The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-01-03
AN EDITORIAL Il
FiIGIWAYMAN

| Kansas in pioneer days on horseback ]
was held up one afternoon by man
with gun, who not only went through
me IN frst class shape, but insisted
that follow him into the woods where
| he had his retreat He seemed of Zero.
clous disposition at first ard believed
| he intended TO murder me, but in a
little time he tlllwed our, and | began
4 to see that he was not such q bad 'iel-
low after all.
When supper had been prepared and
7 disposed of he dug among the leaves
and brought out an old satchel. The
contents consisted Of dozen copies of
) the paper which had busted him, lib
| eral supply or print paper for writing
on and half dozen lead pencils. He
took some of the blank paper and a
pencil and scrubbed away for a few
minutes and then said:
Although | am out Of the sanctum
1 the old habit stll clings want you
| to see my style and oriticise it. Listen
| TO this: Mr.. Joseph Gillian, our esteem-
ed fellow townsfnan, called at this of
| fee yesterday TO report that while he
was on the highway between Joplin
| and Neosha last Tuesday he was sud
| denly confronted by a highwayman
| armed with a shotgun, who ordered
him into the woods to be despoiled and
probably murdered Mr. Gillian, who
was taken completely by surprise, APP
peared 10 cheerfully acquiesce, but just
as he entered the woods he quickly
drew his pistol and turned in his saddle
and fred point blank at the daring
burglar. As soon as he pulled the trig-
ger he put spurs TO his horse and in
the confusion of the moment made good
his escape. The robher fred two
charges Of buckshot at hmE
What do you think Of that?" asked
the editor as he finished reading
ITS very fair"
But not up and up. It's too heavy
too Shakespearean Our eminent fell
low townsman, AFR Gillian, would buy
five extra copies of the paper 10 send
away TO his relatives, but the article
would not produce widespread interest
That was my failing nothing wide
spread about my writings. I'd like to
see your style. Just dash off some
thing based on the same faets'
wrote side header" about half
the length of his. and when he had
read il he said
THAT knocks all my plans in the
head. was going to offer you part
nership in this business, thinking You.
too, were also too Shakespearean In
style for this section, but find I'm
mistaken It's an elegant little article
mot a word too little or 100 much"
The man had such a queer streak
about him tbatsl couldn't make up my
mind whether he was robber, as he
claimed, or had gone daft over his
troubles and was wandering about as
crazy people often do. There was no
cause to fear him, however. ana we sat
and smoked till a late hour and had a
good visit. When morning came and
we had disposed of breakfast, he urged
me to accept 500 as present. and
when ! firmly refused he wanted me
to take a gold watch. In those days. 4
tramp printer with 81 ahead Of the
game was Il millionaire. My refusal
seemed TO hurt his feelings. but he
shook hands heartily on parting and
wished me all SORTS Of good Ilok. in
due time | reached NcOsho, went from
there 10 Fayetteville. Ozark and
GAINESVILLE and about the middle OF
December brought up at Van Buren,.
One day | was sent over TO Fort Smith
to interview a man who was TO be
hanged ten days later. When admitted
to The presence of the condemned |
was almost paralyzed TO discover in
him the whlom editor of the Echo His
surprise was likewise great. but as
soon as lie had rallied "A little his face
fairly beamed With smiles Us he said:
What n godsend! Why my dear
boy, Ia rather see you than any other
man on earth. Ii wasn't an hour ago
that / was saying III give day of
the few left me 10 see you. You have
come 10 interview met'
And what has happenedT' | asked.
Gun accidentally went or and Killed
a man. Pure accident. but couldn't /
make EN- believe 1t. | am 10 be hung
On the 10Th. TOO bad. OF course, but 1
It's too late for lamentation. You've |
been sent over today 10 get prelim.
mary how the condemned looks and
feels-no hope of reprieve- going TO
lie gallows like brave man. and 50
'orth and SO onf"
That's it,"
"All right You can do yourself
proud on that Make about a column
md pa; Oh three scare heads. all full
ace caps And now about the other
he actual event. There won't be much
o it. Don't try pad in ii. You can't
make over half column Of loaded
ninion without padding The salis at
eatures will he: Reading the death
warrant, GOODNESS Of the condemned.
march TO the scaffold. ringing down the
See! Don't attempt anything
Make II all meat" /.
IN do MY best"
I'm sure you will. And one thing
nore. You are the only living man
Who knows ] used 10 hll an editorial
hair or tried TO. | thiuk you had bet
or no silent an that .otuf Va, .x,,iI T :