The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-09-24

D lu1 hdH uetu atTHnBtu. NOW, Wien
shoot, Of course must choose one OF
you, and as l may get killed on the first
shot it is manifestly unfair that two of
| you should not have the chance of being
killed by me. The one shoot at will
be killed certainly. l am an expert.
| Now, gentlemen, allow me TO suggest
/ to Mr.. Gillian, who is both taller and
broader than either Mr.. OFarrell or
Mr.. Schrader, that he stand in the rear,
that Mr. O'Fairell, who is next in size.
stand in front Of Mr.. Gillian, and tnat
Mr.. Schrader,w who is diminutive, stand in
front Of both and all stand close up. In
that way you can all shoot one over the
other, and each one may thus have a
chance Of getting shot in case my car
fridge is heavily loaded with powder"
They all acceded Immediately.
There was a pause The colonel was
looking away, thinking. OF sudden
he turned around, and lifting his hat
said, with your permission, gentle
men, then took up n pistol, cooked it
and aiming quickly at an oyster can
about fifty yards off fired The can was
not hit. heard him mutter. "This is
strange" He cooked the revolver again
again fired What, not even DUST"
/ heard him say.
Again he cooked the revolver. then
aimed and fired, Nothing.
"Gentlemen, he said, turning around.
''there is something wrong here, but
fortunately have some 4I.culiber car
tridges in my coat-enough to load ali
four guns" and he walked toward his
overcoat.
The two seconds and the three princi-
pals looked at each other. When they
saw the colonel pull ont box Of car
tridges they turned around simultane-
ously and ran-up the road, toward the
bend, the curve in the track.
The colonel had his back toward the
runners, and was SO occupied throwing
out the empty shells that he did not hear
them going, the doctor and l alone re-
naming Suddenly he yelled:
"Blanl1 cartridges! Fraud, by -
and turning around he saw them dis
appearing He grabbed "A few cartridges
out Of the box and started after them
loading as he ran. Then we saw him
experimentation, fire again. We
saw his second give a lunge; then we
heard his yell; tleu we saw him run
faster than before. The colonel sent
another Shot after Them but they were
too far Then he returned to us.
We examined all the pistols. All
were loaded with powder and paper
wads.
Girardeau was white with anger.
"This insult l shall never forgive"
He grabbed his box Of cartridges and
started after them, loading his pistol rs
he went. We followed. When we
reached the crest Of the hill they saw MS
and started on again. When they saw
us still coming they continued up the
track on "A run, one limping badly.
We saw them lag a freight train, and
as it slowed up they swung on. We
then returned to town.
l left next morning for Washington,
having requested DR.. Y. to write me
the particulars of the outcome
Here is the letter:
My DEAR sm-About three days after YOU
left, overtures We're made TO Girardcau 20
allow the men to return. They thought that
his anger by that time would have cooled But
1t had not.
Mrs. Gillian finally was obliged to call on the
colonel, as her money was all gone, and. her
husband not being at work, tradu-mcn refused
to trust her. She won her case
She then began pleading for OFarrcll.
Madam" said the colonel, "do you need two
husbands?n
"Of course not" she answered, turning fiery
red.
II thought not" said he, as he politely
opened the door To let her pass out. Madam
your husband for your sake can return with
perfect safety so far as ! am concerned, but
the others return at the risk Of their lives or
mine. Good day."
Gillian has returned. OFarrell and gchrader
have found work at Socorro. and the two sec
onds have sent for their things and are going
up north.
am glad to say that one practical Joke has
turned out against the iokers
As was coming here to write this letter !
met Girardeau in the star Of the West
Colonel" said, from your experience Of
the last few days, what Is your Gdviccg"
To you personallyOr To the world:"
ITO the world"
''Then tell the world this: DO not monkey
with Missouri"
With kindest regards from the colonel and
myself, yours sincerely, ", NJ. D.
Frank Loringen in San Francisco Ar
gonaut.