The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-09-21
What Lie Did. How Fearful Candidate
Played Bold Game and Lost

Played Bold Game and Lost,
~ once had an example of how well
| il is to tell the truth" said a gentleman
who was once prominent candidate
| for Governor of Arkansas. "Some
time ago was travelling on horseback
through a very lonely part of the
country. was never brave man,
and | was not in the least surprised
upon discovering that was scared.
Every rustic ofthe leaves, every sud
den cry of bird startled me. ! could
not think anything but robbers and
desperadoes, and shuddred as remem-
bered a man who, years ago, had been
found in the woods, murdered in cold
blood. Every feature of the ghastly
face came up, and I.turned sick when
the gaping wound in his throat rose
before me with startling verisimili-
| tude.
"When | 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 grape
vine, and the suggestive manner in
which they looked at the animal | was
riding sent thrill like streak OF 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 part would, l was
convinced, prove certain death. For
the first time in my life ! resolved to
play the bully, and, assuming what
fancied was an unconcerned expression,
| said, Good morning.
| "'How are you they replied, Going
far7'
| "G 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 l
want it said that l shed the blood of
human being
"'A bad man, l reckon, said one of
the desperadoes.
".At one time could not have de-
MED such an accusation ; but, as l tell
you, | haye resolved never to kill
another man. l hope you will not mo-
lest me.
i Hold on, partner !
. "Tve got no time to talk
, But hold on What $ your name 2
, "Im Bill Poston, the outlaw, and
the man of whom you have often heard.
, l have killed men for less than this,
f and / don't want you TO cause break
! ing of my resolve"
ado as you like about your resolve,
D said the teller of the desparadoes. Il
: don't know who you are, but know
: that you are not Bill Poston, the rob-
ber.'
"How do you know 2
"'Because l am Bill Poston, and
this is my brother
"'Oh, Lord l supplicated have
mercy on me !
"'Climb off that horse, Cap;
6 reckon we'd better hang you right
6 here
q "I begged, but saw no mercy in
n their eyes. l prayed, but l heard no
q answer.
"I'll teach you how to go around
. the country committing depredations
o and lying them on to me ? Fine man
- you are Stole this horse, | reckon
- John, get that rope off my saddle.
~ Wen swing him up right here"
:, "Oh, my friends | have commit
:. ed no depredations. l am a candidate
~ ~ for Governor of Arkansas, and am OF
NJ my way te meet an appointment at {
Ia place of discussion.
= "'Who is your opponent p
n "'Colonel Blacket.'
- "'What sort of fellow is he 2
6 "'He's bad man..
or "'Are you well acquainted wit
81 him 7?
" "I never saw him, but know tina
90 he's bad man..
"He's much better man than yo
- are, or at least will soon exhibit NOR
-, capacity for executive duties than yo
:" " can possibly show. In short, he'll |
al the liveliest man pretty SOON
G G;s "They put the rope around my neck
n 20 prayed in vain, l asked the Lord
20 forgive me Of my sins, and closed m
nd eyes, every moment expecting to
90 drawn up.
@be @ "If let You go, will you promi
70 | never again W uSe my udtue
w 81 swear | won't. Let me live al
=" III be better man. I'll do anythiI
''' for you, and when I'm elected Cove
nor III pardon you
"'All right you may go this tim
b. Take off the rope John"
o , mounted my horse and rode ava
'eu with fearful thankfulness and dett
~ mination never to tell another |
M ter Next day, when reached the place
ve. discussion, a large crowd had gather'
y When approached the people we
'.n' shouting with laughter. Great Ale
nj ~ ander Some one was relating my c
n, Ian perience. Showing my way forwarl
nlo m recognized in the speaker the tall m
ee' who had accused me of taking
M 'ua name, He was my opponent. COT
.:le not face the crowd, aud left as rapid
,Es ,,ss as possible. The whole thing wa
:"u Joke. At the election | was defeat
i"s by an overwhelming majority-ArkC
. sds Traveller.