The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-14
AN INVOLUNTARY HERO.

times L WOuiu resist the tyranny VI
some Juvenile bully, I was generally
whipped to a finish. My nature seemed
a double one. My spirit was willing,
yet my flesh was weak.
AS l grew older l Stunned disputes.
Indeed 1 thought myself something OF
a coward, and perhaps might have re-
manned under that impression had it
not been for the following experience
during my brief career as an insurance
agent some ten years ago in the rough
little town of Big Timber, Mont.
One evening, Van Sizden, a rival
agent with whom I was on friendly
with an excited air, asked: Wesley
(My name is Wesley Boggs), have you
any insurance on John Muldoon' =
house?'
YES" I replied, after examining my
register; "$1 800 for three years at two
and half, premium $3.50; policy fee
81; total $3.50. The policy is in the
name of Margaret Muldoon, Johns
wife. Is there anything wrong about
it?"
MY advice is to cancel at once.'
"Why?"
Its going to burn, sure"
What makes you think SOP"
I'll tell you, but you mustn't breathe
a word to any one"
'Of course not, Van: you know me
too well for that, hope
Il do know you. Wesley, and so I
come to you, frank and free, as one
friend should to another"
iao
shook with emotion, you are good
fellow and true as steel I appreciate
your confidence. Now tell me your
grounds orssuspicion.''
amy one in the next room?"
mot a SOUL.
''Well, you know Week Lung who
runs the laundry
Yes"
81 was just going to the washhouse
a few minutes ago when I heard Null
doom inside talking to him. He said
Week, go down to the house tonight
and start a fire in the woodshed and
I'll give we hundred dollars, and
here's twinty on account.
"'All light" answered Week. "Then
I shipped, and as I thought you had
Don't say a word to any one. but GO
down and cancel. I would not have
Muldoon know 1 heard him for any
thing, for they say he's a terrible man
when he gets fighting drunk.
"Oh! is hep I said.
Eyes, he's a desperate fellow"
Maybe he'll get after me-"
81 didn't think of that" said Van;
"but you're a pretty good fighter your
self. amt you? Quiet men generally
are"
"Oh, I'm not so much" I answered
carelessly, but I'll cancel that policy
though 1 hate to on account of Mrs.
Muldoon. She's a fine woman and a
handsome one. and it's shame she's
tied to that drunkard.'
That's so, but don't lose any time
about it unless you want to pay loss y
''All right I replied, and Van took
his departure.
1t was then about 8 o'clock and a
bitterly cold night; 20 below zero, with
a north wind blowing, but I put on my
buffalo coat, plunged through the deep
snow, and arrived half frozen at the
Muldoon place, which was a long mile
from town. Like many others of her
sex, Mrs. Muldoon was far superior TO
her husband. She was born in this
country, but was a lineal descendant
of the famous Caseys of Tipperary, and
inherited the family popularity OF
black hair and blue eyes. She was a
lovely woman and her marriage to Null
doom can only be accounted for by the
fact that he was at that time a sober,
Industrious young Irishman, although
greatly her inferior in looks and educa-
ton However, I was too anxious to
cancel to speculate about the unequal
match and SO I raped in hesitating
way, and the door was opened. by Mrs.
Muldoon, who expressed no surprise az
seeing me, but beamed a welcome, and
said, cordially:
"Come right in, Mr.. Boggs; let me
help you with your overcoat: take
seat by the fire; may 1 offer you some
thing to drink to take off the chill;
what cold weather we are having; is
your wife we'll, and how are the chill
dren?"
THANK you: yes, it's cold; they are
all we'll; is Mr. Muldoon at homer"
mo. he hasn't returned from town.
but l expect him every minute
Mrs Muldoon," 1 said hastily, 81
may as we'll tell you I have come to
cancel your insurance"
Are you going out of business?" she
asked.
mo, but the company wants to drop
all risks outside of town, and have to
follow instructions"
VERY WELL" she replied; do I get
anything back?"
Certainly
She went to a little desk took out
the policy, and handed it to me, &C
copied the return premium; gave me
receipt, and then said, with a smile:
Mr.. Van Sizden called this afternoon
and gave me policy for 81 800 in his
company. He said you were going to
cancel"
"Oh. did he?" was all could say.
Yes she replied, and the smile
deepened
well, good evening"
Good evening, MIR. Boggs; call
again" and I tramped homeward, ours
ing nv false friend and mortified at
my own verdancy.
Inc next AFTERNOON dS was SiI'i'9
at the desk in my office. finishing my
last letter before going home, the door
was flung violently open and Muldoon
lurched in and leveled revolver at my
head. I was paralyzed with fear and
felt the bitterness of death. Never be-
fore had life seemed so dear and yet SO
hopeless. His gun was at full cock,
his little bloodshot eyes glared wildly,
and every moment I expected bullet
would come my way. Strangely enough,
instead of thinking of my mis-