The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-11-11

70 Mr.. Gillian, who is both taller and
broader than either Mr.. O'Farren or
MIR. Schrader, that he stand IL the rear;
that Mr.. O'Farrell, who is next in size,
stand in front of Mr.. Gillian, and that
Mr.. Schrader, 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
chance of getting shot in case my car
fridge is heavily loaded with powder"
They all acceded Immediately.
There was pause. The colonel was
looking away, thinking. Of a sudden
he turned around, and lifting his hat
said, with your permission, gentle
men," then took up a pistol, cooked it
and aiming quickly at an oyster can
about fifty yards off fred. The can was
not hit. l 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 44-cahber car
tridges in my coat-enough to load all
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 out 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-
manning. Suddenly he yelled:
BLANK cartridges! Fraud, by -
and turning around he saw them dis
appearing. He grabbed few cartridges
| out of the box and started after them
| loading as he ran. Then we saw him
p-aim-fre-then fire again. We
saw his second give a lunge; then we
heard his yell; then 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 shall never forgive"
He grabbed his box of cartridges and
! started after them, loading his pistol as
| he went. We followed. When we
reached the crest of the hill they saw us
and started on again. When they saw
us still coming they continued up the
track on a run, one limping badly.
We saw them flag freight train, and
as it slowed up they swung on. We
then returned to town.
left next morning for Washington,
having requested DR.. X. to write me
the particulars of the outcome.
Here is the letter:
MY DEAR sIR-About three days after you
! left, overtures were made to Girardeau TO
allow the men to return. They thought that
his anger by that time would have cooled. But
it had not.
Mrs. Gillian finally was obliged to call on the
| colonel, as her money was all gone, and, heT
| husband not being at work, tradesmen refused
to trust her. She won her case.
| She then began pleading fer O'FarFeH.
Madam" said the colonel, do you need two
husbands?"
'Of course not" she answered, turning fiery
red.
Il thought not" said he, 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, bu'
the others return at the risk OF their lives OF
mine. Good day"
Gillian has returned. O'FRrreI and Schradel
| 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 jo!,ers.
| As was coming here to write this letter
met Girardoau in the Star of the West.
"Colonel,"I said, from your experience o.
|, | the last few days, what Is your adNice?"
TO you personally or to the worldf"
''To tie world"
Then tell the world this: DO not monke!
! with Missouri"
, With kindcst regards from the colonel ant
/ myself yours sincerely, ", NJ. d.
F rank Loringen i'll San Francisco Ar
gonaut.