Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-21
WHAT A LIE DID.
A Candidates Story of an Adventure.


! l once had an example of how we'll If is
to tell the truth, said a gentleman who
was once prominent candidate for Gov
/ ernor of Arkansas. Some time ago was
/ travelling on horseback through n very
lonely part Otthe country. | was never a
brave man, and was not in the least sur
/ Prlsed upon discovering that was scared.
Every rustic of the leaves, every sudden
/ cry OF a bird startled me. / couldn't think
/ of anything but robbers and desperadoes
and shuddered as l remembered man.
| who, years ago, had been found in the
/ woods murdered in cold blood Every
feature of the CHASTITY face came up, and
/ turned sick when the gaping wound in his
throat came up with startling verisimili-
tude.
While 1 thus reflected, short turn of
the lonely road, winding around thickly
wooded hill, brought me almost face to
lace with two men who seemed to be
standing for me. Their horses were
hltched 10 neighboring grapevine, and
the suggestive manner in which they
looked at the animal | was riding sent a
thrill like streak of ice-water up nv
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 the
question, for any such move on my part
would, was convinced, prove certain
death. For the first time in my life | re-
solved to play the bully, and, assuming
what fancied was an uncOncerned eX-
preston, L said, ''GOOd morning"
far?'
Il don't know that it is any of YOUR
business" | replied. II don't want any
trouble with you, for | have decided to
lead better life. Never again do l want
1t said that l shed the blood of a human
being.''
"a bad man, reckon" said one Of the
desperadOes.
''At one time l could not have denied
such an accusation; but, as tell YOU, |
have resolved never to kill another man.
nope that you will not modest me-"
Hold on, pardnerr
''I'ye got no time to talk"
but hold on! What's your name?"
I'm Bill PostOn, the outlaw, and the
man of whom you have often heard. |
have killed men for less than this, and l
don't want you to cause breaking ofmy
resolve"
do as you like about your resolve"
said the taller of the desperadoes. 81
don't know who you are, but | know that
you are not Bill PoSton, the robberr
'How do you know?"
Because l am Bill POst0n, and this is
my brother"
''Oh, Lordv' 1 supplicated; ''have mer-
cy on mep'
'.Climb off that horse, Cap; reckon
we'd better hang you right here"
L begged, but saw no mercy in their
eyes; prayed, but l heard no answer.
"Fll teach you how to go around the
country committing depredations and lay
ing them on to me! Fine man, YOU are!
Stole this horse, reckon. John. get that
rope of my saddle. Wen swing him up
right here"
EGOh NV hind frioodet 7 bo-o ~
mltted no depredations. | am a candidate
for Governor Of Arkansas, and am on my
way to meet an appointment at place of
discussion. You wouldn't hang a Gov
ernor, would you? Just think of what
your State would lOse!'
who is your Opp0nent?"
"COlOnel Blacket."
"What sort of a fellow is he?''
''He's bad man,
''Are you well acquainted with him?"
81 never saw him, but know that he's
bad man."
Hes much better man than YOU are,
or at least will soon exhibit more capac-
ity for executive duties than you can
possibly show. In short, he'll be the
Iyeliest man pretty sOon."
They put the rope around my neck. |
prayed in vain, l asked the Lord to for
give my sins, and closed my eyes, every
moment expecting to be drawn up,
''If l let you go will you promise never
again to use my name?"
Il swear l won't. Let me live and Pll
be better man. Pll do anything for you,
and when Pm elected Governor FH par
don you"
.'All right; you may go this time Take
OFF the rope, john"
l mounted my horse and rode away,
with fearful thankfulness and determi-
nation never to tell another lie. Next day
when reached the place of discussion
large crowd had gathered. When | an
preached the people were shouting with
laughter. Great Alexander! Some one
was relating my experience. Shovingmy
way forward recognized in the speaker
the tall man who had accused me OF tax
ing his name. He was my opponent. l
could not face the crowd, and left as rap
idly as possible. The whole thing was
joke. At the election | was defeated by
an overwhelming majority.