The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-29
A BLIND MANS SHOT.
The Strange Manner in Which the Act
OF Coward was Avenged.


The Strange Manner in Which the Act
OF Coward was Avenged.
From the NetU York Sun.
had come down 20 the ford over the
Smoky Hill fork OF the Kansas river to the
west Of Mcpherson, when 1 observed O
white man m ounted on mule before me.
He was facing me. with his Winchester ly-
ing across his saddle, and was evidently
waiting. His head was inclined to the
front, like one listening intently, and as l
rode UP he Dried out:
Hello. soldier"
Hello to youm
This is White Horse fordl"
"Yes.n
There is a lone cottonwood to the left
ana large rock to the rightF
Can't you see that there isf'
mo; l have been blind for the last year.
These landmarks used to be here, but didn't
know what changes might have taken
place"
rode closer to look into his eyes. The
lids were closed as il In sleep and had a
BLUSH appearance.
The flame of the towards gun did it,"
he quietly observed as he dismounted
"Will you lead me to the rockl All, Pm all
right now Never mind the mule-he won't
stray. Opposite me on the other side is a
dead cottonwood, with one side Of it black
oned by fire."
"Yes.n
Now look to the east, over the trail run
ming along the opposite bank, aud tell me
If you see anybody
Yes. do. About three miles UP is a
man coming on horseback
THANK you; | am in time. Sorry to
bother you, but II you were blind I'd do as
out the color of the horse tell me what
1t is.n
ut is bay" l answered him as the horse
man came nearer.
lis he riding fastr
"Yesn
Does he wear black felt sombrerop
mo; white one.n
"Ah, that's good Now, then, keep quiet
He stood behind q rock with his rifle in
his hands and bent his head to the east to
listen. From the smile on his face l think
he heard the footsteps of the coming horse
while yet mile away. The river was
only few yards wide at that point, with
a wagon road running along the other bank
east and west. Only the one man was in
sight.
Hes coming fast" observed the blind
man.
Eyes, at q gnllop." ,..
Now he's passing the twin cotton
"Yes.n
NOW he's at the curve where the waters
OF the spring run down"
Now he's on the stretch to the fordp
EBAY horse. white felt sombrero, long
black hair and busy, black whiskersl"
'Goodl 1 can't miss him!r
Up went his rife, pointed straight at the
dead cottonwood opposite. The big rock
hid us from sight of the flying horseman as
ne drew nearer; but he did not appear to be
lookirg around him. He was leaning for
ward in his saddle and gazing straight
ahead. did not realize the situation until
too late to interfere. Had I been told in
plain words what the blind man was there
for should not have put forth a hand. He
would have turned on me and killed me of
hand had i meddled. For two or three
seconds the rock hid the horseman. Then
he shot out into view from the western face.
The blind man had been holding his rifle to
his face for ten seconds. He could not see
sights, but 1t was the natural way His
hearing served him as well as my vision.
On the instant that the rider was in line
Opposite he fired, aud the man threw up his
arms, lurched right and left, and finally
pitched headlong to the earth.
Twin you kindly see If he is dead ~ asked
the blind man as he lowered his rifle
mounted and forded the stream. The
man lay on his back, arms outstretched,
and his hat thirty feet away. His eyes were
shut and his jaw falling. From his right
side the blood was pouring out on the sun
baked crust, while his right hand clinched
the barrel Of his rifle with a death grip. l
rode back and said he was dead.
Thanks, thsnks!" replied the blind man,
The boys routed him out above this morn
ing, aud I was sure be would pass this
way.n
Who was he?'
The coward who blinded me! WIN you
please lead up my mulel Alb, here he is! |
can get along nicely now. Good day, to
you, sir; and | repeat that am much
obliged. very much Obliged, sir"
And he rode off to the east and left me