Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-21
BUNTS, HIS DOG.
BY MARVIN DANA.
1901, by Marvin Dana.

UT was remarkable that the entrance
of one man sufficed to arrest the
attention of the whole crowd as
sembled in the chief saloon of
Maysville, Ark, but the newcomer
was stranger whose appearance was
calculated to provoke interest. He was
tall and broad shouldered, and SO much
Of his face as was visible beneath the
gray sombrero was keen and resolute.
The man was clad in long frock coat
of gray cloth cut low on the breast, as
was the waistcoat, to display an even
ing expanse of tarnished linen. On
the bosom Of his shirt five splendid
solitaire diamonds stood In stately per-
pendicularity, shining and glinting
with a luxurious brilliancy that awed
every beholder. On the fingers other
jewels proclaimed the riches of their
wearer. while from pocket to pocket
Of his waistcoat stretched q watch
chain made Of huge topazes.
This gorgeous individual stared about
him, seemingly oblivious Of the impress
sion his advent had created, then
moved to a chair that CHANGED to be
vacant near by, sat down, drummeo
loudly on the table with his fists and
cried in vigorous voice:
"Hi, barkeeper!"
That functionary responded surliiy,
for he was of saturnine demeanor,
"What ye want%
"I'm Jim Bunts from Texas, an I'm
white man, an I'm passin' through
here, an, bein' sociable critter, l
says to myself, says I, Let's liquor 50
If all ye galoots will name yer pizen
I'u buy it fur ye. I'm takin' old rye
myself. Let her go, Mr.. Barkeeper.
Here's whatw And Jim Bunts threw
down a twenty dollar goldpiece on the
table before him.
There could be no question as to the
immediate popularity acquired by the
Texan. Each person in the crowd or.
dered the most expensive drink OF
which he could think, and when the
stranger followed up his first lberaI'
ty by inviting his guests to renew hba'
tions at his expense the enthusiasm
knew no bounds.
The only exception to Bunts' admir-
ers was Lumpy, gambler, one of the
local "bad'' men sitting at the same
table, who, after having obtained mo-
mentary favor by the purchase of one
"drink around" now found himself
forgotten before the prodigal hospital
ity Of the newcomer.
The stranger ordered third glass OF
whisky for himself, and then, as If In
cidentally, bade the barkeeper fill all
the glasses, whereby sensation was
caused. Immediately after the glass
Of whisky had been set for him Bunts
reached his hand into coattail pocket
and produced therefrom a dog, which
he placed with mingled fondness and
bride upon the table before him.
This animal was one Of the small,
hairless Mexican breed, sort strange
to most of those present, and strong
curiosity was at once excited. Where
fore the Texan indulged in second
address.
THAT ere dawg's named Rickets,
cause 'e's never grown a mite since
e was born, an I've bout given up
hope of is gettin' any more sizable.
He amt much to look at, but e was
give me by the handsomest woman
what ever spent money. an I love
i'm as a sov'nur of her. Well drink
'er health"
Whereupon all Maysville chorused
appreciation Of the Mexican hairless
dog, and became lost in raptures over
the Texans inamorata.
Bunts pushed his glass of whisky IN
front of Ricketts, and the dog proceeded
to lap up the fiery spirits.
"Ain't e intelligent? Well, some" /"
his owner remarked complacently.
Then he continued, "An' now, bar
keeper, set 'em up ag'in an we'll drink
the dawg's health!'
But Lumpy, made dangerous by
drink, exclaimed loudly:
81 don't drink with no pup! An,
what's more, I won't have no cur Like
that sittin' at table with me-"
AS Lumpy ended, change In Bunts'
face warned him and he made swift
movement toward his hip. But the
stranger was quicker.
"Throw up yer 'ands" said Bunts,
and Lumpy instantly obeyed. Then
the Texan gave him a homily.
"Ye've insulted me an also the Wo-
man as gave me the pup. an also the
dawg. 1 oughter shoot ye. l don't
like yer face. But I'll give ye yer
worthless life If yell az me parding.
Do We apologize to me"
"I do" Lumpy FASTENED to say.
"An' do ye apologize to the lady!
Speak up louder"
eyes," Lumpy responded, raising bis
voice.
"An' do ye apologize to the pup7
Louder"
81 do" answered Lumpy,. and bis
voice was a shout.
"That's done, then. But no apollo,
giles en- make a gent out Of ye, an I
don't drink 'cept with gents. SO clear
out. Get scramble on yerself, an
keep yer lands up"
Lumpy, his hands held rigidly heaV'
anward, rose and passed out into the
street. When he had disappeared, the
Texan laid the two revolyers on the
table, one on either side of the dog.
Then he addressed the company:
"That dawg stays right there. ye
bet! Name yer pizen, gents
Outside Lumpy relieves his feelings
by some cultural oaths and set out for
the worst drinking hole In town,
where he knew he could find the as