The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-04-24


at the latter place very shortly after,
for the pursuer was the constable OF
Challenge Hill, and for constables and
all officers of the law the Colonel pos
sessed hatred of unspeakable intensity
On galloped the Colonel, following
the stage road, which threaded the ole
mining camp on Duck creek; but sud
denly he turned abruptly out OF the
road, and urged his horse through the
pines and bushes, which grew thickly
by the road, while the constable gal
loped rapidly on to the next camp.
There seemed to be no path through
the thicket into which the Colonel had
turned, but Tipsie walked between the
trees and shrubs as if they We're the ia
miliar objects of her own stable-y yard
Suddenly a voice from the bushes
shouted
What's up?"
Business-that's what, replied the
Colonel.
"It's time" replied the voice, and its
owner-a bearded ix-footer-emerged
from the bushes and stroked Tipsie's
nose with the freedom of an old ac-
quaintance. "We amt had nip since
last night, and thar amt cracker or a
handful of flour in the shanty. The
old gal go back on yer?
Yes" replied the Colonel, ruefully,
"lost ev'ry blasted race. 'Twasn't her
fault, bless her, she done her level best.
Ev'rybody to home ?"
You bet, said the man. "All ben
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 small
log hut, in front of which sat three
solemn, disconsolate individuals, who
looked appealingly at the Colonel.
I" Mac II tell yer how twas, fellers, .
said the Colonel meekly, "while !
picket the mare"
The Colonel was absent but very
few moments, but when he returned
each of the four were attired in pistols
and knife, while Mac was distributing
some dominos, made from a rather
dirty flour bag.
"'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.
" L amt been so thirsty since L come
round the Horn in 80, an we run short
of water. Somebodyll 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 for us }"
Study, stiddy, Cranks F." remon-
strated the Colonel. Nobody ever
gifts along eff they low 'emselves to be
skeered.
Fact" chimed in the smallest and
thinnest man of the party. The Bi-
bic says somethin' mighty hot bout
that. L disremember dzackly how it
goes; but I've heerd Parson Buzzy,
down i'll Maine, preach rippin' old SER
mon many time. The old man never
thort what comfort tAem sermons WIS
a goin' to be to road agent, though.
That time we stopped Slim Mike S
stage, an he didn't hev no more man.
ners than to draw on me, them sermons
wuz a perfect blessin to me-the
thought of 'em cleared my head as
quick as cocktail. An"
81 don't want to dispute Logroller's
pious strain, interrupted the Colonel {;
but ez its Old Black that's 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, hated and
wiped his perspiring brow with his shirt
sleeve.
EUR enough from home now," said
he. "Taint no use bein' gentleman
eff yer have to work too hard"
"Safe enough, L reckon" replied the
Colonel. "We'l do the usual I'll halt
'em, Logroller, tend to the driver,
Crank takes the boot, an Mack an
Perk takes right and left AM know
its tough-but considerin' how ever
lastin', eternally hard up we are reck-
on we'll hev to ask contributions from
the ladies, too, if theirs any aboard-eh,
boys ?"
"Reckon So" replied Logroller, with
a chuckle that seemed to inspire even
his black domino with merry twinkle
or two. What's the use of women's
rights eff they don't ever have chance
ov exercisin' EN-. Hevin' their purses
borrowed nd show EN- the hull doc
trine in bran new light"
They're treacherous critters, womer
is" remarked Cranks; some of 'en
might put knife into Teller while he
wuz apologizin'."
"Ef you're afeard ov EN-" said Per
kins, "you ken go back an clear up thu
shanty."
Reminds me of what the Bible SEE,
said Logroller 9" theirs lion on tn,
trail ; I'll be chawed up, seq the lazy ga
loot, or words to that effect.
"Come, come, boys" interposed tn
Colonel, "dont' mix religion and biz
ness. They don't mix no more than
Hello, thar's the crack of old Black
whip pick yer bushes-quick Al
Jump when / whistle ,"
Each man secreted himself near tn
roadside. The stage came swinging
along handsomely those inside wer
laughing heartily about something, an
Old Black was just giving a delicat
touch to the flank of the off leader
when the Colonel gave a shrill quic