Huntsville gazette., 1885-10-17
sIook here. Mr.. TYLER, I can not

powder than you ever smelt BEFORE
When he had gone I sat down in de-
spair. While was thus musing, an
old friend-Billy Smith, the drummer
bounded into the office.
"Why. what's the matter, old fell
lowP" he said. noticing my look of de-
lection. / related my experience.
Now, what am l to dop" / asked.
your position Is not so enviable,"
he replied. when does your paper
come out?"
''Be out tomorrow.
"Well. you'd better slip away to-
night"
7.But that would ruin me. I have
invested my all in this Office
''Yes, that's true enough, but it's
better to lose your Office than to be shot
all to pieces"
"Of course, but what will the boys
say?''
I'd rather be laughed at than to be
killed"
you are making fun of me-"
"No, I'm not. You'd better leave
tonight"
"Billy, I wish you would buy me
out"
''Oh, you are very generous.
'Idon't know about that, but II tell
you what do know: I'm scared"
Hold on a minute" said my friend.
"I've hit ON a plan that will bring you
out all right. Yonder they sit" he
added, looking out. Now I'll show
you. understand these fellows pretty
well. Go through that garden, creep
up to the corner of that shed and listen
to what I tell 'em, so you will know
how to act"
hesitated. I didn't know what he
might say, and felt much more dis
posed to travel in the opposite direc-
ton, but after some little persuasion,
made effective by the earnestness Of
his manner, followed his directions.
/ reached. unobserved. the corner Of
the shed, and. almost tremblingly
waited to hear my friend begin con-
versation with the quiet set. Old Mat
and Hanks. 1 could see by peeping
through crack. sat near each other.
Billy arrived, and after sinking hands
with the two leaders. said:
"Well, boys, you've got terrible
fellow among you at last"
"Who is hep" Hanks asked.
THAT editor" p"
'You don't say SOP"
s'You bet do. He is the worst fell
low in the country when you get him
stirred up, but let him alone and he's
as meek as a lamb. In New Orleans,
some time ago, he got into row and
only killed three men-and one of
them was bully. just a few months
ago he laid out the worst man in Mis-
souri,. Just before he came here /
made a bet with hm-bet him a
hundred dollars that he would kin a
man before he'd been living here three
months. / saw him just now and he
talked like he wanted to hedge. Well,
take care Of yourselves. l have some
business that must attend to-"
l slipped away from the shed, went
along path. hidden by rail fence,
and when / saw that there was danger
of discovery. I climbed over the fence
and walked toward the quiet set. As l
approached every man arose and
offered me seat
"How do you like our town?'' the
Hon. Mr.. Hanks asked.
''Oh, very well. 1t is quiet, unas-
suming place. / sometimes feel that
I'd like to be where there Is a little
more noise, but I'll get used to it after
awhile"
The men looked at one another and
/ heard a young fellow whisper: Hes
got an eye like hawk. Nothin'
would please him better than to step
out an have fight
Il hope" said old Mat, ''that you
viii make your futur' home amongst
us. We likes easy-goin'. quiet sorter
folks
"Oh, We'll all understand one an
other after a while. Gentlemen" /
added, addressing Tyler and Hanks, II
would like to see you in my office for a
few moments"
Both men hesitated. ! assumed
rather severe expression Of counte-
nance and added: "Come ON, gentle
men. have business with you and /
don't want any hanging back"
They followed me to the Office ''Be
seated" said l when we had entered.
They sat down and exchanged troubled
glances. sat down, carelessly crossed
my legs and said
81 am the most peaceable man in
the world, but there are times when
war must be declared. You gentlemen
came in here few hours ago and made
very unreasonable demands of me-in
fact, threatened me. was disposed
to treat the matter lightly, but am,
as you know. in strange community;
and it is well that should teach the
people that / have come here to con-
duct my paper as / see fit. l know of
two dangerous men and / have decided
that the sooner they are removed, the
better it will be for this town. I don't
make any threats, understand. and /
impose no conditions. The thing must
be done, and, as say, the sooner the
better. / am proud to say that never
took the advantage of a man. so, gen.
tlemen, please meet me one hour from
this time"
Colonel" said old Mat, in a waver-
ing voice, "when | fust seed you /
Al - Al