New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-13


the bushes. and stroked Tipsis's nose With
the freedom of an Old acquaintance. I'VE
amt had nip since last night. an thar
amt q cracker or q handful of -four in the
shanty The old gal 20 back on yer9'
Yes" replied the colonel, ruefully, "lost
ev'ry blasted race. 'Twasnt her fault.
bless her-she done her level best. Ev'ry-
body to home!"
You bet" said the man. "AN ben q
prayin' for yer ter turn up with the rocks.
an somethin' with more color than sprIAg
water. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and the
colonel followed, and the trio suddenly
found themselves before small log hut, in
front Of which sat three solemn, disconso.
late looking individuals, who locked appeal
inRly at the colonel.
"Mscll toll yer how twas, fe,lers," said
the colonel, meekly. 'while I picket the
mare"
The colonel was absent but q very few
moments. but when he returned each Of the
tour was attired in pistols and knife, while
Mac was distributing some dominoes, made
from rather dirty flour bag.
"'Taint so late as all that, is it," inquired
the colonel.
"Be tier be an hour ahead than miss in
this ere night" said one of the four. Il
ANT been 60 thirsty since l come round
the Horn, in so, an We run short of water
SomebOdylI git hurt If the amt no bic.ers
on the old cOncern-they will, o. my name
amt Perkins"
Don't count your chickens fore they're
hatched, Perry" said one of the party. as
he adjusted the domino under the rim Of his
hat. 'S'p0sin' Their shud be too many for
usl"
Study, stiddy, Cranks - demonstrated
the colonel. Nobody ever gifts along eff
they low 'emselves to be skeered.'
Fact" chlmed in the smallest and thin
nest man OF the party. 1.-The Bible says
somethin' mighty hot bout that disre
member zacly how it goes; but I've heerd
Parson BURY. down in Maine, preach
rippin' old sermon from that text many
time. The old man never thOrt what q
comfort them sermons was gOin' to be to
q road agent, though. That time we stopped
Slim Mixes stage, an he didn't hev no more
manners than to draw on me. them ser
mons was a perfect blessing to ms-,he
thought OF EN- cleared my head as quick as
q cocktail An"
II don't want to disturb Logro.ier's pious
Old Black that's Crivin' to-day ins.id OF
Slim Mike, an a. Old Black alters makes
his time, hedn't We better vamose!'
The door Of the shanty was hastily closed.
and the men fled through the thioket until
near the road, when they marched rapidly
on in parallel lines with 1t. After about
half an hour Perkins, who was leading.
halted, and wiped his perspi.ing brow with
his shirt sleeve.
Fur enough from home now" said he
"Tain't no use bein' q gentlemen of yer
have to work too hard.
safe enough, reckon" replied the COL
onel. well do the usual; I'll hal. EN-
LogroIler tend to the driver; Cranks takes
the boot and Mac at Perk takes rights an'
left. AM know it's tough-buc con-
sid'rin' how everlastin' eternaily hard up
tons from the ladies, too, eft there's any
a5ord-eh, bcys7"
Reckon &c." replied Logroller, with
chuckle that seemed to inspire even his
black domino with q merry wrinkle or two.
What's the use 0v women 8 rights eff they
don't ever hev chance Ov exercisin en-
Havin' their purses borrowed nd show en-
the hull doct-in' in a bran new light
''Thev re treacherous critters, women is,
remarked Cranks; ''soms OF EN- might
put knife into feller while he waz
'pologIzn'.
''Et you're afraid ov EN-" said Perkins.
'syou kin 60 back an clean up the shanty."
Reminds me- ov what the Bible sez,"
said Logroller There's a lion on The
trail; III be chawed up. says the lazy
galoot,' or words to tina. effect"
Come, como boys" in.erposed the
colonel, don't mix religion an b:.ness.
They don't mix no more :han-Helio, thar's
the crack of old Blacks whip. Pick yer
bushes-qulck Ali Jump when I whistle"
Each man secreted himself near the rold-
SIDE The stage came swinging along
handsomely; the inside passengers were
laughing heartily about something. and Old
Black was Just giving a delicate touch to
the flank o; the od. leader, when the colonel
gave shriil, quick whistle, and five men
sprank into the road.
The horses stopped as suddenly as if it
were matter OF common occurrence. OH
Black dropped the reins, crossed his legs,
aud stared into the sky, and the passengers
all put on. their heads with a rapidly
eaualed only by that with which they
Withdrew them as they saw the dominoes
and revo.vers of the road agents.
Seems to be something the matter, gen |
op 4ned the door. won't you please get |
OUT Don't trouble yourselves to draw, cos |
my friend here's got his weapon cooked an |
his fingers is rather nervous. Amt got a !
han 'kerchief have YER" asked the colonel |
of the first passenger who descended from !
the stage. "Heve Well, now that's lucky. !
Just put yer hands behind yer, please-so-
that's it." And the unfortunate man was |
securely bound in an instant.
with similar courtesy. and the colonel and |
his friends examined the pockets Of the |
captives Old Black remained unmolested, |
for who ever heard OF stage driver hay |
ing money!
Boys" said the colonel, calling his |
brother agents aside. and comparing re- |
ceio.s, "'taint much of haul: out there's |
only one woman, an she's old enough to be |
a felier's grandmother. Better let her !
alone, eh''
"Lke enough she'll pan on. more'n all |
the res. ov the stage put together" growled !!
Cranks carefully testing. the thickness OF |
the CAGE of q gold watch. Just like the |
low.lved deceiltulaess Of some folks, to hire |
an old woman to carry their money, 80 it'll |
90 safe. Mabbe what she's got hain'r |
nothin' to some folks the.'s got bosses thai
ken win EN- money at races, but
The Colonel abruptly ended the converse.
was very chivalroue, but Crsnks' sarcastic
reference to Tipsie needed avenging, and as
he could not consistently with business ar:
ran gements put an end to Cranks, the old
lady would have to suffer.
II beg YER parding, ma am" said the
Colonel, raising his hat politely with one
hand while he opened the coach door with
the other. "but we're takin' up collection
fur some deservin' object. We wuz a-goin
to make the gentlemen fork over the hull
amount but ez they haint got enough,
we'll hev to bother you"
The old lady trembled felt for her pocket
book, and raised her veil. The Colonel
looked in 20 her face, damned the stage door,
end setting down on the hub Of one of the
wheels, stared vacantly into space.
"Nothin'!' queried Perkins in a whisper,
"No-yes," said the Colonel dreamily.
That lie, unite 'em, ami let the stage 20
ahead" he continued, springing to his feet,
s.I'il hurry hack to the cabin And the