Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-02-09
ONLY FIVE MINUTES.

Tho Timc Man was Given to Prepar
for Deati-An Innocent Little Anus,
mont Arranged Dy Frollciome Cow
boys.
Colonel Will Middleby, who has Jus
returned from tho Indian Territory, re
latos startling experience. 81 ha
permission to traverse the Territory,
said the Colonel, "but l soon foun,
that the white scoundrcls who inhabi
the country had no regard for it. On
day wet and hungry, Istopped at sor
OF public house. A company of rougI
white mon had assembled in the bar
room OF the house. | at once noticed
that | was regarded with disfavor, au,
was on the eve of quitting the plac,
when ono fellow, as rough a man us
ever saw, said:
" 'Cap'n. what's your bus ness?'
am out here 10 look at tho coun
try
'Hain't you looked at itP'
eyes
".,Wall, what air you hangin' rom
"I have right to hang around
What rightp'
18th S. replied producing my
passport an presenting it TO him.
"Tain't worth storing room,' he
said as he coolly proceeded to tear Il
p. His companions roarcd with
Laughter. ! had pistol, but what
cold do with dozen despe alo monp
Now conIiuued the ruIian who h d
destroy my passpo t, I'VE understand
You pretty well. You are = detective,
an hain't come here after no good,
nuthcr.'
"I am not detective
do yoI mean to say that l am a
liarP'
"Tha g what he does Jackr shout.
0 one OF his companions. In a mo-
ment / was surrounded Every man
had drawn his pistol.
'I ought to kill you right hero
said th' ruillan addressed as Jack. 4
oughtcn't t. let you live another mint
Some one Ivanced and relieved me
Of my pistol.
"'Now I'll tell vol what we'll do,
said Jack. Wen Just give YOU five
minits to live Stand right thar, now,
an 10 your prayin'.'
"ln vain l pleaded. The rulIians
would not listen to me.
"'Its jes' five minutes to twelve
said Jack. Look up thar at the clock
an count your time an when twelve
o clock comes, you are gone; an if YOU
take your eyes often it in the meantime
you are gone anyhow
al gazed at the clock and began to
a prayer. Oh, how precious &
single moment Of time can be. l thought
OF my home, of my wife and children. |
The desperate men stepped behind me. |
could hear their suppressed breathing.
could hear the beating of my own |
heart. Five minutes to live. It had nj.
ready seemed an age. Would the time
never Gomez Cold perspiration rolled
down my face and almost blinded
my eyes. / could but indis-
.inctly see the face of the clock. but
knew that only minute more
vas left me. That tho wretches
would kill M l had not doubt, but
Why had th y chosen suci mothodp
Then | remember, d an article / had
'nce read, desert, tive Of the delight felt
1y suoh men in seeing victim suffer-
Death, OF itself, was not sufii lent pun
shaent The time must have nearly
'xlired. My knees were so weak that
could sosro"ly stand. ! wondered
low Id feel when the bullets should
trike rue. wondered il could hear
he report OF the pistols, heard a
augh. quickly turned and So : me-
70 standing near me The rufflans
Verc gone. l glanced at the clock.
i've minutes 10 twelve.
What are You laughing atp l de-
landod Of the negro.
cat dat ole joke dem cowboys
layed on yer. Dat ar clock ain run
In, loss. De gennermen toe me tor
In yer dis pistol. Heah it is, or haw,
awP"-Arkaasaw Traveller.