Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-01-17
raid afterward. when she had become

SAID atterward. when she had become
the storm center OF interest. But
when saw what hold il had got OF
Wiley. and how he was actually bein
scared TO death. / made up nv mind
To- settle that prophet. anyhow. Shucks.
l knew he wasn't any more OF "A
prophet than | was SO took Wiley's
revolver and | went up the canyon. II
was gettin dark. and I hadn't had
much sleep. bein mp with Wiley two
nights. he thinkin he was goin TO die
any minute-sO felt kind o light head
ed. but knew what was goin To do
just the same. When I got 10 the old
mans cabin. he was coo.,in his supper
I'm fryin pan. marched right in. and
says l, Jake PeachanI. IN thank YOU
10 take back that there 50 called
prophecy you give out about my hus-
band
He looked at me perfectly blank
and went on stirrin his bacon or what
ever. Then | pulled my revolver on
him. Lands sakes. | sup SO I'd "A
shot him, at least told him would,
If he didn't speak. | see then he wasn't
so much Of n fool as he pretended. He
was scared and dropped his fork and
backed toward the door. and went
after him. Then somebody says. Here
drop that gun And there was Jim
Pcacham standin in the doorway. and
he had a shotgun.
Drop that gun. or I'll shoot you,
says he. 1 won't. and you don't dare
says l. Then the old man bust out
whimperin and cryin. just like 4 child
There. now. amt You ashamed Of
yourself. comm up here and scarin that
poor Old harmless critter out of what
little wits he's got left says Jim
Peacham.
Harmless nothinr says |. Here
he's scared my husband nigh into the
grave predictin he was goin to die, and
l want him to take il back. that's ALL
and hes got to-
'Shucbsr says Jim Peacham He
don't know what he's talSin about
the idea of payin any heed TO him
pore old critter. If your husbands 5
such n dern fool as that. he'd ought TO
die
Now. look here, Jim Peacham.
says l. There's somethin queer about
all this. and want YOU should tell me
the straight of it. SOS can go home
and tell Wiley he's no need 10 die II
you'll do that. won't shoot YOU much
He laughed AT that and come into
the cabin. He's a little bit OF nervous
fellow. YOU know. and | wasn't a mite
afraid Of him. though he has got bad
eye. The old man sat down on his
bunk and let his bacon burn up. too
scared 10 move.
"'Ill tell YOU says Jim. You see.
uncle's just like a parrot. He repeats
everything he hears. and II talk in
my sleep. Now. dye seeT
You burned up Jerome's barn.
then says /.
I did says he. for he turned me
out OF his saloon. Called me mean
name too
And you wrecked the freight says
None of yer business says he. get
tin u~ly.
Then says /. did YOU talk in your
sleep about my hUSbandT
4 never says he. I ain't been
slecpin here since the freight mean
4 somethin else must a put that in his
head. Now. honest. I've told you the
truth. and l don't want to harm your
husband. and | wish you'd go along
home SOS we en- get our supper And
then s'poSe I'll have to put out. for of
course you'll tell all about this.
"'Of course / shall says |. And
there's people lookin for YOU now
d" 1 know it, says he. but they can't
catch me- Now. adios.'
There's just one more thing | want
4 you 10 do for me- says l. I've got TO
have some proof of this and some.
thing thatll make Wiley sit up. And
! give him the revolver. shoot some
F place where it won't do any harm
/ just enough to make mark. says l.
'Shucks! he says. L amt goin to
do that. Why. they'd comb the noun
tain for me-
No. they won't. I'll tell them just
how ii happened. But I've got TO scare
/ Wiley ont of his bed says l.
"Well, in the end Of il he did-just
nicked my shoulder and aftcrward tied
II up for me real gentle
You're plucky woman says he,
'and ia so down the canyon with you
if l wasn't afraid
well. got down by myself. though
won't say ii was easy. The last /
saw OF the old man he was cryin in his
bunk. ] guess his goose is cooked as
far as prophesyin goes.
"WNey-well. he was up and dressed
about five minutes after l got home,
and he swore he'd Kill all the Peach
ans. root and branch But Ia lost
his revolver up the canyon. and then l
tainted away. and he had TO stay and
look To me. But don't say prophet to
him; he can't stand it.''-New York
Commercial Advertiser.