The herald., 1893-12-11
THE GUN WOULDN'T FIRE
A TRYING EXPERIENCE WITH AN
EXIGENT BILL COLLECTOR.
Arthur Forre4ter Tells How He Was
Treated by Man who Poked
Him I'm the Ribs With
Gun.

The three grey hairs which have
lately appeared among the raven locks
OF Arthur Forester. the youthful clerk
of department one, Superior court, are
the results Of an experience which Mr..
Forester will doubtless remember for
many moons.
Forester is q part ownership in q
ranch situated in lonely part of the
country and his duties in Judge Smiths
department claiming all his time the
ranch is looked after by friend who
has the half interest.
As rule the friend sends the bills on to
Forester, who acts as auditor and treas
urer.
One day during the latter part of last
week Forester was busy upon his min
utes when the door swung open and q
six foot Mexican entered.
Approaching Forester, he pulled out
paper, and informed him that he had
an order from the ranch for $40, and re-
quested payment,
Being busy at the time, Forester told
the fellow to call again, and the latter
left. *
About 10 O'Clock the same night the
clerk was on his way home, and had
reached deserted part of Main street,
when, in turning corner, he came
upon the Mexican decidedly under the
influence of liquor.
Pulling out the $40 order, the Mexican
six-footer demanded instant payment.
Forester had not tumbled to the ext
gencies of the case at that time, and,
telling the fellow that he didn't transact
business at that time of night, started
to continue his way home.
But the other fellow didn't want it
that way, and, taking Forester by the
coat collar. reiterated his demand.
''You NO pay me, eh ?" he calculated.
Forester began to catch on, and at
the same time to temporize, trying to
release himself from the grip on his
collar.
II show you something" went on his
assailant. and, reaching behind him.
drew out revolver, uttering the most
horrible threats meanwhile.
When Forester saw the six-shooter
he realized that he was in most un-
pleasant predicament; the Mexican
kept on talking, but the sight of the
weapon had been too much for For
rester, and he didn't know whether his
aesailant was talking English or San
scrit, but the worst was to come.
Tightening his grip on the clerks
collar. the Mexican jabbed the business
end of the gun against the bottom but
ton of the young mans waistcoat. For
rester staggered back, and saying as
much of "Now I lay me down." etc.,
as ne could remember waited for the
gun to 60 off.
But the Mexican jabbed again and,
varying the performance, slapped the
youth on the side OF the head.
The blow knocked of Arthur's new
derby hat and sent it flying.
In spite of the trying nature of his
surroundings, the bewildered young
man couldn't help following up the
broken hat with his eye, keeping the
other, however. steadily fixed upon the
gun, but he was only allowed a minutes
distraction before he received another
winder in his waistcoat and another
slap in the face.
1t was no use obiecting, for the pro-
prietor of the revolver was big, and he
was small, so for few minutes the
Mexican played ball with him, and
tickled his ribs with the sixshooter.
Arthur's knees were trembling and
life was beginning to become q burden,
when three men came along the street,
and the Mexican seeing them gave his
victim parting cuff and left him.
Forester waited no longer, but pick
ing up his new hat, and without waiting
to put it on, went home at q 2 40 gait.
The writing on the minute book of de-
partment one has been somewhat shaky
since.