The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-06-01
BEN HOLLADAY,S NOSE.

While travelling in Washington train
recently with number of facquaintances old
Ben Holiday became unusually communi-
cative. He climbed the Rocky mountains,
waded through the Great Salt lake, jumped
across the Black canon OF the Colorado, dane
ed in the Death valley, cooked grizzlies in
the Yellowstone geysers, scudded down the
shoshone falls, and told score of stories so
thrilling that the hair of his hearers arose
in protest. one of his yarns was both start
ling and amusing. ..
Gone night" said he, "long before the
Pacific railroad was built, was bouncing
over plains in one of my overland coaches.
My wife was with me. She was sick, and
lay asleep on the bottom Of the stage on
bed of buffalo skins. The night was fear
fully dark, and drizzling rain was falling.
Mrs. Holiday and myself were the only
passengers. Several stages had been robbed
within two months, and the driver was rip
ping alongas though gang ofprairie wolves
were after him. Suddenly the horses were
thrown on their launches and the stage
stopped. was heaved forward, but quick
ly recovered, ana found myself gazing at
the muzzles Of double-barreled shotgun.
By the dim light ofthe stage lamps the bar
rels looked as big as nail-kegs. Throw up
your hands and don't STIR shouted the own
er of gruffvoice. Up went my hands, and
began to commune with myself. saw
that he did not know who was, and was
afraid that my sick wife might awake and
call Inc by name. My coat was buttoned
over my bosom, but hardly high enough to
hide a magnificent emerald that cost me
over $4,000 few weeks before in San Fran
cisco hardly breathed through fear that
the light might strike the stone and its
sparkling bnlliancy attract the attention Of
the robber. Ihad abont $4O, 900 in money
belt close to the skin, and several hundred
dollars in my pocket.
Suddenly my friend shouted, Come,
shell out, id quick, or I'll send the devil
free lunch
al passed out the few hundreds loose in
my pockets, handed him my gold watch and
chain. They were hefty. Think the chain
alone would weigh five pounds, at least
There said l, there's every cent I've
got. Take it and let me go on. My wife is
very sick, and don't know what would
happen to her if she knew what was going
on
Keep your hands up was the reply
while second robber received the watch
and money, Then a search was made fol
the express company's box, but the double.
barreled shotgun did not move. Its muz
Eles were within foot ofmy nose. For my
life did not dare to stir. Ny nose begar
to itch. The stiff hairs of my moustache 60
up one after another and tickled it until tn,
sensation was intolerable. l could stand i
no longer.
Stranger cried, I must scratch my
nose. 1t tches so that am almost crazy
az Move your hands, he shouted, and II
blow hole through your head big enough
fora jack-rabbitto jump through. Iappeal
ed once more. fWell,' he answered, 'keeI
your hands still, and I'll scratch it for you
hate to see partner suffer-"
"Did he scratch it?" asked one Of BEN
interested listeners.
"sure," said Mr.. Holiday.
" How" asked the breathless listener.
"With the muszle of the cooked gun.
eaid the great oyerlander "He rubbed tn
muEsls around my mouEsehe and rsked /