Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-10-12
A TOTAL SURPRISE.
ID Was Caused by the Unusual Re-
suit of "A Little Mans Reck-
less ugnacity.

They were sitting around the stove il
Ike Zeigler's store discussin' when ths
big man came in. They had gone over
the Spanish war from start to finish
and had effectually settled the future Of
the new territories, and the tall
naturally turned to personal bravery
1t transpired that there was not a
coward in the crowd, unless the small
man over in the corner, who hadn't
said word, could be counted.
Why" Bud Hays was just saying.
Il never see the man yet as could make
me back down. amt braggin or moth
in gentlemen, but that man amt
growed as could make me chaw my
words. Tobacker's good enough for
me. Understand gentlemen, | don't
go round lookin' fer no wrangle, but
amt goin' around runnin' away from
il, nuther." With which Bud settled
back. and the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
at the wood box with the warm glow of
men mutually satisfied With their own
attributes.
The big man walked back TO the
stove, trife unsteadily, slapping his
mittens together as he came.
81 hope" said he, ''ye want maxim
no observations about me-" he began,
eyeing Bud Hays with glare Of hos
tility, cause II We did We might ez well
say 'em TO my face" A deathlike ST.
lence following this announcement,
the big man began again: "Er mebby
We was jest maxim a declaration on
general principles an waitin' fer some
body T. take it up. FL We did, I'm Yer
man."
More deathlike silence.
"Some folks is awful smart that
away. Mebby some of yer frien's hain't
satisfied with my remarks"
There being no response TO this the
stranger became aggrieved. IT'S a
curious thing he observed, tibet a
man can't CONG in where thar's a crowd
o. lazy loafers without bein' insulted
Why. it's simply onbearable. Here
peaceable man comes in mindin' his
own business, an derned ornery
skunk takes occasion Z throw slurs at
him. Why, durn yer hide, what dye
mean?"
Excuse me, stranger" said Bud
Hays, squirming uneasily In his seat
and glancing with an appealing eye at
he unresponsive faces Of his friends.
II don't remember no insults cast at
nobody"
'Oh, you don't remember EN-, eh2"
shouted the tranger. so We don't re.
what We said TO me about not
oein' able TO lick one side of ye? Why, |
5urn ye-"
II never said" broke in the as.
onished Bud, hut the stranger threw
his mittens on the floor and danced on
hem
AN now I'm a liar, am I? Amt sat
SIZED with insuliin' me mildlike so
sould pass il over. but make II stronger
'o's I'll have 10 fight We"
Now, lookee here" said Bud.
Don't ye dispute me again" roared
he stranger, pulling his Astrakhan
'vercoat, don't ye do it. I'll stand a
whole lot, but ! won't be tramped on
" any yaller pup nur eny Of his fiste
riendsl" and he glared around the lit
le circle Of eyes that were busily seek
ng the floor.
But the challenge was taken up from
in unexpected quarter. The quiet lit
le man over in the corner got up and
,ut his jackknifc in his pocket.
You're a big bluff" he said calmly
is he stepped out in the middle Of he
loor "and you're afraid TO fight"
Astonishment and apprehension were
tended on the faces of the little cir
lie, and for moment the big man stood
Then he waded in and he
licked the little man to finish. Yes.
lie did. Licked him good and plenty.
Unusual and unnatural as IL may seem
or the little man 10 get the worst OF II.
otherwise this story never would have
zen written. It's the only thing that
makes II valuable as an unusual incl
Ient.-Cucinnatl Enquirer.