Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1899 — HELD UP. [ARTICLE]

HELD UP.

Why tho Porn Did Hot Bold Their Lynching Bee. There was intense excitement in the little country store when a man, hatless and breathless, rushed in and gasped out that old man Sprigging had been held up. The loungers hastily organized themselves into a posse and dashed away in the direction of the old man’s house to get the particulars. They found the old man in the front yard trying to stem the torrent of blood that flowed from his nose. “Is hit true thet ye hev bin held up?” gasped the leader, as he rushed into the yard, followed by his sternfaced men. “Yas, hit is,” whined the old man. “How much did they git?” asked the leader, as he shifted his gun and cinched up his belt. “Six bits/* whined the old man again, “an’ I wuz j umped on, an’ swatted on the nose, an’ my clothes torn.” “We’ll hang him!” shouted the crowd. “Show him to us! Wh/ir did he go?” The turmoil was suddenly quieted by a six-foot female appearing in the doorway of the little shack and asking: “What’s all this yers fuasin’ about?” ■ “Madam,” gasped the leader, “your husband has bin held up!” “Wul?” inquired the old woman, grimly, as she squared her shoulders. “An* we’re goin’ ter hang the critter what done hit!” “Oh, ye ar*?” “We aril” answered the leader; “thet is, if we kin find the critter.* “Wul, yere she is,” replied the old woman, as she spat ou her hands. “Wha-at!” gasped the leader, as he fell back. “I say yere she is,” answered the old woman again, as she produced a mop. “We won’t wait for the mournera Go ahead with the funeral!” But there was no response; the posse of avengers were already half way back to their starting place, looking for the man who couldn’t tell a hold-up from a family affair.—N. Y. World.