The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-07-21
WHAT A LIE DID.

a Candidates. Story Of an Adventure.
once had an example of how well 1t
Is to tell the truth, said gentleman
who was once prominent candidate
for Governor of Arkansas. Some time
ago 1 was travelling on horseback thrO'h
very lonely part of the country. l was
never brave man, and was not in the
least surprised upon discovering that l
was scared. Every rustic of the leaves,
every sudden cry Of bird startled me.
l couldn't think of anything but robbers
and desperadOes, and shuddered as re-
membered man who, years ago, had
been found in the woods, murdered in
cold blood. Every feature of the ghast-
ly face came up, and l turned sick when
the gaping wound in his throat came up
with startling veri similitude.
While thus reflected, a short turn of
the lonely road, winding around a
thiekly wooded hill, brought me almost
face to 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 was riding,
sent thrill like q streak OF icewater up
my back. L saw at once they were des-
perate men, and felt they would not hes
itate 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 l
resolved to play the bully, and, assum-
ing what l fancled was an uncOncerned
expression, 1 said, "GOod morning"
How are yOup" they replied. go
ing farP"
IL don't know that it is any Of your
business" replied. 81 don't want to
have any trouble with you, for have
decided to lead a better life. Never
again do want it said shed the blood
of 9uman being"
"a bad man, reckon, said one Of the
desperadOes.
"At one time could have denied such
an accusatiOn; but as l tell you, have
resolved never to kill another man. l
hope you will not modest me.
Hold on, pardnerP
"I've got no time to talk"
But hold Onl What's your namep"
"Pm Bill Poison, the outlaw, and the
man of whom you have often heard.
have killed men for less than this, and
IdOn't want you to cause breaking of
my resolve"
"DO as you like about your resolve" A."
said the taller of the desperadOes. 'T'd
like to give you bit of advice. don't
know who you are, but know you are
not Bill Poison, the rObber."
"HOw do you knOwp
Because am Bill Poison, and this is
my brother"
''Oh, LordF' supplieated; 'have mer-
cy on meP'
"Climb off that horse, Cap; 1 reckon
we'd better hang you right here"
L begged, but saw no mercy in their
eyes; prayed, but heard no answer.
"Pll teach you how to go around the
country committing depredatiOns and
laying them on to mel Fine man you
arel Stole this horse L reckon. John,
get that rope off my saddle. Well swing
him up right here"
"Oh, my friends, I've committed no
depredatiOns. lam candidate for Gov
ernOr of Arkansaw, 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 loser
"WhO Is your OppOnentp"
Colonel Biacket."
what sort of a fellow is hep"
Hes bad man."
"Are you we'll acquainted with himP''
81 never saw him, but / know he's a
bad man."
Hes a much better man than you
are, or at least will soon exhibit more
capacity for executive duties than you
| can possibly show. In short, he'll be
the liYeliest man pretty sOOn."
They put the rope around my neck.
prayed In vain. asked the Lord to for
give my sins, and closed my eyes, every
moment expecting to be drawn up.
'If let you go will you promise new
er again to use my namep"
81 swear won't. Let me live and I'll
be better man. I'll do anything for
you, and when I'm elected Governor I'll
pardon YOU"
0AII rI0ht. you rnauy o,o tbfa tIna
Take off the rope, john"
l mounted my horse and rode away,
with fearful thankfulness and deter
mination 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. ShOv-
ing my way forward l recognized in the
speaker the tall man whe had accused
me of taking his name. He was my Op-
pOnent. could not face the crowd, and