Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-04-16
TIGER!
TIGER /!
By Elias Lisle ........


Just one more" pleaded SQUAD
O'Neill leaning persuasively over Nc
Ardell's bai.
"No, SIR" said McArdell emphatical-
ly. you've had one too many al
ready"
This was well within the truth. Since
leaving the winter quarters of the
Grand Panjandrum Menagerie early
that morning the erring SQUAD had
augmented the raging flame of thirst
that burned within him by many an
onpouring of oil, the fusel oil that
comes in five cent whisky. Now his
eXhilarant soul had risen above that
brand. 1t yearned for the kind that
comes at 10 cents a throw. The trouble
was that he didn't have the 10 cents.
Put it on the slate. Mac" he begged.
ITS turrible t'irsty work, tiger chas-
in"
"Chasing the can," amended Near
dell grimly.
"Chasin' the tiger. l said" insisted
the other
"What tigerT' There was con-
temptuous tone to the query, and it
was with some heat as well as triumph
that SQUAD retorted:
"Salamander-that' wot tiger"
Yes; that's likely" sneered the sa-
loon man. In truth, nothing seemed
less likely than that the understood,
shambling. irresponsible doer of odd
jobs about the winter quarters should
be engaged in any chase to which Sala-
mander was the other party. for Sala-
mander. once the prize performer of
the Grand Panjandrum, had "gone
bad" a few weeks before and had gath
cred to himself (and their fathers)
trainer, his assistant and sundry loose
ends of other persons engaged about
his cage, such as ears. fingers and once
the better part of a forearm. II guess
it's one of your pipes, Squab," contin-
ued McArdsll.
You'd never win no spellin' bees by
guessin'." returned Squab. I'm on the
job, | am. The boss give it to me spe-
cial. '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, AN your pay check'll be
twins at. the end of the week. he
says"
"Oh. cut it outr' said McArdell good
naturedly. "Salamander's at home in
his cage, where he belongs. You'd bet
ter get home to yours"
"Thats where your brains soften
in" remarked O'Neill. but he will be
before night. I'm after him. | am"
He marched proudly to the door,
opened it and held it open to fling back
a parting word.
"When | 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
disappeared in the gathering darkness.
"Wot's that he said about loose IT,
ger?" growled one of them under his
breath.
"One of the shows beasts escaped
prob'ly." answered his companion.
"Good thing we got our pops ready"
he added, feeling for the handle of
revolver In his pocket
LOT of good that'd be ag'in a tiger"
said the first, peering fearfully over
his shoulder. "Well, he hadn't oughter
bother us. We're on the hunt our
selves"
For some minutes they examined the
brightly lighted interior of the saloon
from the windows Then they walked
in and ordered drinks. Before Near
dell and his assistant could fill the or
der they were looking down the barrels
of two revUlveiS.
"All the cash in the register an
drawer an a quart of the beSt.' sai0
the spokesman.
"Well. I'm npnGed" mourned the dis
comfited McArdell. This is worse
than wandering tigers"
"Shut up an hustler snarled the
robber. casting an uneasy glance at
the swinging doors.
A few rods outside was spectacle
which would have deeply interested
him could he have but seen down the
now dark street-Squab O'Neill and a
crony. whom he had picked up in a sa
loOli, tlltIStllCdly tsCOIliHS
der homeward. There seemed to be
some unwillingness on the part of the
great, striped beast, for the two men
breathed hard as they pushed and haul
ed But where was the ferocity that
had made his name terror to the
hole show? Never snarl, never a
growl. never the unsheathing of claw,
as the two half drunken guardians led
their charge almost to the door of the
saloon. There they halted, and O'Neill
spoke:
you hold him, Aleck, while take II
look"
Tiptoeing to the nearest window.
SQUAD peered in. then clapped hasty
hand over his mouth to hold in shout
of amazement. He had surprised the
holdup in full swing. the two robbers
covering McArdell and his assistant
while they heaped up money on the
bar. In two jumps the eavesdropper
was back beside the tiger, his teeth
chuttorinp with excitement