Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-02-10


"Td got tired of tramping, had failed as
an editor and didn't have the ambition
necessary to make my living with the ak
or spade. The foreman of the Office and
went into partnership, but he didn't
last long. He was killed last spring
near Chetopa, Kan. Poor old chapl
wanted to turn a rule for him on the ed
itorial page and give him an obituary,
but couldn't do itr
"Was liz robbing some one when he
was killed."
1.-The papers said he was. was i'll at
The time, and he was doing business sin
lie handed. Jim's great desire was to
accumulate capital enough to enable us
to go up into Kansas or Nebraska and
establish another weekly. The papers
said he tackled stage full of cowboys
and they proved too many for him. Poor
JIM He had no equal in this country
at working hand press. He'd make his
300 pull an hour right along without any
let up"
"And have you never been caught"
"Never. This seems to be right in my
line and is probably what was born for.
AS printer l was only fair success.
AS an editor was an appalling failure.
AS robber l have made no mistakes.
I've got money enough laid away to es-
tablish weekly somewhere, but hest
tate to try it. Understand me, I'm no
murderer. I've never even fired gun
at man since entering into this bust
ness. For that reason good many of
my intended victims have escaped. I
threaten and bulldoze, but there is no
blood on my hands. Would you mind
passing half or three-quarters of an hour
here alone?'
"No."
81 want to run back to the highway
and see if there is any business to be
done. Just make yourself right at home
while I'm gone. Should any strangers
walk in on you, tell 'em we are hunting
for lost stock and make 'em welcome"
He was gone about an hour. When
he returned he began bustling around
the fire to get supper and explained:
"a man came along on horseback, and
stepped out on him and invited him
into the woods. He seemed to be a very
quiet sort of fellow, but all of a sudden
he turned and put a bullet through my
hat, as you see, and dashed away.
could have easily brought him down
but, according to custom, l restrained
my hand. He really ought to be very
thankful to me, but he probably isn't.
He will even raise a row about it to the
first man he meets"
When supper had been prepared and
disposed of and we had lighted fresh
cigars he dug among the leaves and
brought out an old satchel The con
tents consisted of dozen copies of the
paper which had busted him, liberal
supply of print paper for writing on and
half dozen lead pencils. He took some
of the blank paper a | pencil anc
scrubbed away for a few minutes and
then said:
although l am out of the sanctum
the old habit still clings. want you tt
see my style and criticise it. Listen t.
this: Mr., Joseph Gillian, our esteemed
fellow townsman, called at this Office
yesterday to report that while he was OF
the highway between Joplin and NeoshC
last Tuesday he was suddenly confronted
by highwayman armed with shot
gun, who ordered him into the woods tt
be despoiled and probably murdered
Mr.. Gillian, who was taken completely
by surprise, appeared to cheerfully
acquiesce, but just as he entered th'
woods he quickly drew his pistol an(
turned in his saddle and fired point blanl
at the daring robber AS soon as il
pulled the trigger he put spurs to hi
horse, and in the confusion of the mo
ment he made good his escape. The rob