The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-23
What o Lie Did,

II once had an example of how well
it is to tell the truth, ," said gentleman
who was once prominent candidate for
Governor of Arkansas. Sometime ago
/ was travelling on horseback through q
very lonely part of the country. l was
never brave man, and was not in the
least surprised upon discovering that was
scared. Every rustic Of the leaves, every
sudden cry of bird, startled me. T
couldn't think Of anything but robbers
and desperadoes, and shuddered as
remembered man, who, years ago, had
been found in the woods, murdered in
cold blood. Every feature of the ghastly
face was recalled, and 1 turned sick,
when the gaping wound in his throat
came up with startling verismilitude.
while thus reflected, y short turn
of the lonely road, winding arould
thickly wooded hill, brought me almost
face 20 face with two men who seemed to
be standing for me. Their horses were
hitched to neighboring grapevine, and
the suggestive manner in which they
looked at the animal l was riding sent
thrill, like streak of icewater, up my
back. l saw at once that they were des-
perate men, and felt that they would not
hesitate to kill me. Flight was out of
part would, was convinced. prove GER
tein death !tor the first time in nv lie
| resolved to play the bully, and assum-
ing what fancied was an unconcerned
expression, said, good morning.
How are your" they replied. "Going
far?"
II don't know that it is any Of your
business," replied. "I don't want any
trouble with you, for have decided to
lead better life. Never again do I
want it said that shed the blood of
human being"
"A bad man, reckon" said one Of
tho desperadoes.
at one time / could not have denied
such an accusation but, as I tell you, l
have resolved never to kill another man.
l hope that you will not molest me-"
"Hold on podner 2"
"pye got no time TO talk"
"But hold on What's your name9 2"
"1'm Bill Poison, the outlaw, and the
man of whom you have often heard.
have killed men for less than this, and
don't want you to cause breaking of
my resolve"
''Do as you like about your resolve"
said the taller of the dcsperadoes. "I'd
like to give you bit of advice. I don't
know who you are, but know that you
are not Bill Poison, tho robber."
How do you know"
Because, am Bill Poison, and this is
my brother"
ooh, Lordp' 1 supplicated, "have
| me:cy on me ~
"Glimb off that horse, Cap; | reckon
! we'd better hang you right here"
II begged but saw no mercy in their
| avaR I nrava1 huf I hoord M on,r,o.
"Ill teach you how to 20 around the
country, committing depredations, and
! laying them on to me Fine man, YOU
are! Stole this horse, l reckon. John,
get that rope off my saddle. Well swing
him up right here"
ooh, my kind friends never commit
ted any depredations. 1 am a candidate
for Governor of Arkansas, and am on
ny way TO meet an opponent at 8 place
| OF discussion. You wouldn't hang n
Governor would you? Just think of
what your State would lose !'
"WLo is your opponent?"
"Col. Blaoket."
"What sort of fellow is he ?"
He's q bad man."
"Are you well acquainted with him 2"
~ never saw him but know he is a
| bad man."
Hes much better man than you are,
or at lenst will soon exhibit more capaci-
ty for executive duties than you can pos
sibly show. In short, he'll be the live
liest man pretty soon."
They put the rope around my neck.
| prayed in vaiD. asked the Lord to
forgive my sins and closed roy eyes, every
moment expecting to be drawn up"
"!fl let you go will you promise never
again to use by name"
II swear I won't. Let me live and
| III be better maa. I'll dc anything
for you, and when Pm elected Governor
I'll pardon you"
"All right, you may 60 this time.
Take off the rope, John"
II mounted my horse and rode away,
with fearful thankfulness and a determi-
nation never to tell another lie. Next
day when reached the place of discus
sion, large crowd had gathered. When
Approached the people were shouting
with laughter, Great Alexander Some
one was relating my experience. Showing
my way forward, recognized in the
speaker the tall man who had accused
me of taking his name. He was nv
opponent. could not face the crowd,
and left as rapidly as possible. The
@ho!e thing was joke. At the election
l was defeated by sc overwhelming
majority. y."-Arkansds 7fareG,r.