The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-29
MY FIRST OBITUARY.

an old time gambler and we'll known ter.
ror'' named Jack Brown. Brown and his
wife gave a farewell reception to thei1
friends, an occasion still green in the
memory of the sporting fraternity as being
the widest carouse in the history of the
burg, and this is touching tribute to the
heighth, breadth and depth of the occa-
sion. They then removed themselves tc
another town in the same state, much tc
the regret of the police magistrate, whose
income depended upon the fees in criminal
cases. The law and order element of the
community breathed easier, however.
Mrs. Brown did not take kindly to mar
ried life, and after few weeks of overin-
diligence in stimulants she assembled the
golden stairs via the morphine route.
Knowing that this item of news would
be eagerly read by my subscribers, wrote
a biography of the lady, referring to hel
as member of that circle of society which
finds it's mentor in the police justice. I
was rather proud of the effort, and secured
a copy of the paper as soon as it came from
the press and viewed the alliterative head
line and well rounded phrases with fond
and self congratulatory admiration. After
the paper was distributed about town 7
took walk down street. AS passed the
Blue Front palace of refreshment 1 ran
across Mike Kelsey, Jack Browns old
partner in crime. He had a copy of the
paper in his hand, and looked at me with
rather quizzical expression in his eyes,
remarking:
$50 you're goin away are you?''
Rather surprised, said that had not
heard of it as yet.
81 thought you were when read this, ~
he said, pointing to my obituary effort.
"Why?" said rather anxiously.
"Oh, nothin,'' said Mike.
passed on to the office, too proud to
ask an explanation, but just a little bit
uneasy. There was but one door to my
office, and my desk was across a far cor
ner of the room, so that when was at
work my back was to the corner and my
face toward the door.
In the wisdom of fate there was to be
no delay in my first lesson in practical
journalism. AS luck would have it, the
train from the west came in about that
hour, and as 1t slowed up Jack Brown
stepped off the cars, as big and as proud of
his killing record as ever. Some kind
friend was at the depot and showed him
my literary gem. He read it with close
attention, muttered few words not trans
latable and started for my office.
was sitting at my desk writing q let
ter to friend back east, telling him how
we'll was getting along and how easy it
was for a man with fair intelligence to
hold his own in the west, when suddenly
l heard the door open, and l looked up. I
saw in front of me man about feet tall,
broad shouldered and muscular. His face
was type that furnishes deputies for the
sheriffs' offices in the west and recruits for
the desperate gangS-square jaw, well de-
veloped nose regular features and droop-
ing mustache. There was nothing in this
SO far to awaken any emotion in my breast
but when I realized that it was Jack
Brown; that he held in his right hand
big As colts six shooter, and that the tears
were streaming down his cheeks, my heart
stood still. It has been my experience
that one should get out of the way as
promptly as possible of any determined
man with six shooter in his hand, but If,
in addition, he is ''crying mad' say your
prayers, for the outlook for your safety is
more than gloomy.
Jack advanced toward my desk, copy
of the paper in his left hand, his gun in
his right, covering me as I sat behind my
desk, pale and motionless.
ffDid you write this?' he demanded.
knew what he had reference to without
further plans or specifications. 1t was my
literary gem. made an effort at sickly
smile, intended to be conciliatory, and aft
er swallowing two or three big Jumps in
my throat managed to say:
"Well, I-I-work on tho paper, you
know and the paper is responsible for what
is published in it."
None of your - pa1averr' said Jack.
goin to kill the man that did, And he
raised the muZzle of his gun toward me.
I was thinking. 1 thought SO hard that
my head ached for hours afterward. I
finally decided that had but one chance
for life and 1 said:
"You know Ed Smith owns this paper,
and he stands good for everything pub
lished.''
"Where is hep demanded Jack. "Td
ruther kill him anyhow, COS he's always
claimed to be my friend, and this SHOWS
he's a LIAR
With a realization in my soul that the
crisis had passed, rose from my chair
and said:
"He's at home. You know where his
house is?''
YES said Jack, ct know where his
house is, and that is where I'm goin now,
and I'll kill him in his own door in sight
of his wife. He insulted mine after she
was dead, and no man will do thing like
that when a woman's dead, it's no matter
if she did do wrong. She's entitled to be
let alone, and I'll see that she isl And
he was gone like a flash out of the door.
1 Immediately ran up the street in the
opposite direction, intent upon carrying
out my hastily conceived plan. rushed
into store the owner of which was an
influential business man and we'll &C.
quainted with everybody. I explained the
situation and told him to go around the
block in the opposite direction, meet Jack
Brown and detain him while I warned Ed
Smith. He realized the situation, as he
knew the man, and did as told him. I
ran up to Smiths house and told him
what was the matter. Fortunately his
horse and buggy were hitched in front of
the door. He lost no time, but got in and
drove furiously out of town. I started
back to the Office feeling fairly easy in
mind. In the distance 1 saw my friend
the merchant and my would be slayer
walking rapidly up and down the back
streets arm in arm. Jacks gun was in its
holster, and knew the danger was over