The sun., 1892-05-15
HARD LINES FOR IN HONEST DEBTOR.
The Mercifnl Skinner OF the Moon was All
that Saved Him.

that Saved Him.
ARnroTIE. Ind. May 14.-About two months
ago two men came to see John Gabbard an
old farmer living two miles from this place.
and. under tho pretence OF buying his farm.
buncoed him out OF $2.500. As these two men
came in the evening shortly after sunset Cab
bard associated the hour OF their arrival with
his misfortunes. He said he never could read
character by lamplght, and that having made
up his mind that these two men were honest.
he never changed it until they were gone with
his money. He also says he believes they
drugged him. as they dragged him into a
game Of cards. when he had never played
cards before in his life.
So he made rule that no strangers should
como in his place at any time. day or night on
pain Of being shot on sight. and that any one
who came on his place after dark. whether
friend or foe. would have to take the conse-
quences 1t got pretty well noised about that
the old man had made these rules. and when
any stranger was seen opening the road gate
OF old Gabbard's place. he was warned to halo
until the old man heard him across tho milo
OF fields between tho road gate and the house.
or else to send word by some ono the old man
knew. When the old man got these messages
he would come out to the road fence with his
gun on his shoulder and transact business.
Joo Beabout. who has the blacksmith shop
Mt the fork OF the turnpike. owed tho old man
$50 that no had borrowed on n note with tho
name OF his father-in-law. Abraham Demaree,
on tho back. Joo finally got together the
money. and had 1t in an old shot pouch behind
stone in his chimney Night before last he
started out about an hour after supper. and
walked across tho folds and hills to old Cab
bards place. When he got there the twilight
was over, and the moon was high in tho air.
making light that WAS bright enough to
"N was as about oclock When he got to the Old
mans bnck door. Ho had forgotten about tho
rule forbIdding any T. one to come On the place
would be in bed, for Gabbard generally turns
in shortly after the chickens go to roost. and
81 1uu m an y.1Sk ngas5 soon
heard the old man stirring about inside. lie
banged once or twice more for luck, being
to pay out. llc was !ust raising his big. black
ened fist to tnnmp the door again. when the
it d2Gr opened WIN re lert and a; H. teeered
didn't reach. he saw that tho old man had II
gun in his hand. This made him remember
He knew that the old Man was n man of his
word. and That he was also ablo TO back his
can lind at y turkey tournament. .ar
straight ahead, but darsl 70 one side and
Ing into the shadow Of II tree no fired. Joe
yelled and grabbed at his sloui!er Then no
leaned against the tree and n,esan to shout:
gimme a chance an Iii cit of your place!
~. Wna5 WI the tnRSsr AZ E yG for" rrowled
1t must a-been birdshot." said Joe. II
reckon I've got dozen or so In the shoulder"
,, lhet comes o shootin', in the moonlight;
with tibet thar shaEy. "nsartn moon a shinin.."
l'vo come to ray thct 500 said Joe, after
waiting IN vain for an Apology from tho old
man, and seeing hat lar from. apolociziug. he
WIS getting lngrier and angrlcr,
"oh, yc,did, hey" said the old man. "Wnal.
git along home. I've got another load Of bird
shot. an III make yer back look like pepper
box IL 80 don't make tracks"
Joe started on n dog trot for the gate. The
last thing hr heard the old man say was: I'm
c"min' by yer place IN the morning about sun
M To go 10 town You hn out and pay that
money, or. III nave ye arrested fur trespass"
Joe's wife picked out the birdshot. and he
was on hand with the money when the old
man aS SamS by by, Whee sb ne oid man counted IL
the. hull ffty an funeral expenses to boot 1t
hadn't been for that damned moonlight" he
said. as he rode on.