The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-30
Check Better Than a Gun.

The advisability Of carrying a revolver was
one of a number of topics discussed by party
Of gentlemen in an uptown cafe the other even
ing.
II always have one about me" said a young
man Il live IN new part of the city W here
there are only a few houses. We have had
number of burglaries in the neighborhood re-
Gently. Besides. I'm liable to be attacked on
my way home any night"
''Pshaw!" exclaimed another of the group-a
man whose face was bronzed. who had trav-
eled extensively. What if you are? If any
shooting is done the man who attacks you
always shoots first don't carry arms. never
have, and I've been where everybody else had
EN-, and used 'em, too"
Then he told a story.
Some years ago, " he said, al was travelling
on horseback through Nevada 1t was hard
journey. Toward evening of the first day |
came TO mining town. The hotel was tent.
The bar was board placed on two barrels
Back of 1t were bartender and bottles and
glasses. The cots for boarders and travellers
were in a room which was separated from the
barroom by partition OF canvas. retired
early was very tired, having ridden steadily
for hours, and | quickly fell asleep Pretty
soon was awakened by q commotion in the
barroom. heard a man saying, I'll blow the
whole top O. your head off, Stick out your
tongue and I'll shoot it Off And | heard an.
other man pleading for his life.
Il was annoyed. l wanted to sleep. / heard
some men who were occupying cots near me
talking in whispers.
huaL > Inc I1dJU6T OUT Llereg' asked OF
them as the threats and the pleadings began
again.
"S-s-s-h, don't speak so loud said one of
them. That's Bill Thompson, the toughest
man In camp. He's drunk, and when he's
drunk he's dangerous
u was cross. why don't some one shut him
up so that we can go TO sleepf l asked.
You can have the job we don't want it,
was the answer.
well, was so indignant at being awakened
that never thought OF danger. dressed and
stepped into the barroom. The bartender had
disappeared Only two men we're there. One
was big and brawny, with bright red hair and
beard He was rubbing the barrel of revolver
under the nose of consumptve looking little
CHAP who was kueeling before him and begging
him not to shoot
WHATS that man done that YOU should
want to shoot him?' inquired.
Il suppose my cheek must have staggered
the big man. He stared at me for a moment
you fixedY
"'Do you mean am armedP' asked.
"'Yes, he answered, with long string Of
curses,
mo 1 said, I'm not. wouldn't shoot you
IL was. But you're disturbing the whole
camp. want TO sleep. And if that man has
done anything, why, shoot him. If he hasn't,
let him 60. But don't stand here talking all
night
THAT man was the picture of astonishment.
He actually gasped. Such an experience was
unprecedented in his career He finally told
the kneeling man to get up and get out,
which he did quickly. l hunted up the barten-
der and we had nightcap together. Thomp-
son departed, shaking his head over something
apparently that he couldn't understand. 1
went to sleep. The next morning l was fright
ened at what had done was hero while
staid in camp, though. Now If had gone near
that fellow with revolver in my hand he
would surely have killed me-"
'Ill give my revolver away tomorrow" said
the young man, land cultivate cheek like
yours"