The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-01-14
pa 70 81 proprietOr 81 4

thickly. rbut there's other sports we
"Dhrinking's n of thin, hut we do
COO of from that WI a wrastlin'
match, or a bit o. a shindy, afore we
dc sit down at cards. Av yer lookin'
fr divarsion Wen I'LL you full av It.
"Moikelo he exclaimed. interrupting
himself, ''th' gintlemin say how meb-
be the wan av thin cudn't throw you,
collar an elbow, but the two av thin
cud."
rs thot SOP replied Long Mike,
dropping the bottle from which he was.
pouring out another drink.
A CLEAN came in his eye, and with an
unsteady lurch he reached for h
strangers, Selling them both by the
collar with surprising Quickness. II
was fortunate for him hat he did not
miss his hold, for using them both 10
props he was only Just able to keep his
balance. Fol some moments he swayed
heavily, while they began a vigorous
remonstrance.
No one heard what they said, how
ever. for h crowd was yelling with
delight and the two-both sturdy men
and no cowards-soon saw that their
wisest course would be to try the
match. It did not seem impossible for
two powerful men to throw the cham
pson in his present condition, and ac-
cordingly they reached out for the
proper grip.
But to their amazement, Long Mike
aid not even seem conscious of their
efforts to trip him. Swaying a little
yet. but steadying himself after q bit,
he looked at them In turn with a puz-
zled expression as IL trying to decide
which to throw first. Then, as IL un-
able to settle the question. he DELHI
erately lifted them both high In the
air, at arms length, and held them
there while they squirmed and twisted
In the vain attempt to renew their at
tack.
Eat 'em up Mike" aBang 'em to-
gether." Stand 'em on their heads"
Tie 'em In a hard knot" These and
other 1 directions were shouted by
the delighted onlookers, but Long Mike
stood undecided, watching their strug-
giles with a sort of bewildered amuse-
ment, until Stumpy called OFT:
Throw thin in tn river. Mebbe
thotll cool thin some"
Then, with a grin OF keen Joy. the
big man started for the door. still hold
ing the two men aloft without apparent
effort. Had he been steady on his
feet Brownsville had surely had a
holiday indeed, but he stumbled and
all three fell.
Long Mike was for an instant re-
newal OF the match, but the two men
lodged and Wheeler shouted in re-
monstrance.
you uns is sure some spo'ty," he
said, "but we uns amt got no all
round edication. Ais we p'tend to
know is draw poker, an judgin' I'm
what we done seen 30 far IL looks like
mebbee We won't have no walkover at
that"
TITS all or" said Stumpy. .ofve
two weeks pay in me kick. an them
piruts III have ut In wan round q " the
boss haven't his. luck wild him.
Hes tn on'y wan av us en- bate
glory o. tn dhrink on him beloike he'll
be losin' his wad, too. Stand by, Sam,
in case Of a shindy."
But the little man sat in when the
Others did as readily al IL he had pro-
posed the game himself. 1t wasn't in
him to avoid trouble.
Hennessy M Gallagher sat in also,
making a six-handed game, and Sam
furnished cards and sold chips. Long
Mike insisted that the game should be
table stakes, n after each man had
taken $40 worth he leaned back in his
chair and went to sleep.
Wheeler dealt and Hennessy put up
two white chips call q quarter, but
Stumpy sitting next found no cards, so
he threw down his hand. Long Mike
sat in the next place and they waited
to see IL he would wake up, but he did
not.
"Oi think he'll pass said Stumpy.
and reaching over he look the sleeping
mans cards and threw them In the dis
card.
Then Boxer cam in, Gallagher
passed. Wheeler stayed and Hennessy
laid down. That left the two partners
in with no opponents, n they went
through the formalities OF the draw and
the showdown with ~undisguised dis
gust.
1t was Hennessy's deal next and he
had hard work to keep awake while he
gave out the cards. Seeing this
Stumpy was suddenly inspired. Clos
ing his eyes he snored gently after put
ting up his ante, AND keeping up the
snoring he soon had the satisfaction OF
hearing Gallagher and Hennessy both
Join in a chorus.
The two strangers looked at each
other and then at the other four, at
first in disgust. then, as they saw
the humor of the situation, with wide
grins.
II reckon there won't be no game
tonight" said one, but we sure be
winners so far" And he looked
around at the chips as if wondering
how many could be safely appropriated
before anyone should wake up.
AS he was about to stretch out his
hand. however, Stumpy stretched him
self and said, yawning:
"Ot was tellin' yez there's other
sports we do loike betther nor draw
poker. Slapin's wan O. thin. Yen get
no Brownsville money the night, Oi'm
thinkin', barrin' the dime ye took Off
Hennessy."
A Square Deal.
From the Boston Transcript.
To II 49,, AoA = wxallfAwn A.w1lr~ HaHH.E-a.