"How glad I am, mister, to hear that," he said. "I've been shaking in my
boots all this yer time thinkin' ye was that land pirate an' meant to
murder me, 'cause they say he's even an uglier cuss than me. Shake
hands, mister. I declar ye've taken a mighty big load off'n my mind."
I shook hands with the delighted fellow, but lacked the nerve to tell
him how badly scared I had been.
But I'm not so proud of my honest looks nowadays.
Whenever I hear a good story in connection with some person of note, I
always enjoy it more if I happen to know the party.
They told me about Richard Harding Davis the other night at the club,
which amused me not a little.
Ever hear of his adventures with the bull?
Well, it runs something like this, and those who happen to be honored
with a personal acquaintance with the famous young American author will
appreciate its point best.
[Illustration]
He was taking a stroll one day, and lost in meditation, so the story
runs, rather incautiously started to cross a meadow where a ferocious
bull was pastured.
The gentleman did not see the bull until he charged, and then like a
true soldier of fortune he dropped his dignity and made headlong for the
nearest fence.
This he reached in good time, but the bull had the satisfaction of
assisting him over.
Though no great damage was done, Mr. Davis' feelings were deeply
injured.
Just then, as luck would have it, the owner of the bellowing bovine came
running up.
He was angry because Mr. Davis had been trespassing on his property, and
Mr. Davis was mad clean through because he was not in the habit of being
assisted over fences in that style.
"I'll have you arrested for trespass, sir," exclaimed the farmer, in a
rage.
"And I'll have you summoned for keeping dangerous animals at large,"
cried Mr. Davis.
"You had no business on my land, sir."
"Ah! perhaps you don't know me; I'm Richard Harding Davis, sir!"
striking his well-known attitude, and tapping his manly breast
significantly.
"Oh," said the farmer, duly impressed, "but Mr. Davis, why didn't you
tell that to the bull?"