The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-07-01
A BLIND MANS gHor.
Aimed to XIII and the Bullet SPED Unerr.
inRly ON Tta Co,rsa

y |
, lateS New York Sun writer when
observed white man mounted on
mule before me- He was facing me
with his Winchester lying across hi
saddle and was evidently waiting
his head was inclined to the front
like one listening intently, and as
rode up he cried out:
Hello, soldierH'
Hello to your
This is White Horse fordp"
YES"
There is lone cotton wood to the
lett and large rock to the right"
can't you see that there isP'
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 We're closed as if in sleep and
had blush appearance
'Ihe flame OF a towards gun did
1t" he quietly observed as he dis.
mounted. Will you lead me to the
rockP Alb, Pm all right now. Never
mind the mule; he won't stray. Op-
posite me on the other de is dead
cottonwood with one side of it black.
cned by fire."
YES"
'Now look to the east over the
trail running along the opposite bank
and tell me you see anybody"
'Yes l do About three miles up
is a man coming on horseback"
THANK you; am in time. Sorry
to bother you, but If you were blind
I'd do as much for you. As soon as
you can make out the color OF the
horse tell me what it IS"
1T is bay" l answered him az
the horseman came nearer
Us he riding lastP"
Yes"
Does he wear black felt som.
6rerOP"
No; white onen
'Ah. that's good. Now, then. keep
quietr'
He stood behind a rock with his
rlhe In his hands and bent his head to
the east to listen, From the smile on
his face think he heard the foot
steps OF the coming horse while yet q
mile away. The river was only few
yards wide Mt that point with q
wagon road running along the other
bank east and west Only the one
man was in sight
Hes coming fast observed the
olind man.
Yes at a gallop."
Now he's passing the twin cotton.
woodsp"
Yes"
Now he's at the curve where
the waters OF the spring run
down."
Yes"
Now he's on the stretch to the
iord?'
Yes"
Bay horse white felt sombrero,
long, black hair and bushy, black
whiskersP"
'Yes."
Good l can't miss him.
Up went his rifle pointed at the
dead cottonwood opposite. The big
rock hid us from sight OF the flying
horseman as he drew nearer; but he
did not appear to be looking around
him. He was leaning forward in his
saddle and gazing straight ahead.
did not realize the situation until too
late to interfere. Had l been told in
plain words what the blind man was
there for l should not haveput forth a
hand. He would have turned on me
and killed me off hand had meddled.
For two or three seconds the rock hid
the horseman. Then he shot out into
view from the western face. The
bind man had been holding his rifle
to his face for ten seconds He could
not see the sights, but it was the
natural way. His hearing served him
as we'll as my vision. On the instant
that the rider was in line opposite he
fired and the man threw up his arms
lurched right and left and finally
pitched headlong to the. earth.
will you kindly see il he is dead"
asked the blind man as he lowered his
rifle.
mounted and forded the stream.
The man lay on his back, arms out
stretched, 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
cliuched the barrel Of his rifle with a
death grip. rode bach and said that
he was dead.
Thanks, thanksy' repliel the
blind man. The boys routed him
out above this morning. and l was
sure he would pass, this way"
WHO was hep"
THE coward who blinded mel Will
you please lead up my mule? An,
heye he is! | can get along nicely
now. Good day to you sir; and l re-
peat that | am much obliged very
much obliged, sir "
And he rode off to the east and left
me sitting on my horse staring after
him, and wondering IL had dreamed
1t all.
Above Criticism.
A slight criticismAof French cav
Rlrv officer who rode in tina Paris