The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-01
TIGER! TIGER!
By elias Isle

Copyright. 1902 by S. s. Mcclure Company.
Gust one more pleaded Squad O'Neill,
leaning persuasively over McArdelrs bar.
''No, sir,' said McArdel emphatically.
you've had one too many already"
This was we'll within the truth. Since leay-
ing the winter quarters of the Grand Panjan-
drum menagerie early that morning the err
Ing SQUAD had augmented the raging fame of
thirst that burned within him by many an
onpouring of oil, the fusel oil that comes in
scent whisky. Now his exhilarant soul had
risen above that brand. 1t yearned for the
kind that comes at Is cents throw The
trouble was that he didn't have the Is cents.
Put it on the slate, Mac he begged. tits
turrble t'irsty work, tiger chasin'''
"Chasing the can,' amended McArdell
grimly.
'Chasin' the tiger, I said,' insisted the
other
What tiger?" There was a contemptuous
tone to the query, and it was with some heat
as we'll as triumph that SQUAD retorted:
.Salamsnder-thats wot tiger
eyes; that's likely sneered the saloon
man. In TRUTH nothing seemed less likely
than that the understood, shambling ire
sponsible doer of odd jobs about the winter
quarters should be engaged in any chase to
which Salamander was the other party, for
Salamander. once the prize performer of the
Grand Panjandrum, had ''gone bad few
weeks before and had gathered to himself
(and their fathers) a trainer. his assistant,
and sundry loose ends of other persons en-
gagged about his cage. such as ears. fingers,
and once the better part of forearm. Il
guess it's one of your pipes, Squab,' contin-
ued McArdell. r..
You'll never win no spellin' bees by guess
in',' returned SQUAD. I'm on the job am.
The boss give it to ME special. 'O'Neill,' says
he to me, you're the only man I'd trust to git
him. he says. Say nothin to nobody he
says but git him an bring him back quiet.
says he to me, am your pay check'll be twins
at the end OF the week., he says. ~
: "Oh, cut it QUIT" said McArdell good
naturedly. "Salamanders at home in his
cage where he belongs. You'd better get
home to yours.
That's where your brains softenin'," re-
marked O'Nell. But he will be before night.
I'm after him, I am 81.
He marched proudly to the door, opened
it and held it open to fling back a parting
word. - .''
when I come back with me tiger under
me arm, maybe you'll set up that drink"
Two men who crouched up close to the
outer wall looked after him as he disap-
peared in the gathering darkness.
'Wot's that he said about loose tiger?"
growled one Of them under his breath
Zone of the shows beasts escaped prob ly,"
answered his companion. Good thing we
got our pops ready he added, feeling for
the handle Of q revolver in his pocket.
Lot of good that'd be agin tiger" said
the first peerng fearfully over his shoulder.
"Well, he hadn't oughter bother US. We're
the hunt ourselves"
For some minutes they examined the bright,
~ lighted interior of the saloon from the
windows. Then they walked in and ordered
Irsr, = n@F~~ IA Ion
could fill the order they were looking down
the barrels of two revolvers.
'All the cash in the register an drawer
an a quart of the best!" said the spokes-
man.
well, I'm hanged" mourned the discom-
flied McArdel. This is worse than wander
ing tigers"
casting an uneasy glance at the swinging
doors.
few rods outside was spectacle which
would have deeply interested him could he
have but seen down the now, dark street
SQUAD O'Neill and crony, whom he had
picked up in saloon, energetically escort
ing Salamander homeward. There seemed to
be some unwillngness on the part Of the
great, striped beast for the two men
breathed hard they pushed and hauled.
But where was the ferocity that had made
his name a terror to the whole show? Never
SnaFl, never grown, never the unSheath-
ing of claw, the two ha)f-drunken guard
ians led their charge almost to the door of
the saloon. There they halted and O'Neill
spoke:
You hold him, Aleck. while take look.
Tiptoeing to the nearest window, SQUAD
peered in, then clapped 8 hasty hand over his
mouth to hold in shout of amazement. He
had surprised the hold-up in full swing, the
two robbers covering McArdell and his assist
ant while they heaped up money on the bar.
In two jumps the eavesdropper was back be-
side the tiger, his teeth chattering with ex-
element.
'Whwh- whisper, Aeck." he twittered.
''Can you roar?'
Can 1 roar?' repeated Aleck. who was a
convivial soul. with one more good drink
in me couldn't help but roar.
= Roar, then, like a thousand devils'
Kissed Squab "Salamander an me is gon'
inside. Gimme hand with him. Now let
FER go!"
In few the DOORS and through them burst