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

The Austen coach had left Murphy's
ranch, and was climbing the steep hill just
this side of the Echo canyon, when a man.
springing out from under a big pine, hailed
the driver.
The solitary passenger in the coach, when
he heard the shout of the stranger, drew
his revolvers. clinked back the hammers,
and pcercd earnestly out Of the window.
Ihis passenger was a man of thirty-five
or thereabouts, slenderly built, with a
smoothly shaven face, clear gray eyes and
dark brown hair.
He looked nervous and excited, and the
hands that griped the revolvers trembled
visiby, as he peered through the window
and looked earnestly upon the stranger,
who had sprung from the shelter of the pine
just as the driver of the coach lad eased
his horses up on the ''rest,' preparatory
70 encountering the still sleeper incline
which lay beyond, extending to the hill
summit
The person who had hailed the coach was
a man just about the size of the passenger,
and singularly like him in appearance. He
had the same cool gray eyes. she same dark
brown hair and long, oval face. He was
bearded, though; little mustache and
goatee and was dressed in a neat, dark
business suit. As he sprung forward, his
coat-tails swaying with the motion, the
butts of a pair Of silver mounted revovers
peeped out.
The occupant of the coach seemed relieved
when he discovered that there was but a
single man in the road
''Say, old man, hev you got room for
another pilgrim inside your hearse p quoth
the pedestrian, addressing the driver.
The solitary individual shuddered at the
word, hearse.
II reckon kin accommodate you inside,
as the whale said to Jonah afore he swal-
loved him." replied the driver, with a
friendly nod Of recognition. 1t was evident
that he knew the stranger.
"All right I've been waiting for you at
Murphy's, and / really reckoned that you
never would come so | walked along the
road apiece, thinkin', mebbc, you'd ketch
me a,ore sundown."
"Mighty nigh that time now, amt TT
aueried the driver, with look to the west,
where the sun, now great ball of fiery
hue, was sinking slowly behind the far-of
peaks.
"What kept you? Getting lazy, old
MANI"
"No; heap of excitement down to Spur
City had to wait fur the mail the people
were list risin' onto their hind legs and
4bowliu' about the bonds issued to- this new
marrow gauge railroad that's to come mp
through the valley. Thar's been heap
of gousin' by somebody, and the boys were
talkin' to Judge Lynch pretty hot when l
left"
And here again the solitary passenger
shuddered and neryously grasped blS re-
volyers they lay ON his knees, concealed by
rho folds of his cloak which he had east over
the weapons.
..Thie burned excitement jest kills busi-
ness crowIed the stranger, preparing to
,et into the coach 81 ginerally rake the
s,orts down in the valley for al triiie when |
neel and 20 fur 'em, but, really, tis time
they're all talkin' railroad and hight, ana
won't see the blind nary time"
..AII they want 10 see is that Judge
Dureil. the fellow that got the bonds ana
hasn't put down nary iron boss yet. I
reckon he'll hev to fork or fight heered
saw that they were on his track. ~ big
party passed Murphy's this afternoon on
the war-path, too, | reckon"
Again the passenger started, shfsered'
and cast nervous glance around.
The stranger got into the coach, TOOK
seat opposite to the solitary passenger, ana
the steady horses commenced to CLIMB inc
, hill
sHow are ye p said the stranger, nodding
to the passenger, and looking curiously into
J his face Kinder dull travelling. isntHf