The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-07-17
WHAT \ LIE DID.

once had an example of how we'll IL
is to tell the truth" said gentleman who
was once prominent candidate for Gov
ernor of Arkansas. "Somctme ago |
was travelling on horseback through
very lonely part of the country. was
never 4 brave man, and was not i'll the
least surprised upon discovering that |
was scared. Every rustic of the leaves,
every sudden cry Of bird, startled me.
| couldn't think of anything but robbers
and desperadoes, and shuldcrcd as | re-
membercd man, who, years ago, had
been found in the woods, murdered in
cold blood. Every feature of the CHASTITY
face was recalled, and turned sick, when
the gaping wound in his throat came
up with startling vcrisimlitudc.
While | thus reflected, a short turn
of the lonely road, winding around
thickly 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 a
thrill, like streak of ice-Water, up my
back. saw at once that they were drs-
perate men, and felt that they would not
hesitate to kill me- Flight was out ofthp
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 | fancicd was an unconcerncd cN-
preston, | said, good morning.
How are you:" they replied. 60
ing far:'
81 don't know that it is any OF your
business" | replied. don't want any
trouble with YOU for | have decided to
lead better life. Never again do | want
it said that | shed the blood of human
being"
"a bad man, | rcckon," said one Of
the despcradoes.
AT one time could not have denied
such an accusation but, as | tell YOU,
have resolved never to kill another man
| hope that you will not modest me
Hold on podner:"
Eve got no 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
don want you to cause a breaking of my
resolve"
"Do as you like ahout your resolve"
said the taller Of the leSrcradors ED
like to give You a bit of advice. don't
know who you are, but know that you
are not Bill Poison, the robbcr."
How do you know ~
: Because, am Bill Poison. and this is
my brothcr''
"oh, Lord -nrpicatcd, "havc
mercy on me '"
"Climb of that horse, Cap; | reckon
we'd better hang You right here"
begged, but | saw no mercy in their
eyes, | prayed, but | heard no answer.
Gill teach you how to 90 around the
country, committing deprcdations, and
laying them on to me. Fine man, Won
are! Stole this horse, reckon. John,
get that rope Oft nv saddle Wen swing
him up right here"
son, my kind friends. | never com
mitted any depredationS. | am cand-
date for Governor of Arkansas, and am :
on my way to meet an opponent ut a
place of discussion You would't hang a
Governor would You: Just think of
what your State would lose ~
wv no is your opponent -
"Col Blacket'
"N hat sort OF 4 fellow is he -
He's n bad man"
Are you we'll acquainted with him ~
g never saw him. but know that he's
4 bad man.
81 He's much better man than YOU are.
or at least will soon exhibit more capacity
for executive duties than YOU can posi-
bly, show. In short, he'll he the ivelest
man pretty soon
"They put the rope around my neck
| prayed in vain. | asked the Lord to
forgive my sins and closed my eyes, cv
cry moment expecting to be drawn up
" If | let you 90 will you promise never
again to use my name"
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 vou.''
"Al right, you may 90 this time.
Take off the rope, John"
Z" mounted my horse and rode away,
with fearful thankfulness and determ-
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. Shov-
ing my way forward, recognized in the
speaker the tall man who had accused me
of taking his name He was my oppo-
nent. | could not face the crowd, and
left as rapidly as possible. The whole
thing was a joke At the election was
defeated by an overwhelming majority"