The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1900-03-06
HAD THE DROP ON HIM.
An Exciting Episode In the Office Of a
Richmond Hotel

men down In Richmond, va, recent
~" said Parker Foster, a commercial
traveller of Boston, "as the most exact
ing lover of stirring incidents could
wish.
''In one Of the large hotels the walls
of the office are hung with pictures in
oil Of battle scenes from the view of
the men who wore the gray uniform.
One subject, that of a portion Of Lees
army marching out of Richmond to
engage the federals, is especially ef
fective, and must appeal strongly to
the veterans who followed this great
general in his battles.
cone evening, just after dinner, as
! was quietly smoking in the office, |
observed two men examine the paint
ings with more than usual interest,
and pause before the subject in ques-
ton. The elder Of the two was one
ofthese men who do not look their age
by 20 years; tall. rugged, powerful
man, who appeared to be, and, who l
subsequently ascertained, was a west
ern man, miner from Colorado. The
other, the younger man, might have
been his son or younger brother.
"The big man appeared to be ex-
planning some interesting object in
the painting and was pointing 10 it
with his right hand appraised.
"At that moment young man of
about 80, Of typical southern appear
ance, passed the two. Atsome remark
of the westerner the young southerner
stopped short, turned white with an
ger, and, bringing his left hand sharp
ly up, struck the other a singing
blow in the face, at the same time
dropping his right hand beneath the
long tails of his frock coat.
at was so sudden that it took my
breath away, but quicker than the eye
could follow the movement, the big
fellows arm had swiveled around
with his body, and in his hand was a
huge Colts frontier six-shooter star
ing his opponent straight in the eyes,
looking, no doubt, at such close range,
Che size Of gatling gun. The Lord
only knows where the pistol came
from. 1t was the quickest draw q
man ever saw.
"The two men, with blood and
death written in every line of their
features, glared into each others
eyes. The hand Of the younger fell
slowly to his side. The drop Of the
other man was complete.
"Y Dung man, SAID the miner, in
tones which had no gainsaying, apollo
gize and explain afterward, or, as GER D..
tain as fought that army in gray for
two years, will l blow the top Of your !
head off. Ifyou are a gentleman and
have wronged me, an apology will be
q chlvalrous pleasure. III l have
you or yourTn turn I will
readily apologize tqC5ou. But make
for tbA impulsive blow
and make it qui%
"The room, %as as silent as death |
Then the yeAng fellow answered:
Gas I Jassed you l understood a
remark III yours to be a reflection /
upon yhe uniform my father wore.
car, However, see how l may have mis-
the true meaning, in my |
passionate haste, and apologize as a
gentleman ought, if he be in the
wrong
Aud I as quickly apologize 10
you for uttering a remark respecting
the yalor Of the men in gray, which
may have two constructions. But you
were in error. You misunderstood a
few words and jumped to wrong con-
clusion.'
ne uuBt lIuulltI ColJ uIsdp-
peared as quickly as it appeared, and
extending his hand, with a good-na-
tured smile spreading over his bronzed
face, he grasped the young mans
hand and shook it cordially.
"After a few more words the Colo
RADIO veteran introduced his compan-
ion to his former opponent, and with
every indication Of good fellowship
they pushed their way through the
swinging half doors which led to the
room where good cheer was to be had.
81 afterward ascertained that the
Colorado man had been one Of the
staff Of the general commanding the
brigade to which, as it curiously hap
pened, the regiment the young mans
father was colonel, bad surrendered
with Lee at Appomattox, and that the
big westerner recalled his name, and
had made one Of those many like ac-
between former foes
which spring up between the opposing
,offioorc op1 man