Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-03-20
They Got A Bargain.

One Of the older horsemen at ths
club was IN "a reminiscent mood, say
the Chicago Record-Herald, ant
talked pleasantly Of early adventure.
between idle willis of good cigar
Said he:
''RiIey was friend Of my youth
gifted with that courage and gayety
of mind so much esteemed by Steven
son. Together with some capitalists
we were in Padncah, KY, looking
after a number Of yearlings, and at
night we whiled away the time play
ing cards Al the hotel. WHICH was On
the outskirts Of town. OF course
sundry refreshments were served
during these sittings, and / remem.
Der that on one occasion Riley pre-
posed milk punch.
THE suggestion was greeted with
applause, but upon ringing up the
stewart we were informed that there
was not drop OF milk in the house:
moreover, the hour was 100 late to
hope for finding anyone awake on
the neighboring farms,
Riley summoned the colored por-
ter.
Who keeps COW IN the neigh
borhood?' he demanded.
I" 'smif, an Jones, an Robinson,
an =
=" Do they lock the barns?' inter
rupted Riley.
No, sir.
That was sufficient. Who'll go
with me?' challenged Riley.
Il volunteered, agreeing that we
should pay for the milk on the NOR
row, and sothe expedition was form
ed. Fearing that the hotel people
might be gone by thetime wereturn-
ed we had them empty two quarts
of old whiskey into attn pail. Arm
ed with this, we sailed forth. The
colored porter, whom we bribed to
accompany as, was our guide.
I'VE made for the first barn we
saw. The porter tried to dissuade
as, protesting that the owner kept
shotgun and slept in the stable,
having been recently robbed by
tramps
he xiii yo' sho'l' declared the
boy, and he fled for his life.
Inside the barn it was as dark
ne pitch. We struck light, which
we extipguished as soon as we had
located the COW. Then we got to
work without delay. / did the milk
ing, while Riley undertook to keep
the COW quiet Just as / was finish
ing Riley uttered queer groan, fol-
lowed by an outcry. The COW had
pinned him to the wall, and was
grinding him as though possessed.
heinevitable happened. Awak-
ened by Riley's voice, the ogre O
the premises came down on US like
thunderbolt, accompanied by a
shotgun and two assistants with
clubs and lanterns.
Don tshooi!' ! yelled, grappline
valorously with the COW. We sur
reuderl'
What areye doin there?' growled
the farmer.
Il was silent.
I'VE came to look at the COW!
gasped Riley, who was as cool as
sliced cucumber and just about as
thick.
What do you want to look al
that COW for ?'--fingering the gun.
We wish to buy it, declared
Riley, escaping from his perilous
position.
i took the cue, and we closed .
bargain then aad there. The CON
was ours at the price of the farm,
and we were gladto escape with our
lives, and in such q hurry to get
away that we left our pail behind us.
Early the next day we had some
callers-the farmer and his sons.
They came reeling into the hotel,
arm in arm, like .tipsy sailors. The
old man shook me cordially by the
hand.
Did you milk that COW last
night?' he demanded.
:, Yes, sir.
" Did you put the milk into the
pail that you left in the barn.
Yes, sir.
Z" The farmer grinned happily
We drank the milkr he declared
thickly. You all have great bar
gain. five had her back you couldn't
buy her for her weight in gold
could they. boys?'
/" No. Stree. chined in the boys
as one man.
/