His Last Wishes.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1914, Page 2

His Last Wishes.

Two cowboys once met on a Texas plain and rode along together. They

were strangers to each other, and their notions as to the merits of right and wrong were about as loose as possible. Suddenly one of the "'boys" made a suspicious movement towards his hip-pocket. Instantly the other drew his revolver and shot him dead. The live then dismounted, gazed .steadily at his victim, and said to himself : "Now, I wonder if he was really going to shoot me ? The evidence was against him, but anyway I'll see for myself." Turning the body over, he discovered that the only murderous weapon the dead man bore was a whisky flask, and then in sorrowful tones he said :— "Such a blessed idiot I am ! Iv'e killed an innocent man and a perfect gentleman. He wasn't going to shoot me ;he merely intended to invite me to have a drink." And, as he drew his sleeve across his mouth, he continued :— "The last wishes of diseased shall be duly respected." Then he emptied the flask and went on his way.