The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-04-06


 This world is full of peculiar men. How did I know but"
 "There is no use in discussing 1t now" inter- rupted. "The work is done. I should like to sec Moss"
 "Come on then"
 I went with Blue to the jail He did not 20 in. found Moss leaning against the grated door of his cell When he saw me coming down the corridor, he seized the door and shook it violently.
 "Moss," said I, "the part played in your arrest was not intentional: was merely trying to get even with you for"
 "You've done it," he broke in.
 "I had no idea that you were & robber, Moss"
 "And l had no idea that 70" were a damned sneak"
 "Listen to reason, Moss"
 "Pd rather listen to truth, but I don't hear it."
 "Wait a moment and you shall hear it.. Now in the first place, what object could have in trying to humilate you. If 1 had known that you had robbed the bank"
 "You would have given me away !" he exclaimed "1 would not shield any criminal" replied, "but should not have informed on you merely to humiliate your family. I have object in dis gracing you"
 "Yes you have. You despise Boyd Savely-you know why. You a damned coward and are afraid to meet him like a man. An, you may bite your lips all you please, but Pm giving you facts. How did you know what motive prompted me to rob the bank? Pll tell you-Pll tell the world. Ten years ago my people put money in that bank. The thing failed. The smooth gentlemen shut their doors. We couldn't get cent. They changed around and about five years later opened up bigger than ever. Still we couldn't get a cent damn them. My folks decided to let the thing go, but didn't. My crop was a failure last year, and this year 1 needed money. l got it-but what is the use of talking to & sneak?"
 "Moss, can do nothing, see, to convince you that my part in this affair unintentional. am extremely sorry"
 "You'd better be-" he broke in "You may think you've played sharp trick, but before it's done with you'll wish you hadn't been born 1 have committed crime in the eye of the law, but you have done worse. You have dragged proud fam fly down into the mire. And here, don't fool yourself by believing that the Osburys will stand by you Those people may honor the law but they despise a sneak-a suck-egg dog. Oh, you may blink your eyes. That girl will spit in your face if she ever sees you again. Why, damn your unprincipled soul, kept Boyd Savely from shoot ing you like he would a dog. You say you arc from the south 1 have yet to a southern gen. tleman that is utterly without honor"
 "I can serve no purpose by talking to you, Moss You will not heed an honest statement In your estimation the robbery of the bank was an honor able act the disgrace lies in the discovery; and even though admit that have done you & wrong l must maintain that l have rendered justice a service"
 He glared at me and violently shook the cell door. 1 turned away. He hurled a volume of oaths after me- At the jail door was met by reporter. 1 told him my story. He took it down, put could Se0 that ne ulQ not believe me. returned to my room. Should go back to Emry- vile and run the risk of being killed2 Yes, would go back.
 That evening upon taking up 8 newspaper, was again shocked. Moss had killed himself-had cut his throat with a pen knife. I boarded the train for Emryville, forgetful of publishers and "The History of Shellcutt County"-forgetful of every thing except the colonel and his famiy-of Luzelle. arrived at Emryville about ten o'clock at night. An old negro, wearing tin sign on his hat-the old wh aA fa1 f0 Ma;n Patterson's hotel-met me on the platform.
 "Come back ergin, is youT" said he. "Glad ter see you an' den I ain't"
 "Anything wrong2" asked.
 "Yas, sah, dar's CT mighty heep CT mutterin' gwine on, an you better look out-but reckon vou,c shory. uH ho 1a