The Elbert County tribune., 1904-01-14

Burritt. that You carry it about your
person?"
The other nodded Look herei"
he said. I've lived rough sort of life
in a wild part of the world. for the last
twenty years. I've seen men shot
down by my side, in a refreshment
saloon. more than once. and more
than once had narrow escape from
similar fate myself. In fact"-slnk-
ing his volce-"I don't mind owning
to you that on one occasion | have
killed my MANN self-defense mind"
he added. hastily. seeing the ook of
horror which. for a moment. over
spread his friends face. In self
defense" he repeated. with emphasis.
and with the odds three to one.
Where should have been then but
for my revolver? As It was. cleared
the world of at least one runian."
And no one-I mean"
No one thought any the worse of
me. | assure you. Indeed. with a
faint smile. the first Mr.. Burritt had
seen upon his face. lurking for a mo-
ment round the corners of his mouth
II even had testimonial presented
to me by some of the leading citizens
of the place. thanking me for ridding
them of such a pestilent character as
Black Jake which was the name the
villain went by"
Mr.. Burritt heard him throughout
with astonishment, mingled with a
faint sensation of horror. II seemed
hard to credit that the calm. middle
aged, well dressed man before him
his own contemporary-ha passed
through such an experience as this;
and that the hand which he had shak-
en- with so much cordiality had blood
upon it,
Thank God," he cried. that we
have nothing of this sort in England.
There is no shooting people down in
refreshment saloons in this country"
Perhaps not" was the caustic re-
ply; but, for all that, 1t struck me.
on looking at the paper this morning,
that you had got your own share of
most of the crimes going-and plenty
of Black Jakes,' or their equivalents.
too"
Very likely" said Mr.. Burritt.
with eyes still fixed on the revolver.
"By-the-way, would you mind telling
me-is that the same weapon that you
used on that occasion you were speak
ing of mean when you shot the
other-er--individual
Meaning Black Jake? Yes, I'm
happy to say II is the very same
Mr. Burritt felt that he somehow re-
garded the article in question with
less favor than ever.
Il suppose there isn't the least like
lihood of its going off unexpectedly" ?"
he inquired, difidently.
Not unless | pull the trigger" was
the careless response. "and Pm not
likely TO do that. unless you attack
me first
The jolSe-if joke 1t were-struck
Mr.. Burritt as being In singular bad
taste.
81 must say" he repeated. with a
little perceptible irritation in his man
ner. that, in this instance, | don't see
the necessity for
Very likely, you don't" interrupt
ed the other, resuming his coat: but
II you had been in the habit of carry
ing 1t about your person for as many
years as | have. and always been ac-
customed to sleep with II under your
pillow. you would think no more of
carrying revolver than you would
an umbrella or a watch
This remark served to remind Mr..
Burritt of his original errand. He
therefore explained the reason of his
intrusion, and having been accom-
modated by the loan of the desired ar
ticle, turned to leave the room again.
He hesitated for moment on tie
threshold and cast another glance
over his shoulder at his friend, who
was doing something to the cherished
weapon with bit of oily rag. The
latter looked up and met it.
You don't really mean, Silas. that
you are afraid to trust yourself in my
company now that you know | carry a
revolver" he asked. with another sud
den frown. you don't surely-?"
ITO be continued)