Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-15
F.. Au Original Stnrg*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
JULIAN NMORVILLE'S BRIDE
OR,
THE POWER OF LOVE.
CHAPTER /.
THE STAGE ROBBERS.

ryinp the mail and other valuables, from
town on the borders of California to another
town in Nevada, some twenty miles distant,
Il am not particular about names, because
they are of no importance at this juncture)
stood, with the usual complement of passen-
gers inside, at the door of the inn which con-
stituted its starting-point; while the driver,
buttoning up his rough greatcoat with much
deiiberarfon, exchanged few parting sallies
with knot of his cronies who we're hanging
around.
you'll have squally weather afore you
gets to Lone Pine, I reckon" observed one
of these worthless, with glance upward. "lf
YOU amt precious careful driving along that
there precipice by Rocky Run, you'll have
that old machine of yours over into the water,
sure as my names Bill Jones'"
you'd have it over, I don't doubt, if you
was in my seat" retorted the driver. "You
couldn't drive this team along side horse
pond, let alone Rocky Run, without capsizing
the whole carrywan, in the nighttime or the
daytime either. But I've driven over this
road many worse night than this; sometimes
when couldn't see my hand afore my face,
and never came to grief yet. I'm too old
hand at the job to miss my way"
Lucky for you. the horses knoW' it 80
WE'LL" laughed Mr.. Jones. There's saliva
ton for your passengers in that"
"You'd better NOT try to influence MY pas
sengers' minds by any more of your smart
talk" was the reply, given in rather a gruff
Tone IF was such blasted fool as not to
be able to sit on coach-box, like some folks
I knows of, it would be we'll enough to talk.
But as it is, I'd advise you to hold your
tongue"
"Come, don't be getting personal, Jim,"
said the 6rstispeaker, in conciliatory man.
ner. "No offence meant, you know. | was
only wishing, for the sake Of all concerned,
that the state of the atmosphere was q leetle
more favorable to the success of your under.
taking"
"Hear, hear" cried another. "BilPs been
studying dictionary lately"
Favorable or not, 1 don't care" quoth the
driver. Anybody who says I'm likely to
get on wrong track, or to upset this vehicle
of mine by bad driving, in the blsckest and
stormiest night that ever could be seen, is a.
liar, and I'll stick to that"
And with a defiant glance around, Jehu
mounted the box, and gathered up the reins
in his hand.
"Wait till you come back, old chap" said
Bill Jones, significantly. "I'll settle with
you then, never fear"
a"Come, this won't dc" said the landlord,
alarmed at these hostile demonstrations. "a
Jokes joke, Jim, and you shouldn't be so
touchy about it. Everybody knows you're
the smartest hand at whip on the Pacific
slope. And Bill, you're just triAe too fond
of putting in your oar at the wrong minute.
Can't you see," he added, lowering his tone,
as he pulled Mr.. Jones sleeve, "that he's un-
common crusty tonight, and had better be
let alone ?" ..
Gall right" said Jones. II know what
I'm about"
This conversation was not without its effect
on the spirits of some of the passengers, by
whom it had been plainly overheard.
"Papa," said delicate-looking girl, closely
mufled in warm wraps, who nestled at the
side of an elderly gentleman of burly figure
her travelling companion and protector, "do
you really suppose there can be any dangerf"
"No, my dear, I don't suppose there can"
replied her father, not without shade of
uneasiness in his tone. "If had thought
there was, am sure I would not have come
by this route; but understood it was quite a
safe one"
"It's perfectly safe one, sir" said man
who sat opposite. "The young lady need
have no fears. Jim Morris understands his
business about as thoroughly as any man in
these Darts. The other fellow only wanted his
joke, you know
(which seemed, however, not to be appre-
ciated," remarked the gentleman.
: '"Old Morris, is in bad humor, 1 guess.
1t isn't always that he'll put up with that
sort of talk, though I've heard him stand
much worse without getting riled byit. He'll
be all right by the time he's over this trip, l
expect"
II hope he doesn't drink" said the gentle
man. II feared, from his manner, he might
beslightly intoxicated"
"Oh! he never takes drop too much, " re-
Joined the other. "He'd be pretty rare
chap if he didn't drink some. But I'd ven
ture to bet he never was drunk in his life-at
least, while he was on duty"
"Oh, dear!" murmured the young lady.
II wish We were at our journeys end"
you'll get there all safe, Miss, never fear, "
said their new acquaintance, re-assuringly ;
while her father, drawing her coverings closer
around her, said auxiously-
"You are shivering, Annie. I hope you
are not cold, my dear.
"No, sir, I am comfortable enough; only
nv -IAcrves are rather shaken. I'll get over
it presently, I dare say"
my daughter, sir, is unhappily an inva-
lid" said the gentleman, addressing his oppo
site neighbor; "and quite unaccustomed, too,
to the rough ways of this part of the world. !"
"Sorry to hear it, sir. You are just from
the East, presume|
EYES, we are quite recently arrived"
"Ah! Expect to settle out here'"
The interrogation was Yankee, and there
fore prolific in questions.
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