Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... more about the life at gatesville L bout this time an amusing incident occurred which served to relieve the tension and tedium of our edi torial life. At three o'clock one bitter cold morning, in the winter of 1883, there was a knock at my door. The night was as crisp and clear as it had been on December 8, 1878, when John Stull was killed. The air had the same tang and tingle in it. We were always prepared for the mob. Living with me at that time were two printers--W. D. Shaw and Tom Kinsey. These boys were as brave as lions, and as true as steel. Every night when we retired, each one of us left his revolver out on a little table in easy reach of his right hand, so that we would be ready for any emergency that might arise. On this crisp winter morning, when the knock was heard at my door, all of us were up in a second, because we were sure the mob had come. My wife, just as brave as any woman ever was, jumped out of bed as I did. I told her to get behind the door, turn the bolt, and open it three or four inches so that I might look out and see who it was. Meanwhile I cocked my pistol and the other boys cocked theirs, taking strategic positions by my side. The early morning visitor evidently heard the clicks of the guns. He was quick to yell out: "Doc, don't you know who this is? It is Layton McDonald I" I knew the voice and at once said: "Layton, what on earth are you doing here at this hour of the night?" He responded: "I have stolen John Pancake's girl and have come to your house to get married." The door was opened and the young couple, warm with love, but almost frozen otherwise, were ushered into the front room. All of us dressed as quickly as possible, struck up a fire, I went by the home of Dr. R. J. Perry, my dear old doctor...
