Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-10-11
Whit Cans.l an ARK 1sas Ca,dilatss
ia.

/
1t is TO tell the truth. 81 n gentleman
who was once \ prominent candidate
for Governor of Arkansas. Some time
ago | was travelling on horseback
through very lonely part of the
country. l was never a brave man,
and was not in the least surprised
upon discovering that l was scared.
Every rustic of the leaves, every sud-
den cry of a bird startled me.
couldn't think of anything but robbers
and desperadoes, and shuddered as
remembered man who, years ago, had
been found in the woods, murdered in
cold blood. Every feature of the
ghastly face came up, and l turned
sick when the gaping wound in his
throat came up with startling verisimi.
litude.
While thus reflected. n short turn
of the lonely road, winding around a
thickly wooded bill, brought me face to
face with two men who seemed to be
standing for me. Their horses were
hitched to u neighboring grapevine.
and the suggestive manner in which
they looked at the animal | was riding
sent thrill like streak of icewater
up my back. saw ut 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, | was con.
vinced, prove certain death. For the
first time in my life resolved to play
the bully, and, assuming what fancied
was an unconcerned expression. l
said, Good morning"
"How are you9" they replied. $50.
ing far?"
II don't know that it is any of your
business" replied. II don't want
any trouble with you, for | have de.
cided to lead better life. Never again
do Iwant it said that | shed the blood
of human being"
"a bad man, reckon" said one of
the desperadoes.
"At one time 1 could not have de.
MED such an accusation; but, as 1 tell
you, have resolved not to kill another
man. hope that you will not molest
me-"
"Hold on, pardnerr'
'Ive got no time to talk"
but hold on! What's your namep"
'l'm Bill Poston, the outlaw, and the
man of whom you have often heard. |
have killed men for less than this, and
don't want you to cause a breaking of
my resolve"
''Do as you like about Your resolve"
said the taller of the desperadoes. 81
don't know who you are, but l know
that you are not Bill Poston, the rob.
ber."
"How do you know?'
because am Bill Poston, and this
is my brother"
"Oh, Lord!'' I supplicated; "have
mercy on mel"
Climb off that horse, Cap; l reckon
we'd better hang you right here"
L begged, but saw no mercy in their
eyes; prayed, but heard no answer.
"Ill teach you how to go around the
country committing depredations and
laying them on to me! Fine man, you
are! Stole this horse, reckon. John,
get that rope off my saddle. Well
swing him up right here"
"Oh. my kind friends! 1 have COM
mitted no depredations. 1 am candi-
date for Governor of Arkansas, and am
on my way to meet an appointment at
a place of discussion. You wouldn't !
hang a Governor, would you? Just
think of what your State would lose."
"Who is your opponcnt?'
Colonel Blacket."
"What sort of fellow is he??'
"He's bad man."
care you we'll acquainted with him?n
81 never saw him, but know that he's
q bad man."
"He's 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 liveliest man pretty soon."
They put the rope around my neck.
| prayed in vain, l asked the Lord to
forgive me my sins, and closed my ewes,
every moment expecting to be drawn
up.
''lf 1 let you 60 will you promise
never again to use my name?"
II swear | won't. Let me live and
III be better man. I'll do ANYTHING
for you, and when I'm elected Govern.
Or I'll pardon you."
.'All right; you may go this time.
lake 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
discussion, large crowd had gathered. i,
When | approached the people were
shouting with laughter Great Alex
'nder! Some one was relating my ex-
Showing my way forward I
recognized in the speaker the tall man
Who had accused me of taking his
lame. He was my opponent. could
lot face the crowd, and left as rapidly
IS possible. The whole thing was o
oke. At the election was defeated bv
u IN overwhelming majority. -Arkansaw
Traveller.