Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1894-03-21
sAM AoUsroN,s paAcTIcAL Jokg. G
He Stopped Just In Time to Save His own
 Iife


 Life.
 IL was some time in the forties, not long after Sam Houston had come to the senate. The great Texan was at tended by faithful black from vir. ginia, bearing the distinguished name 1 of Richard Henry Lee. Richard proved himself a good body servant m all things save one.
 He attended faithfully on every want of his eccentric master, who was keeping bachelors quarters. But no argument was sufficiently persua- dive to induce Richard Henry Lee to keep the rooms in order. A general air of slothful neglect marked the surroundings of their domestic estab- lishment, and time and again Hous- ton threatened to have Richard fiayed ard his black hidehung over the back ysrd fence as a frightful example to all evildoers.
 Things ran on in this way until one day Houston returned to his rooms from the senate and found the condi. .icn of affairs at home 50 had that he determined then and there to teach hhs flunky good lesson He delib- eritely locked the door, and without saying a word crossed over to table where he kept his pistol case, re- moved two pistols, loaded them, handed one to Richard and took the other himself.
 Now, Richard Lee, he began in low voice that foreboded III, you stand in that corner while l take my position in this, opposite you. face to face. man to man, pistols in hand. You have betrayed my confidence and trampled upon my feelings until ! patience has ceased to be virtue. I | have reasoned and pleaded with you l to maintain my roomsin that state of | cleanliness to which, as q free born 1 Texan. l am accustomed, and you have basely ignored my wishes in | the premises and have gone ca in your slothful. shiftless ways without regard either to my feelings or my | comfort.
 Now, you internal scamp, have made up my mind to kill you could do 50 without giving you a show for your life, but absolute fairness shall distinguish the method of your talk ing of. Get into your place, and when l drop this red bandannA hand kerchief shootl If you klll me, so be it. forgive you now. If II kill you. 1t won't make any difference anyhow. You are good for nothing, and your removal will be blessing to society. Remember, however, that no man ever faced me with a pistol in his hand and lived to tell it.
 With ashen face Richard Henry, who. despite his negligence, loved his master most devotedly, took his stand in the corner assigned him and me- followed Houston's mo ions, The Texan took a handker- chief out of his pocket, which he held aloft as a signal. and then raised his pistol with the other hand to level with his lackey's heart.
 As he did so an involuntary smile iitted across his face, and instantly Richard dropped his pistol, while his face spread out into huge smile.
 T say. Mars Sam, he shouted in transport of rejoicing, 'I thought 70 raly meant it, but yo' just polin iun at me. Goramity," he added, with sigh of relief, fit makes me 'hiver to think how near yo' was to ieath. Dat smile was all dat saved , 70 life" Houston told the story us a good s oke on himself, assuring his hearers ! hat he was positive Richard would $ lave killed him if he had carried the ! oke a hairbreadth further.-Wash- ngton Post. s