Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-09
The
Checkerboard Man
By WILLIAM CHANDLER


a road on the palms." they being
that portion of the continent lying be
tween the Missouri river and the
Rocky mountains. There were half
a dozen passengers inside the coach,
half of whom were ladies', and five
men outside. Four of the outsiders
were of the toughest element of the
region, which in those days was not al
all smooth. On the seat with the driv-
er sat man in n checkerboard suit.
The four men in his rear were talk
ing in vein not at all appropriate for
the ears of ladies and so loudly that
they could easily be heard in the coach
below. The man in the checkerboard
suit upon herring very coarse remark
turned and looked at the man who
made it, but said nothing
my young friend" said the man look
ed at, do you see anything to admire
in my appearanceW
81 don't see anything to admire In
your language"
The man hitched a revolver around
from his hip, saying, What dye think
o. that?"
Il have no use for firearms; never
carry EN- myself
The other clinched his fist. What
dye think o. that?"
"Oh, that's something l can under
stand. l carry those tools myself"
well, then, if you find anything
more about me you don't like you'll
get it behind the ear"
The checkerboard man made no re-
ply to this, but when the other launch,
ed forth another coarse remark, accom-
panied by an oath, the former turned
and said in a subdued voice:
Il say, my friend, you want to talk
in way that is unpleasant to my SEN
sitive ears. We can't both have our
own way. How would it do for us to
stop the coach, get down and have a
friendly set-tO to settle the matter?"
What. A little whippersnapper like
you fight six footer like me! I'd spoil
your Clothes"
"Oh, that won't matter. l can take
them off above the waist"
go him, JIM" said one of the Other
men.
go him. Why, eff I'd hit him rea!
hard l might break him. He's toe
purity to be smashed like a piece O
chiney."
Jim's companions We're anxious to
see mill and insisted upon his &C.
cepting the challenge. The coach was
halted. The two principals walked
a short distance from 1t, followed by
most Of the men inside and outside
while the driver remained on the box
and the ladies crowded to the win
dow. The checkerboard man threw of
his coat and vest, while his antagonist
remained In wooden shirt and trousers
tucked in his boots. One of the meI
relieved him of his revolver, while an
other drew ring with the point of 8
dirk knife on the ground. When al
was ready the principals started fol
the center Of the ring.
The spectators were looking for the
fight to begin when they were startled
at seeing Jim lying on his back. His
antagonist had planted his fist un
der his jaw so quickly that ordinary
eyesight was incapable of following
the action Jim sat up and looked
about him, indicating that he scarcely
understood what had happened. Ther
he rose to his feet, but before he could
square himself on his legs he was
down again.
He began to get riled and, jumping
up with fair agility, went for his
enemy like bull, aiming a blow a
his cheek. But his enemy was mo-
there, and before Jim could aim an
other blow an arm was around hi.
neck, and he was receiving a quick
succession Of taps on his nose, bring
ing stream Of blood, which tricklet
on the virgin soil of Colorado. He
struggled desperately to free himself
but that crooked arm was like iron anG
was choking him. When both eyes
were closed and his nose resembled 8
beet he was released and stood totter
ing and cropping. One of his party went
to him and led him back to the coach
Every one understood what the
fight was about, and all united in q
shout Of triumph. The conquered mar
was helped up on to the coach by his
friends. The checkerboard man re
sumed his coat and vest and climbed tc
his seat by the driver. When all were
aboard the driver chirruped to the
horses and the coach rolled on. 1t had
been stopped just seven minutes
At the next relay was an eating
house, where dinner was served. AL
left the coach and before dining gath
cred around the checkerboard man, of
fering him congratulations, the ladies
Of the party being especially compli
mentary in their remarks. The -four
men who had done the loud talking
kept by themselves, but when the con
querOr was granted respite his victim
shufl1ed up to him and put out his
hand.
stranger" he said, "whar did ye
learn how to handle yer fists?"
"Oh. that's my profession. | run q
school for boxing in Chicago
"Y' don't mean IT."
With that the fellow skunk away
and when the coach started up again
neither he nor any of his friends was
with It, They had received so many
marks Of disfavor from the passengers
that they did not care to finish the
journey with them. As for the check
erboard man. he had the satisfaction
of being hero for the rest of the ride