Year: 1876

In many cases this aggressive action
aroused equally combative qualities in
the editor, and it not infrequently hap
pened that one or the other was killed.
These circumstances gradually developed
the so-called lighting editor, picturesque
and powerful character peculiar to Amer
lean journalism. To him were referred
all questions Of dispute involving personal
argument. He WAS the chivalrous, open
hearted, and brave representative of a
class now nearly extinct, whose character
has suffered only from the reckless sxag-
geration of local historians, themselves
luxuriant products Of the same soil.


Col. Featherstock was scarcely twenty
one when he entered the Office of the
Eagleville Ift- Weekly I0mahdwk and
( Mirror, and he had been there scarcely
three weeks when the summary and sci
entic manner in which he elected pow
ertul backwoodsman, who had ventured
to demonstrate against u savage personal
reference to himself, determined the chief
10 appoint Featherstock TO the arduous
and responsible position offghting editor,
post which he held for seven years with
honor to himself and credit TO his paper.
lie was good shot, and similar in his
suddenness TO lightning. 1t is said that
during his stay in the Tomahdvk office
he killed nineteen men. In fact, the
number of those who blundered in their
dealings with him was SO great that it
became current humorous saying in
the region that Feathestock kept grave
yard Of his own.


There lived in neighboring county a
gigantic and bloudlhrsty ruffian, who had
often heard of the renowned lighting edi-
tor Of the 1'omahawk, and having held
his own and sometimes more, with every
body he had ever met, he resolved to 70
to Eagleville and clean out the Colonel.
When he appeared in the TomahaWk off
Ice ho might, but for his great size and
ferocioLs aspect, have been taken for the
drummer of fire arms establishment.
All his pockets were full OF assorted weap-
ons, and his belt looked like fence with
pistol pickets. He stalked in with an air
of brutal insolence, and said to the Colo
mel


"Are you the Tomdhdwk's fighting
editor ?"


The Colonel modsstly allowed that he
was. | understand you keep select
burying ground Of your own"


Yes" said the Colonel, 81 must ad-
nit that | do find it necessary to keep
private cemet1ry."


The ruitian reached down in his right
hand outside coat pocket, and lifted out
MI immense, old fashioned revolver that
bore a striking resemblance to Il young
Gatling gun. lie staggered up to the
Colonel, and banged the muzzle of the
pistol down 50 savagely that it made IL
deep dent in the desk.


Well, I've come, by Cd, to be bur-
led in that graveyard ~


For the first land LAST time in his life
the Colonel weakened. Life seemed so
sweet just at that moment-s senti-
ment iostered, doubtless, by the knowl-
edge that he was standing face to face
with man who was fully determined to
kill him. But if for an instant his cour-
age wavered, his susvity never forsook
him, and he looked up with a smile:


/ am tight sorry, my friend, that /
can't accommodate you, but my grave
yard is full. There really isn't room for
another one"


~ was afraid you couldn't find room
IN it for me- said the stranger and he
wrapped his words in snser that made
the Colonel think that life wasn't worth
Il cent. If the stranger had answered the
Colonel with pleasant words, he might
have retired on great victory, but that
sneer changed the whole programme.
The Colonel reached under his desk to
the pistol shelf, and broughtout weapon
hat looked like the elder brother of the
strangers shooting iron. The expression
Of his face was changed, but hs went on
talking in the same, cheerful, measured
way, just as though without interruption
he was adding to his previous remark.


But though that one is now closed,
full, / have just opened new cemetery,
and my sexton has dug q sample grave
that should think" there he ran his eye
deliberately along the stranger from his
feet 10 his eyes, and fixed them therel
&c. think it woud fit you"


The strangers grip on himself was gone.
The change had been to sudden for him.
or all the crowd that the alteration had
drawn into the room, the Colonel was the
first TO realize the change, and most sc-
cnrate in his estimate Of its extent. lie
proceeded pleasantly and deliberately:


"Now, may have conveyed to you
when you first came in that this is not
one of my regular slaughtsring days, but
at the same time If you insist"


The Colonel tugged ut the hammer of
his pistol, but the lock was rusty. Prob
ably that rust saved the strangers life
he didn't insist, but turned and started
off and before the Colonel could get his
pistol to full cock the stranger WAS on
the other side OF the door, walking away,


4 4 IL 4 Isl. 4