The Boarding-House Brawl

Gus Kirchner, who runs a boarding-house in South Seattle, had a little circus Monday with a rather respectable-looking tramp. On Sunday, a fairly well-dressed man called at the house and informed the women that he was a chief engineer in a surveying party and wanted something to eat and the best room in the house in which to sleep. He said his crew would probably be along in the evening and would also want lodgings and board for a few days. Mrs. Kirchner took special pains to entertain him, expecting the rest of the party, but they did not come. In the morning, the pretended chief expressed surprise at his companions' absence, but said that they would be along during the day. Mr. Kirchner was suspicious of the fellow, however, and a few minutes after breakfast was over he saw him moving off up the railroad track. He jumped on a horse and followed him, catching up with him opposite the White house. Kirchner asked him where he was going and the fellow said he was going up town, but would be back again in a short time. 'I want you to give me six bits right here,' said Kirchner. The fellow replied that he did not have so much, but he could get it from a certain man. Kirchner offered to go with him to get the money, but he again insisted on going up town first. Kirchner threatened to thrash him unless the amount was immediately forthcoming. The tramp was about to run when Kirchner landed his right under the fellow's ear, and he toppled over like a post. Kirchner continued his chastisement until he felt sure the fellow would feel convinced that the joke had really turned, and then he went away and left him. He is not likely to look for any more free meals in South Seattle.