The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-09-18

we miSht nave social game, jest to pass
away the time"
The passenger merely shook his head.
"Ain't got no keerds, eh? Well, hev
alters travel with 'em," and the persuasive
stranger drew out pack of cards from his
pocket and shuffled them with a dexterity
that gave evident proof of long practice
"Won't you take handles for fun, if
5ou hev any objection ag'in' riskin' money
on keerds?''
''Thank you never play" replied the
passenger.
AHA, !" cried the stranger, bringing the
cards together with a loud slap; IL reckon
ed that you were my man. Hoo are ye.
Judgc?'
Quick as thought the Judge-for it was
Judge Durell in person-drew a revolver
from under his cloak and leveied it at the
head of the stranger.
'IIold on, Judge" cried the stranger.
"What in thunder air you arterY'
"You are one of these rufiians who are
talking about hanging me to the first tree y
cried the Judge, trembling with great ex-
element.
No sich thing" replied the stranger
"I'm gentleman, | am. and sport; I'm
that sharp Smith, as the boys in Austen
call me. | follow the festive poker and the
frolic~ome faro fur livin'. Now. je~.
put up your shooting irons; WHY, I'm
right hyer to help you out of this little
difficulty"
81 don't understand said tie Jud5 e,
dubiou>ly.
''Lct me corral tle facts and spread 'eIh
out for you. was to meet pard of mine
a, MIrphy's tonight. for to talk over a lee
tie plan TO WOOL some of these sl.arps dow.
to Spar City. Ii was hot this afternoon.
you know, and [ lay out under some pine
just above MLrphy'S r.;uc.le. amusing my
elt like gentleman with handl.n' the 'pr-
pes when ten or fifteen fellows rode by,
all strangers to nc, but from Spur City and
tharabout; as | jelgcd from their talk anu
tie ldnS and short of it is that they know
ihat your comm up in this hyar coach,
a!d they're goin' to lay in wait for you
SDnewhar around Silver Cre.k. jest as
!ieer'd this air leetle game, kinder reckoni
ell I'd take IA hand in myself; So I've bin
waitin' for you to arrive"
''Way Should you take any interest in
this natter?'' asked the Judge, just
little suspicious.
'.Jcdge, do you remember Tuskegce, Al
aban,a, in '59F'
.'Cersainl1 practiced law there at that
times'
Correct; and do you remember a young
Zip of boy. Charley Winchell, who had
narrer squeeze of it for sticking a knife in
to man in a quarrel over game of
cards ?''
"Of course defended him"
''And got him acquitted. too, and nary
cent would you take from his poor old
MOTHER" and Just here Smiths voice be-
came little choked and inaudible. "Well,
Jedge heer'd one of 'eIh gospel sharps say
onc't sornethin bout casting your bread
upon the waters; disremelnber exactly
how the chap he spoke of played his hand,
but know that he beat the 'bank at last.
Now, Jedge, Smith, the sharp will jest
squar' up Charley Winchell's debit
Il should not have recognized you"
"Well, | reckon l don't look much as
used to, but the hearts the same. You've
kinder changed your looks someway since
saw YOU about month ago in Austen"
''fve shaved off my mustache and goatee
so that / could escape from the valley.
These men are hot after my blood they say
that l have made a fraudulent use of the
bonds issued by the new railroad. l am
president of the COMPANY"
'Now, Jedge, you want to slip quietly
out of this hyer coach, and hide in the bush,
make for Silver Greek, and strike off to the
left so as to reach the hills. After you pass
the crck you can come back to the road
again, and go for Austen. When they over
haul this coach, Eli jest sw'a that you got
out Jest this side Of Murphy's, and in
course they'll go piling back there arter you.
Now, Jedge; now's your time!''
Smith leaned over and opened the coach
door. and as he did so the coach came to a
sudden stop, and Smith caught sight of a
group Of masked horsemen blockading the
road beyond.
"Pard,'' he cried, as he drew his head
into the coach, "they've trumped our
trick -
s.rIl sell my life dearly - the Judge ex-
claimed, grasping his weapons.
"Hold on know a trick worth two of
that ~ and Smith, as he spoke, grabbed the
semi-military cloak which the Judge wore
and wrapped it around his own shoulders !;
then, before Durell could say word, Smith
jumped out into the road.
sWhat is the meaning of thfs outrage !?
Do you know that | am Judge Durell, of
Austen ?' he cried, apparently in great in
dignation.
eGet on, driver!' yelled the masked man
q, the head of the coach horses, giving them
a violent lash with his whip.
Away went the coach down into the defle
.t beadlong speed, the driver perfectly sat
;sied that the single passenger inside was
chat "sharp" Smith, and that the Judge
ras in the hands of the masked men.
"Two minutes to say your prayers IN!