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Show A FAIR BARGAIN. A man from Washtenaw County, this state, found himself in Custer City one day last fall without a nickel in his pockets. He was wondering what he should or could do in this emergency when a hand was laid on his shoulder and a stranger said in his ear "Surrender quietly and it will be all right, but if you go to pulling your shooter I'll drop you!" <br><br> "WHO do you take me for?" asked the Michigander. "FOR Jim Russel, of course, and you've got to go over to Deadwood with me. Been looking for you more'n a month." <br><br> THE prisoner set about convincing the officer that he had made a mistake, and this he was able to do after a time. He had the general look of the man wanted but the officer finally said "It's clear to me that I've made a mistake, and that you are all right. How are you fixed?" "I'm strapped." <br><br> "GOOD. This is my first case since I was made deputy. If I go back with out a prisoner the boys will give me a racket. Now, I'll tell you what I'll do. I want to take you over to Deadwood as Jim Russell. Jim is a hard case, and they offered to bet ten to one that I couldn't collar him. You look enough like him to pass muster in the evening. I'll show you off, get the brag over the boys, and then lock you up with a saw in your hand. The bars are only wood, and you can escape in an hour. Do this for me and I'll give you $30 in cash." "ALL RIGHT," was the ready response, and the programme was carried out to the letter. The Michigander was exhibited, well fed, and before midnight was out of jail and lodged in a boarding house. Next morning he took a clean shave, bought some new clothes, and the "notorious Jim Russell" was hunted for and not found. - Detroit Free Press. |