The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-30
THAT SKIN HER Box
He Gets Mixed Up With a Barrel And
Goat.

1t was Saturday morning, and
Humpy Skinner was waiting at the
gate for half ton Of coal to come
when along came the Gray and the
Philips boys.
Seen any bears around this morn
ing. casually Queried the Gray boy.
as he leaned up against the gate.
How could they be any y replied
"Oh, bears can be anywhere. If you
see any bears during the next week
lemme know, I know C. secondhand
store where I can buy a bear trap for
so cents. If we catch a grizzly I'll give
you all his claws
IF Hump skinner saw a bear
around he wouldn't wait for no bear
trap observed the Phillips boy. mo,
sir, you bet he wouldn't He wouldn't
leg It for home like I would, but he'd
walk right up to that monster and
grasp him by the throat and choke the
life out of him. I'd give ten sticks of
gum II was as brave Teller as
Hump"
sod l. I was talking with a Teller
about him only yesterday, and he said
It was jest awful to see Hump smash
things when he got mad. I'd hate to
have him smash me-"
TN bet he could lick the ice man in
a fair fight"
Shoot Why. the ice man would be
q ICIE SC AT the uESL dow LOOK 81
Humps drsts! See how his eyes flash
Hear him breathel I'm a-telling you
that he's a regular cyclone on wheels"
What you boys talking about -
asked Humpy, as he hadn't heard
word Of the conversation between
them
About you" replied the Phillips
boy We was telling how brave you
was. If you'd see a raging lion right
across there in the door of the grocery.
you'd walk over and snake him out and
scatter his fragments over the whole
block"
We'll. you see. I'd have to do it to
protect the women and children"
And If a fire, broke out I'd bet he'd
save half dozen orphans and Wild
ows, remarked the Gray boy
Humpy Skinner was now swelling up
with pride and conceit and wishing he
knew how to chew tobacco, but the
boys had a little more taffy in store.
Napoleon fit and fit and f1t said
the Phillips boy, but did he fight any
harder than Hump would have done
had he been there ?"
Nav, replied the Gray boy. Gas
abianca stood on the burning deck, but
Hump would have stood on two of
EN- and licked the crowd as fast as
they came to him. My father saw him
once carrying a chicken along the
street. and he said that Humpy was
IT'S something that comes natural
to me and I can't help it," replied
Humpy as he made a great effort to
look modest. IF some coal wasn't com.
ing to be carried in I'd go and pick a
fight with boy and show you fellers
what's what"
Gee but how the blood would
fowl" gasped the Gray boy.
And what a sight the mangled re-
mains would bel" added the Phillips
boy.
Just then the Davis boy came along.
as had been arranged for. He was rat
ting a stick against the pickets of the
fence and seemed greatly surprised to
find three boys in his path.
What you fellers doing he asked
as he halted.
Telling how brave Hump Skinner
is Say, if he hadn't got to bring IN
some coal he'd go along with us and
knock some big boys eyebrows off,
''Pooh!"
What are you poohing about?'
Hes just Dragging don't believe
he's got any more grit than a girl
by Jimmy, but I wouldn't like to be
you if you make Hump mad I don't
believe that six men can hold him.
He's beginning to chank his teeth now
and you'd better beg his pardon"
81 hain't wantin' to make him mad,
but I don't believe he's such an aw-
full Teller. 1t he was he'd come along
where I am going
Where's that?''
ITO see a fight between a boy and a
goat in a lumber yard If Hump Skin
ner was a fighter he'd come along and
take that boys place. He hain't a
fighter and so he won't come. He'll
stay right here and bring in the coal
and then ask his ma for bread and
butter with sugar on it,
"Oh. I will, will II" replied Humpy.
nd cd in, q
face. you jest lead the way to that
lumber yard ard the goat and well see
about things"
The fossr started at once and pickes.
up twelve or fifteen more boys Ell
route. The Gray boy and Humpy