San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-08-02
What q Lie Did.
Arkansaw Traveller.

y ho was once a prominent candidate
WIZ Governor of Arkansas. Some
i s,o AGO | was travelling on horse
s au through very lonely part of the
pSntry. l was never a brave man,
s suS was not in the least surprised
suo an discovering that 1 was scared.
S Fyery rustic of the leaves, every sud
l i.n cry of bird startled me. I
a aoouldn't think of any thing but rob-
Ssrs and desperadoes, and shuddered
w. wi remembered man who, years
NO had been found in the woods
n%Snrdered in cold blood: Every feature
= the CHASTITY face come up, and 1
armed sick when the gaping wound
IN his throat came up with startling
YER. similitude. W. - . :" IS
W While thus reflected, a short turn
II the lonely road, winding around q
th;cklv wooded hill, brought me al
most face to face with two men who
seemed to be standing for me. Their
horses we're hitched to a neighboring
nrane.vine, and the suggestive manner
p Which they looked at the animal I
WAS riding sent a thrill like a streak
If ice. water up my back. l saw at
once that they were desperate men,
and felt that they would not hesitate
to kill me. Flight was out of the
question, for any such move on my
nnart would, I was convinced, prove
certain death. For the first time in
nv life l resolved to play the bully,
and, assuming what l fancied was an
unconcerned expression, 1 said,
Good-morning." e
"How are you2" they replied. go
ing far9"
YOUR bnsiness." I replied. II don't
want any trouble with you, for l have
decided to lead better life. Never
again do want it said that I shed
the blood of a human being"
"a bad man, I reckon" said one of
the desperadoes.
AT one time could not have de-
MED such an accusation; but, as I tell
YOU, I have resolved never to kill an
other man. I hope that you will not
modest me.
Hold on, pardner!"
1.-Two oot M time TO talk"
"But hold on! What's your name?"
"I'm Bill Poison, the outlaw, and
the man of whom you have often
heard. have killed men for less than
this, and I don't want you to cause a
breaking of my resolve"
"Do as you like aboutyour resolve,
said the taller of the desperadoes.
I'D like to give you a bit of advice
don't know who you are, but l know
that you are not Bill Poison, the rob-
ber."
"How do you know"
Because I am Bill Poison, ano
this is my brother.
"Oh, Lord!" I duplicated; "havt
mercy on mel"
Climb off that horse, Cap; 1 reckon
we'd better hang you right here"
begged, but I saw no mercy II
their eyes; I prayed, but I heard ne
answer.
I'll teach you how to go aroune
the country committing depredations
and laying them on to me! Fine man
you are Stole this horse, 1 reckon
John, get that rope off my saddle
Well swing him up right here.
"Oh, my kind friends! have com
mitted no depredations. [ am can
didate for Governor of Arkansaw, ant
am on my way to meet an appoint
ment at place of discussion. Yol
wouldn't hang a Governor, woult
you? Just think of what your Stat
would lose!"
who is your opponent?.
"Col. Blacket."
"What sort of a fellow is he?
"He's bad man.
care you well acquainted with him?
81 never saw him, but know tina
he's o bad man"
"He's a much better man than yol
are, or at least will soon exhibit NOR
capacity for executive duties than you
can possibly show. In short he'll b
the iveliest man pretty soon"
They put the rope around my neck
prayed in vain. 1 asked the Lore
to forgive my sins, and closed my
eyes, every moment expecting to b.
drawn up.
"If 1 let you go will you promise
never again to use my name?
"I swear won't. Let me live anC