Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1919-05-16

q 4>OW, WdHt 10 see TIC u1u1A tu0s
at the head of this outfit. Who pu
you up to this j0b?" ~
= Following a sound Of shutting foot
steps, the illustrious leader himself
appeared in the doorway. Bully Hack
ett's visage was one Of those of which
the worst dreams are made. While II
was rendered somewhat vacant by the
absence Of his nose. one Of his eyes
and the major portion Of his upper LIZ
unwilling sacrifices to the god Of wal
his expt ession lost none of Its feroci.
ty on that account. and his shaggy
hair and beard gave him q look that
was scarcely human. ..iz..
Mr.. Hackett had been engaged on
q private foraging expedition. and
knew nothing Of the happenings within
the saloon, nor saw the brakeman, as
he came toward the bar. " +. u
''Wot's the matter?" he inquired saw
agely. didn't ye see that freight pull
in?" T;% f., ii. u ..g-
By way, Of attracting his attention,
Brown struck him smartly on the part
Of his face formerly occupied by his
nose. -. f g. p
"Yes, an she'll lay there till she rots,
II she waits fer you to take her out.
BY the time git through with you,
you'll be ready to crawl in your hole. "
said the brakeman. He haI seen the
train crew gathered in the shadows
outside the door and now had little to
fear from the other hoboes.
Better take OF your coat, because
I'm not a-goin' to knock you out. I'll
make you quit Nike dog, SO the rest
Of these gents'll see what you are"
stated Brown, removing his own outer
garment.
Hackett waited not for further adj
vice, but dashed out 50 vlci0usly with
his right arm that Brown was taken
unawares. and. lad 1t not been for the
bar at his back, he would have gone
down ANONYMOUSLY. Even SO. he was
in an evil plight. for the tramp. seeing
his opportunity, rushed III. raining
blows on the face and body of his op-
ponent. Z
Then, indeed, did 1t seem that the
brakeman had been overco9fident in
his Boosting. The other hoboes shout
ed encouragement to their champion,
and the train crew were only restrain
ed from joining in the fight by the con-
ductor, who continued to voice his be-
lief in Browns prowess.
Veteran of a hundred battles,
Browns first move was to stop the
failing arms. This he did BY the sim
pie expedient Of twining his own about
them. Gradually. with the apparent
sinuosity Of . boa constructor, he
wrapped his limbs about those Of the
other, and for q moment lifted his own
feet clear Of the floor. making Hackstt
support the weight Of both their
bodies. Then, unmlndful of his strug-
gles, Brown az carefully freed himself.
sending the hobo backward with a
solid jolt on the spot where his FIRST
blow had landed.
Brown was intent on proving q the
DRY that he had long held. namely, that
. man. though inwardly q coward, may
tight with seeming bravery 20 long AZ
the blows OF his adversary have not
the appearance Of being well judged
or aimed with accuracy |; but that
succession Of blows, however light, on
. sensitive spot will make him quit II
he has the least vestige Of q yellow
streak. -
During the next few minutes. 50
dercely did Hackett assail him that the
brakeman was almost entirely on the
defensive. More than once he felt the
impact Of the tramp's horny fist on his
face, but he still held to his purpose.
When the opening offered, his hand
flashed out. striking with invariable
precision the spot he had selected for
his attack.
Hackett manifested his displeasure
at this mode Of warfare, evidently
thinking that Brown acted dishonor-
ably in pronting by the absence Of his
nasal feature.
For . long time they fought. neither
gaining the advantage. Brown was
bleeding freely from the mouth, and
one eye was fast swelling shut; but
his antagonist was also badly bruised,
the remnant of his nose being quite
raw. OF the two, Hackett seemed the
more faugued. Excessive drinking
had made him short-winded, and he
breathed heavily. The brakeman now
began to force the fighting. striking
more often in the same spot. Hackett
gave ground and once he glanced back,
as II seeking a way Of escape.
Stand up an fight, why don't you?"
painted Brown. .You claim to be the
champeen DO. Well. ] amt no kind of
a champeen, an here you're tryin' to
quit before git warmed up. What
kind Of flghtin' do you call that? Come
on an mix it a little.''
But Hackett had had enough. His
spirit was gone, and he skunk back into
the crowd, whimpering.
stop i'm, boys; stop 'im," he plead.
ed. my heavens, my mugs broke in!
I can't fight no more"
you don't need to be scared. I'm
answered Brown. II knew
you was gutter the minute seen
you, an wanted to show you up, so
you couldn't lead these dubS into no