Bisbee daily review., 1908-07-22
Inc Surprise That Came to Bronson
By HARRY VAN DENMARK

Ridgely btll of goods. or going to the insane asylum in the outskirts of the village as a permanent boarder. Kinsley. Cracken & Co. my employ CTS. had intimated that an order from him would prove acceptable. This was told me by MT. Cracken himself, in atone I could not well misunder- stand.
 So. when I stepped otf the train and saw Bronson of Lord & Delston's in the act of tipping boy to carry his sample cases to the town hack, do not wonder that I said Good heavens!" and thought something a great deal worse.
 There had always been bad blood between Bronson and myself, our paths were always crossing. He had no scruples when it came to getting ahead Of me; nothing was too desper- ate for him to attempt if it gave me the short" end.
 By several little tricks unknown in the category of the true professional man he had been able to hold Wex Ridgely's trade against me, so natur- ally grew to have it in for him.
 And on this day, when l saw my rival, cool and debonair, standing be- fore me at the Dayton depot, and had visions of Ridgely's order slipping away from me again-ditto, my job I made up my mind to square it all with one coup de maitre.
 We reached the hack about the same moment. Bronson scrambled in, leaving the boy to throw his grips on top of the vehicle. and followed, pull ing ny own sample case in with me.
 You've got your nerve!" This from Bronson.
 -Shi that's all right, old man." I said. soothingly. in a tone plainly audible to the driver That's all right now. know you think you're a drum msr, and it's all right for you to think so. re-there-there!"
 What are you talking about. any way?"
 There was a blank look in Bronson's eyes. as well there might have been. for what 1 said sounded to him like rank b&lGerdash.
 Where do you gents want to go?' queried the driver. politely. sticking his head in at the door.
 "To Ridgely's store" said Bronson, fin no pleasant tone. No hotel and wash-up for him while I was on his trail.
 There, there!" I turned to the driver Don't mind him; he thinks he's a drummer, but there's really something loose up here" and tapped my forehead significantly. Just drive-er-well, you know where"
 Sure thing" he responded. grin ming. q thought his nibs looked kinder patty"
 "Here-I say. driver," cried Bron son, but he might as well have ad dressed a statue. for the driver, after looking at him curiously for a mo ment, climbed on the front of the hack and we whirled of up the coun try road toward the village, which was about half mile from the depot | Bronson fumed and fretted and cursed. finally turning to me with: "Biankety- blank you. Nevins, what l did you tell him that for? Is this { practical joke?" 1 "There-there- it's all right. now, I soothed. Be still, there's a goot fellow"
 At this Bronson grew so mad he va! ! speeches.; he just sat there anC i spluttered without saying a word.
 If he gifts unruly, jes' call on me, drawled the driver. as he poked hi head down and squinted at me througl the front of the hack.
 Thank you, driver; but I'm sur, he will go along quietly" I responded
 He looks [ me like a feller wha use t sell goods t Wex RidgeIy.
 don't s'pose that was what sent hin of his nut, was it?"
 No, but it's a strange coincidence be declares his name is Bronson an, that he used to sell goods to Wex. O course. we'll let him think so. I
 won't do any harm. poor fellow. Vel
 drive up little. l want to get m poor relative confined before he grow
 more violent"
 You'll stop at Ridgely's store driver. and no nonsense!" shoute
 Bronson.
 "Oh, sure will" returned tn
 driver, winking good-naturedly at m,
 "Nevins, I've a good mind to brea your neck for this trick That ma
 really thinks I'm crazy"
 .'There-there, old fellow: Of cours
 you're not craZy-no, no-of cours
 not"
 That set him of again and we ha
 whirled by Ridgely's store before
 knew it.
 When he saw that we were reail
 headed for the asylum he made de
 perate efforts to get out of the hacl but, having some forty pounds the be
 ter of him in weight, I saw that - didn't.
 P Bronson filled the air with curse t but the hack was going so fast an ] making so much noise that no or could hear him, and after several i effectual attempts to kick and bite, lay limp beneath me. Finally, we drew up at the gate , the asylum grounds and entered at b slow trot
 Who have you got?" heard an e l tendant ask.
 i Another buggy one" returned Il e driver. Gent inside II tell ye a P about it"
 That was my cue. so l made my exi {, closing aad fastening the door aft