Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-08-02

yard
Suddenly voice from the bushes
shouted
What's up?"
Business-that's what, replied the
colonel.
Its time" replied the voice, and its
owner-a hearded-Six-f x-footer-emerged
from the bushes, and stroked Tipsie's
nose with freedom Of M old acquaint-
ance. I'VE amt had il nip since last
night, and thar ain't Il cracker ora hand
ful of flour in the shanty. The old gal
80 back on yer?'
4 Yes" replied the colonel ruefuily,
lost every blasted race. 'Twasnt her
I fault-blcss her--she done her level best.
Everybody to home?'
You bet" said the man. "All been
prayin' for yer to turn up with the
rocks, an somethin' with more color
than spring wa er. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie
and the colonel followed, and the trio
suddenly found themselves before Il
small log hut, but in front of which
sat three solemn, disconsolate individ-
uals. who looked appealingly tothe col
onel
Macll tell yer how twas fellers,"
said the colouel, meckly, while | pick
ct the mare"
The colonel was absent but very few
moments, but when he returned each
of the four was attired in pistols and
knife, while Mac was distributing some
domnoes, made from u rather dirty.
flour bag.
"Tain't so late ez all that, is it," in
quired the colonel.
Better be IN hour ahead than miss
in this ere night, said one of the four
" | amt been 40 thirsty since come
round the Horn in 80, M we run short
Of water. Somcbody'll get hurt If ther
ain't any bitters on the old concern
they will, or my name amt Per
kins."
"Don't count on your chickens fore
they're hatchcd, Perky, said one of the
party, az he adjusted the domino under
the rim Of his hat. "S'posen' ther' shnd
be too many for u.s."
"Stiddy, stiddy, CranksI demonstrate
cd the colonel. Nobody ever gets
along cf they low 'emselves to be
skecred.
Fact" chimed III the smallest and
thinnest man in the party. "The Bible
SAYS somethin' mighty hot bout that |
disrcmemher dzckly how il goes; but
I've heered Parson Bnzzy, down inI
Maine, preach rippin' old sermon
many u time. The old man never
thort what comfort them sermons
wus agoin' to be road agent, though.
That time we stopped Slim Mikes stage,
and lie dian't hey no more manners
than to draw OH me, them sermons wuz
perfect blessing to me-the thought
of 'em cleared my head as quick as
cocktail. AM
81 don't want to dispute Logroller's
pious strain" Interrupted the colonel;
"bnt cz its Old Black that's adriyin
to-day instead of Slim Mike, an ez Old
Black alters makes his time, hednt we
better vamoscY
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
within it. After about half an nonr, Per
kns, who was leading, halted and wiped
his perspirating brow with his SHIRT
sleeve.
Fur enough from home, now SAID
he, "Tain.t no use bcin' 4 gentleman
ef yer have ter work too hard.
Safe enough, reckon replied the
colonel. wen do the usual; III halt
en-, Logrolcr tend to the driver,
Cranks takes the boot, an Mac an Perk
takes right an left. An know IT'S
toueh-but considerin how everlastin
eternally hard up we are, ! reckon wen
hey to ask contributions from the ladies,
too. ef thars any aboard -ch, boys "
Reckon "a, 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 ef they don't ever have chance
ov exercisin' EN-? Hevin' their purses
borrowed nd show 'em the hull doctrine
in bran new light"
Come, come, boys, interposed the
colonel, thar's the crack Old Black
whip, Pick yer bushes-quickl All
jump when | whistle,
Each man seereted 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 tothe flank Of the oil leader, when
the colonel gave a shril, quick whistle,
and five men sprang into the road.
The horses stopped AZ suddenly AZ i i
were a matter of common ocearence.
Old Black dropped his reins, crossed biz
legs and stared INTO the ky. and the
\ passengers all put ont their heads witha
rapidi,y equalled only by that which
they withdrew them, is they saw the
dnninnn. and rnNnlNnr. IN tie rnal