The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-16
HENRY W. GRADY'S WAY
nor OVERCAME DESPERIDO
WITH COURTESY.
The an Called to Shoot Him for an
Imaginary Insult, But Was Dis
armed by Kind Treatment.

respondents who picked up rumors and
sent them in as items of news.
1t was unpleasant to make a retraction,
for when the correspondents undoubtedly
acted in good faith they were always
protected by the paper.
In one instance. however. Mr.. Grady
hardly knew how to act. \ man in
distant part OF the State complained that
he had been misrepresented. lie did not
ask Tor a retraction. but wrote that he
would arrive in Atlanta on the next train
and would shoot the responsible editor
Of the paper.
4 few inquiries i'm the city among this
mans acquaintance brought out the iact
that he had violent temper, sometimes
got drunk. and was just the Kind OF per-
son who could commit murder and then
be acquitted on the ground OF insanity.
Mr.. Grady and his friends felt that the
situation had its serious features but
nobody spoke Of appealing 10 the police.
They DO not conduct business that way
down i'm Georgia.
when would the desperate arrive? This
was the question OF the hour in the Of
flee.
The general opinion was that he would
reach the city about midday, ana IT ne
visited the Office at that hour he would
probably find Mr.. Grady alone on the
editorial floor.
one Of the clerks. who had heard or
the trouble. came upstairs and rendered
his chief a pistol. at the same time beg
gng him not TO be taken unawares by
his enemy.
The Journalist took the weapon. reflect
cd n moment. and then handed 1t back
TO the young man.
81 don't need IT," he said. Good luz
NOR is worth more than yInp)wder i'm
this case This poor fellow who is hunt
ing m, thinks that ne has grievance.
and tho matter should he looked into be-
fore there is any hglting.'
The day wore on and the newspaper
men soon became absorbed I'm their rou-
time duties. and 10y y o'clock they had
drifted out I'm various directions 10 get
their iuucheous.
All except Mr.. Grady. The managing
editor held the fort while his secretary
in ar adjoining room was busily engaged
with some important correspondence.
The clock licked away monotonously
and profound quiet prevailed on the edi-
torial floor.
Suddenly and unannounccd a big fell
low with frownng brow entered the
sanctum
Mr.. Grady" he blurtcd out, Il am
here TO --'
Glad to see you interrupted The 9TH
or. II was thinking OF you 20 moment
ago" and the journalist gave his visitor
a cordial handshake and beamed upon
him with a magnetic smile.
The big fellow was not 10 be captured
I'm this way. His frown deepened and
he assumed a dignhed attitude.
You probably take me for some one
else" he said stiflly. 81 am -"
"You are Colonel Bill Blackstook. OF
COuonvlle." replied Grady in "a CHEEKY
tone. II never saw you but once, and
that was az the State Fair five years
ago. when your mare won everything i'm
sight and LEFT the Atlanta boys with
empty pockets Great Scott Colonel
how YOU did clean ms up that time
What. Were you there?' asked Black
stock
"Was 7 thero?' repeated Grady. 'l
was not only there. but sat mp am night
condoling with "a crowd Of boys who had
made the mistake Of their lives in not
betting on your mare. had TO let some
OF the boys have money enough TO carry
them home. What arc YOU going to
have at the fan races. Colonel
Blackstock looked embarrassed.
well. I'm fact. ! did not know YOU
were there. This fan 1 propose-but. Mr..
Grady. / am here
"Of course you are here" laughed era
dy "and YOU ought 20 have found your
way mp here long ago. But say Old
fellow. just read this letter will you?'
The visitor mechanically took the letter
and read il. IL referred 20 racing
matter Of great interest. and he Temporal
rily forgot everything else and dropping
into a chair began to discuss turf mat
tiers.
Grady led him on and half an hour
soon passed very pleasantly.
But the Colonel suddenly remembered
the object Of his visit. and he changed
his tone.
Mr. Grady" he said In n business-lilSe
way. Il came here this morning 20 see
you--"
Just what YOU ought TO have done
years ago" interrupted Grady, Shaping
him on the back. we could have en-
joyed a royal time together. but We will
make IL up now. DO you know Hank
Davis and Jack Turner"
no. wish / did was the reply. 81
have often heard of them"
We'll we will an dine together" said
Grady. You have come just i'm the nick
of time. ! don't know what We would
have done without you"
Blackstock's face. always red. grew
redder and he exhibited signs Of nervous
ness.
Grady took it all in and his eyes danced
merrily. lie kept up running talk.
full Of jokes and "reminiscences. and the
visitor found himself unable TO turn the
conversation.
Before he knew it he had agreed TO
dine with Grady and his friends At last
he excused himself saying that he had
am appointment at his hotel. but that he
would be on hand AT the hour set for
dinner.
He almost tore himself away and as
he rushed out through the hall the office
boy heard him soliloquizing
"Of all the blank fools I am the blank
est" he said. Here ! am stranded I'm
Atlanta with two pistols and not one
grain Of sense. Henry Grady's got mo
down and before he's done with me |
suppose | will endorse all that his paper
said about me- Such man-such "a
man
The Colonel was better satisfied the
next day. Mr.. Grady treated him like
a prince. explained the Objectionable ar
ticle to him and won his lasting friend
ship.
Blackstock went home without asking
for a retracti0n. and always afterward
was one Of Gradvs warmest admirers -
W. T. Reed. in Chicago Tlmes-Herald.