The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-05-02

| of her own staDle-yard.
Suddenly voice from the bushes shout
What's up?''
Business-that's what" replied the
| Colonel.
"It's time" replied the voice. and its
owner-a bearded six-footer-emerged
| from the bushes and stroked Tipsie's nose
with the freedom of an old acquaintance.
s'We amt had a nip since last night,
and thar amt cracker or a handful of
flour in the shanty. The old gal go back
on yer?'
sslost ev'ry blasted race. 'Twasn't her
fault, bless her, she done her level best.
Evrybody to homer
"You bet" said the man. .sAll ben a
prayin' for yer to turn up with the rocks,
an somethin' with more color than spring
water. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and
the Colonel followed, and the trio sud-
denly found themselves before a small log
hut, in front of which sat three solemn,
disconsolate individuals, who looked ap-
pealingly at the Colonel.
Mac I'll tell yer how twas, fellers,o - said
the Colonel meekly, "while picket the
mare"
The Colonel was absent but a very few
moments, but when he returned each of
the four was attired in pistol and knife,
while Mac was distributing some domi-
noes, made from rather dirty flour bag.
s''Taint so late eZ all that, is it?' in
quired the Colonel.
Better be an hour ahead than miss it
this 'ere night" said one of the four. 81
amt been so thirsty since J. came round
the Horn, in 80, an we run short OF
water. Somebody'n git hurt, if the ain It
any bitters on the old concern-they will,
or my name amt Perkins,"
"Don't count on your chickens fore
they're hatched, Perky" said one of the
party, as he adjusted the domino under
the rim of his hat. ssS'posin' ther' should
be too many fur us?"
"Stiddy, stiddy, Cranks 70 demonstrated
the Colonel. 'Nobody ever gifts along eff
they low 'emselves to be skeered.''
Fact" chimed in the smallest and thin
nest man in the party. ''The Bible says
somethin' mighty hot bout that. l disre-
member dzackly how it goes, but I've
heerd Parson Buzzy, down in Maine,
preach rippin' old sermon many time.
The old man never thort what a comfort
them sermons wuZ goin' to be to road
agent, though. That time we stopped
Slim Mikes stage, am he didn't heV no
more manners than to draw on me, them
sermons wuZ perfect blessin' to me-the
thought of 'em cleared my headas quick as
a cocktail. AM
Il don't want to dispute Logroller's
pious strain," interrupted the Colonel /;
''but ez it's Old Black that's a drivin' to-
day. instead of Slim Mike, an eZ Old Black
oilers makes his time, hedn't we better
vamose ?"
The door of the shanty was hastily
closed and the men filed through the
thicket, until near the road, when they
marched rapidly on in parallel lines with
it. After about half an hour, Perkins,
who was leading, halted, and wiped his
perspiring brow with his shirt-sleeVe.
"Fur enough from home now." 'Taint
no use bein' gentleman eff yer have to
work too hard"
/ "Safe enough, reckon" replied the
Colonel. "We'll do the usual Tll halt
'em, Logroller tend to the driver, Crank
takes the boot, an Mack an Perk takes
right am left. AM know it's tough
but considerin' how everlastin', eternally
hard up we are, l reckon We'll have TO ask
contributions from the ladies, too, if theirs
any aboard-eh, boys?"
Reckon so," replied Logroller, with q
chuclkle that seemed to inspire even his
Va
/ two. sWhat's the use oy women's rights
eff they don't never have chance ov ex-
.ercisin' EN-? Hevin' their purses borrow.
ed 'ud show 'em the hull doctrine in q
bran new light"
They're treaeherous critters, women
is" remarked Crank; 'tsome of 'em
might put knife into feller while he
wuz 'pologizin'."
sEf you're afeard ov 'em." said Perk.
ins, "you kin go back an clear up the
shanty.''
'sReminds me ov what the Bible sez,'
said Logroller; theirs lion on the
trail; I'll be chawed up, sez the lazy ga
loot or words to that effect"
"Come, come, boys interposed the
Colonel; "don't mix religion an bizness
They don't mix no more'n-Hello, thar's
the crack of old Blacks whipi Pick yel
bushes-quick! All jump when whis.
tlel''
Each man secreted himself near the
roadside. The stage came swinging
along handsomely; those inside were
laughing heartily about something, and
Old Black was just giving delicate touch
to the flank of the off leader, when
the Colonel gave a shrill, quick Whis-
tie, and the five men sprang into the
road.
The horses stopped as suddenly as If il
were a matter of common occurrence
Old Black dropped the reins, crossed his
legs and stared into the sky, and the pass
engers all put out their heads with a ra-
pidity equa1ed only by that with which
they Withdrew them as they saw the
dominoes and revolyers of the road
agents.
"Seems to be something the matter
gentlemen said the Colonel, blandly, as
he opened the door. "Won't you please
get out? Don't trouble yourself to draw
seos my friend here's got his weapon
cooked, an his finger is rather nervous
Amt got handkerchief, hev yer?" ask
ed he of the first passenger who descend
ed from the stage. Hey? Well, now
THAT'S lucky. Just put yer hands behind
you, please-so-that's it, And the ua
fortunate man was securely bound in ar
instant.
The remaining passengers were treated
with similar courtesy. and the Colonel anC