim. The highway
man held in one hand long, sinister
looking knife and waved it about in
suggestive manner which implied the
necessity Of ready compliance with his
wishes or tragic result.
But the salesman was man of quick
wit and ready resources. Instead of
handing over his property he thrust his
hand into his pocket, and a moment
later the cold, shiny barrel of what
seemed to be a revolver was pointed at
the would-be robbers head.
Excuse me- said the young man.
but this is my game
Naturally, the surprise caused by
the unexpected production of the sup
posed revolver produced change in
the confident manner in which the rob-
Der had confronted the New Yorker,
and he started back. Instantly the
salesman knocked the knife from his
hand, stopped down, picked it up, took
the highwayman by the collar before he
could escape and marched him before
the police authorities. At the prelim-
mary trial of the would-be robber the
following morning the guilt of the pris-
oner was already established, and his
commitment was about to follow when
he asked if it were not nm offense for
strangers in the country to carry con-
cealed weapons. He was told that it
was. Then he demanded the arrest of
the young salesman, charging him with
carrying a revolver. The native JUS
tice asked the salesman If the charge
was true. This was admitted. He was
then asked if he still had the weapon
concealed on his person. The young
man said he had, but pleaded that its
possession had the night before pre-
vented robbery and possibly murder.
He was informed that such a circum-
stance did not alter the case and that he
had violated the law.
1.-THE prisoner smiled sardonically on
beholding the tight place into which
the authorities were seemingly draw
ing the New Yorker, but his mirth
turned to disgust when the young man
pulled the revolver from his pocket and
laid it down before the magistrate. It
was nothing but a cologne atomizer
fashioned in the shape of a revolver,
such as were manufactured in quanti-
ties several years o."-Baltimore SUM-