A COWBOY'S NERVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5733, 28 November 1896, Page 1

A COWBOY'S NERVES.

One morning in Silver Ranch a wild yell was heard at the far end of the street, and ' the anxious inhabitants, who momentarily poked out their heads, saw "Terranteler Tom " on his pony dashing up the street discharging a revolver from each hand. Tho heads disappeared, and it was a deserted street, Avith but one inhabitant. That temporary, solid citizen was the aforesaid "T. Tom, Esq." A sign stayed his wild flight. Upon that sign was the inscription, "Dr Hopkins, Surgeon Dentist." When the reliable old citizens, cautiously looked out and saw the pony in front of the dentist's they knew Tom had the toothache, and realised that there was fun ahead. Of course, they knew he'd only shoot the dentist, and wind up with a friendly drink all around, so they ; gathered around the doors and windows j of the tooth-pulling shop to see if Tom's hahd was just as steady as ever. Tom. opened the conversation as follows : — "You long-legged grasshopper, pull this tooth, and be quick as lightning and gentle as a j zephyr." "All right. Sit down in that chair, and I'll ' yank ' it out for you." Tom leaned back in the chair, with a cocked revolver in each hand, aud replied : " You just get the drop on that tooth now, or I'll yank you." Dr Hopkins had a chair fixed for just such customers. He had a heavy galvanic battery under the seat which could throw a circuit heavy enough to paralyse Jumbo, and he just quietly turned a knob on "Terranteler Tom," and walked around and took the pistols out of his hands. Tom writhed as though he were fastened to the chair of the Inquisition; his eyes stood out like door knobs ; he tried to yell, but no sound escaped his lips. It was something new to Tom, he did not understand it ; he had never heard of a galvanic battery, and he thought Le was going- to die. Quickly the dentist pulled the tooth, took the remaining cartridges out of Tom's revolvers, and then gradually letting up on the battery, he said cheerfully : " Tooth is out, sh, sdol, please." "What in all the tarnal grizzlies and wild cats was the matter with me while you was pulling that tooth ? " " Oh, your nerves just gave way a little. That's the way with most everybody when they get in a dentist's chair." Tom' was so ashamed to think his nerves had given way that he paid the dentist, invited all hands to drink, and rode off a?s gentle as a lamb, thinking for the first time in his life that he had mistaken his vocation and ought to enter the ministry.