The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-06-01
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A Lion Tanned
By R. W.. KEENAN,
i Copyright by American Press Asso-
-. citation. 1911.
By R W. KEENAN,

A good many years ago. when the
Union Pacific railroad was being built,
one going across the continent was
obliged to travel by stage good part
Of the way. One day coach loaded
with passengers was going up and
down the uneven country formed by
the Rocky mountains. The drivers Of
those coaches we're usually excellent
men and very expert In driving six
horses over the zigzag roads. Indeed.
they were like the engineer Of rail.
way train who holds the lives of those
behind him in his hand. But In this
case If the driver was expert he was
not careful Of the lives of his passen.
gers. Rather, he was Just the reverse
In going down q grade he would 60
lickity-split. turning curves over preci-
piccs, slurring the coach to the very
edge. to the horror Of those for whom
he was driving.
The women. ut first. when passing
through one of these dangers, would
hold on to what was nearest to them
for dear life. but would finally cry cut
With terror. Some of the men eXpostu-
lated With the driver. but were told so
fierccly to shut up that none of them
dared to enter further protest. Be-
sides. they saw that what they said
only melted him to new violence.
Beside the driver sat n young man
In checkerboard suit. He did not
join the others in endeavoring to stop
the mans recklessness. though he was
nearest to him. He kept his arms
folded, balancing himself as the stage
careened like ship. both sideways
and fore and aft. He was not over
Eve feet six inches high and not espe.
cially thick in proportion to his height
The driver being six feet tall and
heavy in proportion, 1t was not to be
wondered that the little man held his
peace.
The coach had made one Of its break.
neck descents and had reached level
travelling. with gradual ascent ahead.
when the man In a checkerboard suit
said to the driver in a low tone:
"Been drinking2"
SHAW. Haven't taken q drink in q
year."
"Reckon you're right. could smell
It II you had. Well. SEEM you're not
drunk. what you trytn' to spill Us
fort"
The driver turned and looked down
on the little man contemptuously.
"See here. young feller." be thun.
dered. do you know what passengers
gifts for interferin' with ribbon hold.
ers"
mo. Do they get shot2"
"Git shot! Do you suppose I'd
waste good lead on your little car.
cass?"
"well. what would you do If were
to interfere with your drivin'?"
"l'll tell you what I'd do-I'd Just
bring my arm around and wipe you
of into the road"
The outside passengers sitting behind
the two were interested in their con-
The little man asked the
questions In childlike fashion. as a
small boy would ask them. the big
man always responding with the growl
Of lion. When the driver spoke the
last words the horses had come to the
Of the ascent and had
dropped into walk. Suddenly the
man in the checkerboard suit seemed
to double up like jackknife. Bracing
his back against the top of the coach
behind him, he put his feet against the
driver, gave shove. and the big man
landed ten or twelve feet below In the
road.
This was not all. The little man
jumped after him and landed beside
him. The big man got half way up
on his feet when the little man plant.
ed blow on his Jaw and rolled him
over again. The big man made an
other attempt to rise. and the little man
hit him another crack. with the same
result Then. throwing OF his check
erboard coat. the latter said:
"Git up!"
This time the driver was permitted
to rise and rushed for his tormentor
like bull. The tormentor was not
in the line of rush. but az the driver
passed he received a blow under the
chin that leveled him again with the
road. He was allowed to rise after
this when knocked down and every
time he arose was sent back where he
came from. he was q strong man, but
his adversary played with him as q
cat would play with mouse. Finally
the drivers strength was all spent, and
he lay In the road like a log.
One Of the outside passengers had
caught the reins and brought the horses
to stand. and the passengers had wit.
messed the fray.
As soon as 1t was evident that the
lion could neither bite nor roar any
more every passenger Jumped from the
coach and surrounded the little man.
Every man grasped his hand and every
woman kissed him. He looked very
much disconnected, as though he were
getting credit for whipping rebellious
terrier.
"You don't understand" he said.
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