Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-21
Rather Had the Drummer.

or all the mild and meek men of my
acquaintance, my friend, HaXon, is the
mildest and meeKest. And yet he has a
State reputation as a reckless and blood
thirsty citizen. Thus far it has not done
him any particular harm, but it is eX-
ceedtRgly annoying TO a man OF peace to
be regarded as a bad fellow from the head
waters of Bitter creek.
When HaXOn opened little store In a
town not very far from Atlanta, his oapi-
tai was limited and he filled up some Of
his shelves with goods TO be sold on com
mission. 1t happened upon one occasion
that he sold a hot Of goods consigned to
him and paid out the money received on
some Of his bills which we're falling due
about that time. He thought nothing
about the matter, intending when con-
venient to remit the price OF the merchan-
disc, after deducting mis- commission, to
the Atlanta house. The very next day,
however, collector representing the
city merchant called on Haxen and de
manded the money.
- haven't it Just now" said HaXon
carelessy. 'i'll remit in a few DAYS"
The collector was new man. and
something of bulld0aer. He mentally
sized up the pleasant looking country
merchant, and at once determined to
make him feel bis power. Drawing him
harsh, insulting tone:
you've sold the sO0ds"
"Oh, yes,o was the reply
"And used the mOneR"
''JGst SOP
''Do you know what the law calls
that?' Numbered the collector.
HaXon was standing behind his coun-
ter, and just back OF him lay a double
barreled shotgun. Withou; making any
reply he picked up the gun and com
menced f0Ohng with the lock. He was
very awkward and bungled so with it
that the gun pointed directly at the col
lector. That individual lodged time or
two, and then snaTled.
Wv hat are you doing, anyhow
~ want to make this thing work more
easily, II ! can" said HaXon, still fooling
with the gums hammers and triggers,
and again turning it in the direction OF
the uneasy Atlanta man.
''Well, / was going to say" continued
the persistent dHnner, "that | could have
you up for larceny after trust"
Great ScOttv said HaXon, ''the ham,
mer came down on my hand. l must be
more careful"
Say, is that blank thing lOaded2"
yelled the collector.
"Of course il is, both barrels"
''Well, don't turn il this way any more.
Put 1t down until we settle this business"
''I've given you my answer, f." said HaX-
on, land there Is nothing more to say. BY
the way, want sixty days on that BILL -
''You can't have it," replied the other.
''YOu got the money for the goods and
converted il 60 your own use. 1t is my dll-
ty 70 prosecute. COnfOund it'll Turn that
blasted gun away, will your
But liaXon, with smiling face, kept
on monkeying with his weapon, pointing
the muZZle now at his VISITORS head, and
now at his body, and yet all the time in a
way that seemed to forbid the conclusion
that he had any sinister design.
While thus engaged HaXon hurt his
hand, and with frOwning face he bObbed
the shooting iron around more recklessly
than ever.
Hanged il l don't do it, he muttered
''HOld ont" exclaimed the collector
'It's all right. Pll agree to your terms.'
And the man backed into a corner shlVer.
ing with terror.
"SiXty daysp
eyes, yes. Take your time. Remit al
your convenience"
HaXOn laid the gun down.
q thought YOU would listen TO reason -
he said. "Call and see me again when
you come to town"
The travelling man from Atlanta did
not btdy AOuk III the lidCcs Out ne let IL out
to a few friends that he had narrowly es-
capped being assassinated. He laid all the
facts OF the case before lawyer, but the
latter who knew the merchant well laugh
ed at che idea of treating the matter seri-
Ously.
'You can't prove that he meant to use
the gun on YOU" said he, "nOr that he
aimed IL at you Intentionally. Accord
ing to your own account he made no
threats. HaxOn's all right, just let him
alone"
The collector gave a glowing account OF
his adventure when he returned to the
city. All the drummers got hold OF it,
and il became one OF their stock stories
on the road. Once l asked HaxOn about
it, but he merely wiBked and said nothing.
He is now treated with the greatest defer
ence by all who come in contact with him,
and more than once | have seen a crowd
scatter when be calmly reached back TO
his hip pocket for his handkerchief. The
man never had a fight in his lite, and
probably never will have one, but he ia
doomed TO go through life with the repu-
tatiOn o. a desperate, "A man Of violence,
who Is ready at the drop OF a hat TO shed
blood by the bucket full. This Is only one
Of the many instances Of the worlds un-
just judgment.