The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-17

/
| one straddle than amy animal of his
| breed you ever see. Jumping on IL dead
| level WAS his strong suit. you under
] stand. and when it come to that Smiley
would ante up money OH him as long
as he had Il red. Smiley was mon
strous proud of his frog. and well he
might be- for fellers that had Travelled
and been every where's all said he laid
over any frog that ever they see.
"Well. Smiley KEEP the beast in Il lit
tie lattice box. aiId he used to fetch
him downtown sometimes and lay for
a bet One day feller-a stranger in
the camp he was-cone acrost him
with his box and says:
".What might it he that you've got
in the box:
And Smiley said. sorter Indifferent
like. 1T might be il parrot. or it might
be canary maybe. but it ain tits
only just frog ->-.,.
And the Teller took it and looked at
it careful and turned it around this
WAY and that and says: Hin So it's.
Well. what's he good for:'
We'll. Smiley says. easy and care
less. hes good enough for one thing.
should Judge He can outjump any
frog I'D SdLtNeTdS county
"The Teller took the box again and
took another long. particular look and
give it back to Smiley and says very
deliberate. We'll. I don't see no p'ints
about that frog that's any better'n any
other frog
Maybe You don't Smiley says
Maybe you understand frogs. and
maybe You don't understand EN-
Maybe you've had experience. and
maybe you amt only a amateur. as it
were Anyways I've got my opinion.
and I'll resk $40 that he can outjump
any frog in Caaveras county
And the Teller studied "a minute and
then says kinder sad-like Well. I'm
only a stranger here. and l amt got
no frog but if had a frog. I'd bet
you
And then Smiley says: That's all
right: that's all right. If you'll hold
my box Il minute I'll go and get you
a frog And so the Teller took the
box and put up his $40 along with
Smiley's and set down TO wait.
$50 he sat there Il good while think
ing and thinking to hisSelf and then
he got the frog out and pried his
mouth open and took a teaspoon and
filled him full of quail shot. filed him
pretty near up to his chin and set him
on the floor. Smiley he went to the
swamp and stopped around in the mud
for long time. and finally he ketcb
ed frog and fetched him in and give
him to this Teller and says:
Now. if you're ready set him along
side of Dun'. with his forepaws just
even with Dan'rS. and I'll give the
word Then he says. 'One-two-
three-gitr And him and the Teller
touched UP the frogs from behind and
the new frog hoped off lively. but
Dan'l give a heave and hysted up his
shoulders 50. Ike Frenchman, but it
warn't no use. he couldn't bulge. He
was planted as solid as a church. and
he couldn't no more stir than if he
was anchored out Smiley was good
deal surprised. and he was Disguised.
too. but he didn't have no idea what
the matter was, of course.
1.-The Teller took the money and start
ed away. and when, he was going out
at the door be sorter jerked his thumb
over his shoulder. so at Dan'l. and says
again. very deliberate, Well he says.
II don't see no p'ints about that frog
tudL - ANY Uei Ter IL any Otu0r frog.
Smiley he stood scratching his
head and looking down at Dan'l a long
time and at last he says. Il do wonder
what in the nation that frog throws
off for. | wonder if there amt some
thing the matter with him. He pears
to look mighty baESy somehow And
he ketched Danl by the nap of the
neck and hefted him and says. Why,
blame my cats. if he don't weigh FIVE
pound" and turned him upside down.
and he be!ched out double handful
of shot. And then he. see how it was.
and he was the maddest MAN. He set
the frog down and took out after the
Teller. but he never ketched him.
and
CHere Simon Wheeler heard his
name called from the front yard and
got up to see what was wanted.'
Turning to me as he moved away. he
said. Just set where you are. stranger
and rest easy amt goin' to be gone
a second"
But. by your leave. I did not think
that "a continuation Of the history of
the enterprising vaga bond. Jim Smiley.
would be likely to afford me much in
formation concerning the Rev. Leon
idus w. Smiley. and so I started away
At the door | met the sociable Whee
Ter returning. and he buttonhOled me
and recommenced:
well. this yer Smiley had yaller
one eyed COW that didn't have no tail.
only jest short stump like u bannan-
ner. and
However. lacking both time and in
clination, I did not wait to hear about