Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-18

fault, bless her-she done her level
best. Ev'rybody to home?"
"Y You bet" said the man. "All ben
prayin' for yer ter turn up with the
rocks, an somethin' with more color
than spring water. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and
denly found themselves before small
log hut, in front of which sat three
solemn, disconsolate individuals, who
looked appealingly at the colonel. -.
"Mac'u tell yer how twas, fellers, %
said the Colonel meekly, "while 1
picket the mare st.9a aasa3|ns
The Colonelwas absent but very few
moments, but when he returned each of
the four were attired in pistols and
knife, while Mac was distributing some
dominoes, made from rather dirty
-four bag. .sf Z. a ..
"'Taint so late ez all that, is it p
inquired the Colonel.
"Better be an hour ahead than miss
in this ere night" said one of the four
1" [ amt been SO thirsty since I come
round the Horn, in 80, an we run
short of water. Somebody IL git hurt if
the amt any bitters on the old concern
they will, or my name amt Perkins. !"
"Don't count on your chickens fore
they're Matched, Perky" said one of
the party, as he adjusted the domino
under the rim Of his hat. "S'posin'
Their shud be too many fur us %
"Stiddy, stiddy, Cranks p remon-
strated the colonel. "Nobody ever
gifts along eff they low 'emselves to be
skeered" ...-
"Fact," chimed in the smallest and
thinest man if the party. "The Bible
says somethin' mighty hot bout that.
disremember dzackly how it goes );
but I've heerd Parson Buzzy, down in
Maine, preach a rippin' old sermon
meny a time. The old man never thort
what a comfort them sermons WIS a
goin' to be to a road agent, though.
That time we stopped Slim Mixes stage,
an he didn't hev no more manners than
to draw on me, them sermons wuz a
perfect blessin' to me-the thought of
'em cleared my head as quick as cock
tail AM"
81 don't want to dispute Logroller's
pious strain" interrupted the colonel :;
"but ez it's Old Black that's a drivin'
to-day instid 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" said
he. '''Taint no use bein a gentleman
eff yer have to work too hard
"Safe enough, I reckon" replied
the colonel. "Well do the usual: I'll
halt 'em, Logroller tend to the driver,
takes right an left. AM know it's
tough-but considerin' how everlastin'
eternally hard up we are, I reckon we'll
hev to ask contributions from the ladies,
too, eff theirs any aboard-eh, boys 90
Reckon So replied Logroller, with
chuckle that seemed to inspire even
his black domino with merry wrinkle
or two. "What's the use ov women s
rights eff they don't ever hev chance
ov exercisin' 'em? Hevin' Their purses
borrowed nd show EN- the hull doctrine
in bran new light"
"They're treacherous critters, wo-
men is, remarked Cranks s'some of
'em might put knife into teller while
he wuz pologizin'." .'' Sd. .4.a -.# no.
"Ef yOat're afeard ov EN-" said Per-
kins, you ken go back an clear up the
shanty." b..
Reminds me ov what the Bible SEE, -
said Logroller; "ther's lion on the
trail I'll be chawed up, SEE the lazy
galoot, or words to that effect
"Come, come, boys" interposed the
colonel, "don't mix religion an bizness.
They don't mix no more than-Hello,
thar's the crack of Old Blacks whip !!
Pick yer bushes-quick! ALI Jump
when 1 whistle! % To-.
Each man secreted himself near the
roadside. The stage came swinging
along handsomely; the inside were
laughing heartily about something, and
Old Black was just giving delicate
touch to the flank Of the of leader.
when the colonel gave a shrill, quick
whistle, and five men sprang into the
road. - s-
| 1ue uoISeS SIOppeu DIS suddenly as II
it were matter of common occurrence.
Old Black dropped the reins, crossed
his legs, and stared into the sky, and
the passengers all put out their heads
with rapidity equalled only by that
with which they withdrew them as they
saw the dominoes and revolvers of the
road agents.
"Seems to be something the matter,
gentlemen, % said the Colonel, blandly,
as he opened the door. 'sWon't you
please get out !? Don't trouble yourself
to draw, COS my friend here's got his
weapon cooked, an his fingers is rather
nervous. Amt got handkerchief, hev
yer ?" asked he of the frstpassenger who
descended from the stage. Hev Well
now, that's lucky. Just put yer hands
behind you, please-so-that's it," And
the unfortunate man was securely bound
in an instant.
The remaining passengers were
treated with similar courtesy, and the
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