New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-12
"Ah. dam ii! none O. that!'

An! dam II! mono o tnet! =
drop that darne6 thing!'
The two cooked revOlvers almost touched
Franks head.
"Now, hand over that there six shooter
but foremost, there's good little man"
"Will you have the goodness to tell me
now, gentlemen, what is the meaning of all
thisl"
"Uh, you needn't play innocent; you
know blamed we'll what it means"
"1f you went money, have NO more than
is necessary for my travelling expenses
I'VE don't want yer money"
why, then, am / thus stopped on the
public road, and nay life threatenedr'
you'll find all that out when yors get
back to Boggsville.
II don't want to 60 to Boggsvile. lose
valuable horse if 1 do not go on to Big
Bend tonight"
They seemed to enjoy this last remark
hugely: "You lose horse. certainly, friend
but he amt SO derned valus Die as he might
be. But Dutch Bill will be glad enough to
git him.
well, we can't stay here blabbin, all
night. Twill take US till dark to git to
Boggsville."
They tied Spectaeles with lariats to their
saddle bows, and permitted Frank, in con
sideration of his good conduct in the mat.
ter of surrender, they said, to ride the pony
to the town. If he had been troublesome
they added, they would have made him
walk all the way, if they had not let day
light through him." They caused him to
either side made escape impo. sble, had he
wished to attempt it. He did, not, how
ever, for he was convinced the whole thing
was mistake and must certainly be cleared
up before long. As they rode on he told
them his story They evidently did not be-
lieve word of it. When they reached the
stage ranch, the lazy station keeper was
leaning against 1.-The door in his usual posi-
ton. Franks captor's questioned him as to
what he knew Of the matter. His state
ment that Frank arrived at the house in
company with another man, and that when
he arrived he rode the same horse he was
now riding, seemed to be conclusive with
them.
THAT settles it," said one whom, Fra. k
had heard addressed by his companion as
''Nibbs" "Let us be moving"
SETTLES whatp' asked Frank, somewhat
arxiously.
That you're trying to stuff us with an
Internal story about your horse bein'
changed while in the stable here, when you
came here ridin' the very animal you are
straddlin' now"
But l have explained how that oc-
CURED"
well, you can explain it to Dutch Bill,
and see whether your explanation is salts
factory to him."
WHO is Dutch Bill, and what has he to
do with met"
"Oh, not much; only that's his pony yer
ridin', and it was stole with two other
horses late Tuesday night"
Frank saw his position now as if fash
of lightning had suddenly revealed it to
him. He was arrested as horse thief!
And appearance were strong enough
against him to convince an excited commu-
nifty of his guilt. He knew that suspected
horse thieves got scsnt justice and short
shrift. In an Eastern paper he had seen an
account of the lynohing of two men by in
furiated citizens in the civilized State of
Ohio, and he remembered that it was two
years before the innocence of the victims
was discovered. Then it was only by the
confession on his deathbed of the perpetra-
tor of the crime, who had aided in hanging
the supposed culprits.
Cant you tell an honest man from a
thief 2" cried Frank, turning Indignantly to-
ward his captOrs.
'Ill be derned eff kin. nowadays" re-
piled Nibbs. When l was younger l used
to think could, but I've met so many
derned thieves in my time
that don't 90 a cent on looks any more"
Three horsemen coming in on trail from
the east now hailed them.
Jake" said Nibbs to his companion,
here's Big Steve's party. The horses your
,hum's got belong to Steve" he said. turn
ng to Frank.
''The horse he has belongs to me-" said
Frank.
"Hain't you dropped that yeti" said Jake;
it's about time"
They halted to await the arrival of Big
Steve.
"ialloo3" said Steve-he was the biggest
If the party, 80 Frank supposed he must be
Steve-"you've got something, amt yeri'
'Dog-gOn't!' said a second, ''if that amt
Dutch Bills glass eyed 'plugn"
The new corners eyed poor Frank with
10 very friendly expire ssion.
"Did you strike any trace of my ami
nalsf' asked Big Steve.
"Yes." answered Nibbs; and indicating
Frank by nod and a wink, he continued:
He's got a chum who has gone to the
forth ward with the rest of the stock. He
VAS goin' after him when we got him-un-
ess it's blind. Says his chum played
harp on him-tOok the best animals while
his one was asleep, and left him Bills old
nag
"What derned scoundrel the other one
must be!' said Steve.
"He's pretty sharp, anyhow" And they
consider an excellent joke.
IF you push on right lively, Steve, you
nay git him somewhere about Big Bend.
After his thrOw-off on his partner he'll
eel pretty safe, and think he's blurred the
rail"
"We'll git him if horsefesh and lead kin
10 it," said Steve. Fake care of yourselves"
And Big Steve and his party put spurs to
heir horses and went off at a gallsp.
IA &l.,- L.
Nibbs, "said Jake.
81 hope to God they may" said Frank.
at won't save you, friend,' said Nibbs.
But s'pose misery loves company. He's
reated you derned mean"
yes" said Jake, "he's played it on you
,retty low down, and don't wonder you'd
ike to know he was h'isted, or sure to be,
'efore YOU, 20 up yourself"
"H'istedW
The horrid word tOlled through Franks
,rain like death-knell. The terrible figure
# Judge Lynch, rope in hand, doomed up
n gloomy horror before his mino's eye.
A sudden weakness came over him. He
cit as if he wanted TO lie down and rest
md close his eyes. He feared he should
all from the saddle. By great effort he
hook of the feeling after minute or two.
ie determined to meet his fate boldly. and
AXE matters as cOolly as it was possible for
lim to do.
CHAPTER II.
1t was sunset when the party reached
3oggsville. That new and thriving town
consisted of about forty hsbita, ions, under
round and overground, "dng-outs" and
hsnties of mud, wood and canvas. They
topped before wooden structure which
'ore the following sign:
SALOON AND RESTORENT.
By JACOB aRIMsLEY.
X-L-C-R.
They were soon surrounded by crowd of
uIlaua RnA0IafQra. man. Wamen and chil.