The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-04-12
G5e
Roundup
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By ROBERT w. CREEL
(Copyrisht.)


1t Is doubtful IL Legs Brown himself
knew. He was boomer brakeman.
and as such, he travelled by no schedule
whatever. To ordinarily find him at
any given time, you might inquire on
any railway division in America with
an equal chance Of success.
He reminded you of that insect
whose amiable disposition and atten-
uated appearance have won for it the
sobriquet OF grand daddy-longlegs."
Hence Browns own nickname. Not
outstanding his fragile proportions,
however when occasion arose he could
WELD his huge fists with force Sutfi-
cient to fracture jaW-bone or drive
4 mans ear into the side of his head
a fact that had been demonstrated to
the sorrow Of more than one belliger
ent hobo.
AS the long train Of fiat cars writhed
in and out among the sand hills,
Brown. stationed a short distance
ahead OF the caboose, was the only per-
son visible.
ductOr. had received a telegram warn
ing him to he prepared for an attack
when they entered Sandville. A large
number of hoboes were gathered there
and had taken possession of the town.
explaining to the unhappy citizens the
necessity OF majority rule, if the re-
publican form of government was to be
maintained in the land.
Previous experience similar to this
had detracted from the novelty of the
situation for the few inhabitants of
Sandville; but the hoboeS were becom-
ing holder. and spoke of capturing the
next train that came thither for the
purpose of making their escape.
Whereupon the station agent had
grown alarmed and sent the telegram.
Among his other characteristics.
Brown was intensely loyal to the road
that Glanced to employ him. Any ac-
ton such as that contemplated by the
hObOes was resented as a personal af-
front. Furthermore, at this particular
time he knew that the president of the
road was but few hours behind in
his special, and Brown deemed it his
duty to do all in his power to prevent
any unpleasantness when the great
man should arrive.
Therefore as they drew near the
little hamlet he returned to the ca
boose and conferred with the conduc-
tor.
"They's no use runnin' clear in,
Jim. You better stop on the edge Of
this here metropolis while l go in an
reconnoiter the force of the enemy. az
they say in the army"
II wouldn't advise you to go alone.
Legs. You can't tell what those boes'll
do IL they're drunk"
"Why, Jim. you know them fellers re
like sheep. The only reason l can see
for 'em actin like this is because they
got a leader. If that's the case, all |
got to is to sling him around like he
didn't cost much, an that'll take the
fight right out of 'em. Besides, If a
bunch of us go in, they'll git ready for
trouble"
"All right, you can go while we stop
for water. Thatll give you time to
see what they're up to-"
So it was that. on foot and unaccom-
panied Legs Brown ambled into the
captured town. He had no doubt as
to the location of the triumphant no.
boes. for, though it was now almost
dark, the only place that showed a
light was the saloon, and to this he d-
rected. his steps.
At the bar stood swarthy, well-set
fellow. whose curly hair and high
cheek bones. together with the pecu-
liar formation of his head. marked him
as a native of Poland. This worthy
was the most boisterous of the lot, but
Brown thought it hardly likely that
he was the leader, giving him scant
attention, therefore, as he strobe for
ward and ordered drink.
Here, We rube, We better ask me fer
what We want, r I'll break We In two"
said the tramp aggressively. pausing
In the act Of raising glass to his lips
Brown, reaching for his own drink,
seemed not to hear the words. but his
prodigious foot, rs if released from a
spring. suddenly swept up. and, strik-
ing the others hand. threw the glass,
with its contents. into his scowling
face.
A storm of laughter arose from the
onloOkers, who swore, with mighty
oaths that it was the funniest thing
they had ever seen. The victim. how
ever. laughed not at all. but beloved
with rage and pain as the fiery liquid
scared his eyes, and repeatedly yelled
for Brown to come near.
Not DESTROYS Of being masticated,
nor yet willing to move out Of the
way Of the Pole, who was blindly CROP
ing for him, Brown chose the only al
tentative, and smote him squarely be-
tween the eyes, so that he crumpled
up on the floor. Then, turning to the
mans comrades, he preached the busi
ness of the evening
Il want to tell you dirty buns that
I'm going to take charge of this here
city government from now till l leave.
If any of you've got anything to say,
why. you can step up and say 1t. You
might no ahlp Tn hluff fhoco poor dox,;,.