A fellow by the name of Stilson came in to Hogan's place one night and became smitten by the charms of one of the young women. He was bent upon thrusting his society on this girl, who was equally determined not to have anything to do with him. Stilson became angry, and began to use abusive language. Ben, who always kept an eye open as to what was going on in the establishment, stepped up to the fellow and told him that he must stop his noise or clear out. Stilson sullenly withdrew; but in a dark alleyway which led along the side of the building, he ran across the girl whom he had been importuning for favors. Finding her alone, he openly insulted her, and her cries brought Ben to the spot. Stilson drew a revolver, and holding it toward Ben threatened to shoot. It was so dark that the men could not see each other; but Ben could feel the muzzle of the pistol against his coat. While Stilson was still threatening to shoot, Ben pushed the barrel of the revolver to one side, so that the ball would pass harmlessly by. Meantime, he drew his own weapon, which Stilson did not know he carried. Ben was particularly anxious to give this fellow a dose of cold lead, but he wanted him to fire the first shot. So he dared him to shoot, calling him all manner of names, and blackguarding him roundly. Had Stilson pulled the trigger of his pistol, as I have explained, the ball would have passed harmlessly by Ben's side, while our hero would have done more effectual work. But Stilson was not the sort of a man to shoot, although he talked loudly enough. It was well for him that he finally put up his pistol, for if he had discharged it, it would certainly have cost him his life. Once, during his three years' residence in Parker's, Ben attended church. The newspapers in the country about came out the next day and declared it was a pity the steeple had not fallen and crushed Hogan to death. Finding so little encouragement in his attempt to follow the paths of piety, Ben gave it up as a bad job, and never troubled a church again. But if he did not sit in a pew on Sundays, our hero did some good deeds which would have honored any Christian. For example, a girl came to him on one occasion in sore distress. She had gone astray; had lived a short, wild life of sin and pleasure, and was now reaping the terrible harvest of her wayward career. Forsaken by friends, with no home to go to, she had come to Ben as a last refuge. She was then pregnant and suffering from a loathsome disease. Her cup of wretchedness seemed greater than she could bear, and like many another poor unfortunate, she had resolved to end her misery by taking her own life. She had gone so far, even, as to procure the poison, which she fully intended to take.