Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-30

20 order. Tnings began 20 assume their
normal attitude. and the crowd began
to look to Sam for instructions as TO the
proper thing 70 do. He seemed TO IN
derstand the etiquette of these occasions,
and those present felt that they were
ignorant and inexperienced compared
with him.
The body was laid out on a bench in
the room at the back of the saloon,
while the jury and the spectators We're
accommodated with such seats as the
place afforded, Hickory Sam himself
taking an elevated position on the top
of barrel where he could, as it were,
preside over the arrangements It was
vaguely felt by those present that Sam
bore no malice toward the deceased, and
this was put down rather TO his credit.
81 think" said the coroner, looking
hesitatingly up at Sam, with an express
sion which showed he was quite pre-
pared TO withdraw his proposal if it
should prove inappropriate. II think
we might have the lawyer over here.
He knows how these things should be
done, and he's the only man in Salt
Lick that's got a Bible to swear the
jury on l think they ought to be
| sworn
That good idea. >" concurred Sam.
lone of you run across for him and tell
him TO bring the book Nothing like
having those things regular and proper
according TO law"
The lawyer had heard of the catas-
trophe. and he came promptly over TO
the saloon, bringing the book with him
and some papers in his hand. There
was now no doubt about Sans knowl-
| edge Of the proper thing to do, when it
was found that the lawyer quite agreed
with him that an inquest, under the
circumstances, was justifable and ac-
cording TO precedent. The jury found
that the late Mr.. Butler had "died
through misadventure, which phrase,
sarcastically suggested by the lawyer
when he found that the verdict was GO
ing to be accidental death, " pleased
the jury, who at once adopted is.
When the proceedings were so pleas
antly terminated by a verdict acoepta-
bic to all parties. the lawyer cleared his
throat and said that his late client, hay
ing perhaps premonition OF his fate.
had recently made q will, and he had
| GOoAACQ tno lawyer W 4u1ko Tue WAL
pubic as soon as possible after his death.
AS the occasion seemed in every way
suitable the lawyer proposed, with the
permission of the coroner, to read that
portion which Mr.. Butler desired should
receive the widest possible publicity.
Mike glanced with indevision at the
lawyer aud at Sam sitting high above
the crowd on the barrel
Certainly" said Hickory. "We'c
all like Co hear the will, although sup
pose les none OF our business.
The lawyer made no comments on this
remark, but bowling to the assemblage
unfolded a paper and read it,
Mr.. Butler left all his property TO hil
nephew in the east, with the exception
of $50, 600 in greenbacks then deposited
IN the Coyote County bank at Salt Lick
The testator had reason to suspect
that q desperate named Hickory San
(real name or designation unknown,
had designs on the testator's life. In
case these designs were successful th<
whole of this money was 90 go to the
person or persons who succeeded in re-
moving this scoundrel from the face O,
the earth. In case the sheriff arrested
4
and executed the money was to be di.
vided between the sheriff and those who
assisted in the capture. If any man or
his own responsibility shot and killed
the said Hickory Sam the 500, 900 be-
came his sole property and would bs
handed over to him by the bank man
ager. in whom Mr.. Butler expressed ev
cry confidence, as soon as the slayer OF
Hickory Sam proved the deed to the
satisfaction of the manager. In every
case the bank manager had full control
of the disposal of the fund and could
pay it in bulk or divide it among those
who had succeeded in eliminating from
a contentious world one of its most con
tentious members
The amazed silence which followed
the reading of this document was bro
ken by loud jeering and defiant laugh
from the man on the barrel. He laugh.
ed long. but no one joined him, and al
he noticed this his hilarity died down,
becoming in measure forced and me
chanical. The lawyer methodically fold
ed up his papers. AS some of the Jury
glanced down at the face of the deaC
man who had originated this financial
scheme of post mortem vengeance they
almost fancied they saw a maliciou
leer about the half open eyes and lips
An awed,whisper ran around the assem-
blage, each man said to the other under
his breath, Fifty - thou and-dol
lars, " as if the dwelling on each syIla
bic made the total seem larger. TIL,
same thought was in every mans minC
"a clean, cool little fortune merely fol
the crooking of forefinger and the cor
rect leveling of pistol barrel.
The lawyer had silently taken his de
parture. Sam, soberer than he had beer
for many days. slid down from the bar
rel, and with his hand ON the butt o
his gun sidled, his back against til,
wall, toward the door. No one raised
finger to stop him. All sat there watch
ing him as if they were hypnotized. II
was no longer a man in their eyes. bu
the embodiment of a sum to be earned