The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-08

his route there was something doing In
society and Johnny Warner was for
the moment the hub of the social
wheel. He always had stock of good
stories. knew the latest games. could
play the piano. and in spite Of an inn
pediment in his speech he could sing
like u hooking bird. That's the kind
OF fellow Johnny Warner was.
" B-b-b-business c-c-c-cOmes b-be-
fore p-p-p- pleasure, he used to say
'b-b-b-but pleasure always c-c-c-comes.'
and IL pleasure didn't come after he
was through with business he made It
his business to 30 after 1t.
One day was going up to Erie on
Il business trip when Johnny swung
aboard ut q way station and, not seeing
me, sat down a few seats forward and
immersed himself In his reports. Just
in front OF him sat very pretty girl,
alone. 1t was Johnnie's business
time, and after comprehensive glance
in her direction he paid no further
attention to her. Presently a big six
footer entered the car and stood at
the end OF tho aisle for a moment eye
ing the passengers. He was one of
these hawkeyed fellows who carry In
their faces the signs Of the villainy
that lies In their hearts, the kind Of q
man that you edge away from when he
sits down by you. He was bird Of
prey looking for game, and was dressed
rs he thought, for the part. He had
ON 4 silk hat and q frock coat, but
the collar buttoned on flannel shirt
betrayed his ignorance Of the rules Of
correct dress. and his heavily oiled
hair and the lines Of tobacco juice
running down from the corners of his
mouth betrayed his ignorance Of some
other rules.
Tho stranger saw the girl and
s,,vlled leisurely up to where she sat.
els this seat taken. miss?' he asked
with y bow and u smirk.
No. sir the girl answered coldly,
but there are other ones vacant
This 'un looks good to me- he said,
and without further excuse pumped
himself down by her side and throwing
his arm over the back of the seat
tried to draw her into conversation.
She turned her face toward the window
and refused to pay any attention to
him for y while. but he Was persistent.
and pretty soon he must have said
something to her that aroused her
anger. for she rose up. her face burn
ing with indignation.
Let me by she demanded.
oh. no. he said, you don't want to
leave Il poor Teller this way. Sit down
an talk to yer pepper like good lit
tie GAL
~ insist. sir. that you allow me to
pass said the girl. her voice rising a
little.
"All this time Johnny had been bent
over his work. apparently taking no
notice OF the pair In front Of him. Now
he reached over and tapped the fellow
on the shoulder.
ALLOW the l-l-lady to PIP pass,
he said. Just as calmly as II he had
been asking for ticket to Harrisburg.
THE hawk turned his head and
sized Johnnie up It didn't take much
time. for he was only about five feet
three. " "a
"'What the hell "a you got ter do
do with it?' the stranger asked with an
ugly scowl. -" ~
"'J-j-just e-n-n-nough to s-s-see that
it's d-d-d-done,' said Johnny, rising up.
"'Well,' said the hawk, 4 don't allow
any stutterin' poppinjays to interfere
with my business, an you'd better sit
down and let me an this girl alone
or you'll wish you was home with
mommer.' 80,
Johnny didn't say word, but with
an arm that was like a piece Of Har-
veyized steel he took the stranger by
the coat collar and lifted him out of
the seat as easily as II he'd been a
sofa cushion. Then jerking him into
the aisle he gave him kick between
the coat tails that sent him half way
down the car.
You g-g-got on the wrong t-t-train,
said Johnny. The c-c-cattle cars on
the other t-t-track.'
"The fellow recovering his balance
turned and came back at Johnny with
a rush that would have knocked over
the bull OF Bashan. .
"'You little snipe, I'll kill you,' he
hollered, and he meant IT., too, for II
there ever was murder in mans eye
it was there. lie
But Johnny lodged between the
seats and as the stranger was carried
past by his own momentum Johnny
gave him a right-hander on the side Of
the jaw that sent him crashing over
against the window and put him entire
ly out Of business for a while, {:
1: Then Johnny raised his hat to the