Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-10-11

D0und at small hotel on the Stage route
from Santa Fe, we met fellow traveller,
in whom we became greatly interested.
The bowling gale and elementry uproar
intensified the cosy cheer OF our snug
little parlor. The genial warmth from
the heaped up ruddy cOalsin the CRATE
and spicy exhalati0ns steaming from an
earthen mug brewing in front, out of
which. from time to time, we replenish-
ed our glasses, stimulated conversation,
and we were soon launched upon a
stream of startling adventure.
Among others, my companion, finely
built, athletic fellow, narrated an expert
ence of the previous season, which he
said, made every hair stand on tip-tOe."
"How?" we asked. "YOu were in great
peril?"
zone of those imminent risks that
meet you every turn. -Four OF us came
in the stage from Santa Fe, the last OF
June, think. A young lady overness
in an officers family-her escort, a
wealthy merchant, reputable, with a
guaranty of honor inscribed on every
line of his earnest face, and myself, were
acquainted; the other was the horse
sheer of the company, bound for the
stables at Denver.
The lady-amOng her twenties-was
so happy in the thought of going East
and seeing her widowed mother so
interested and full of life that her joy
rippled through our conversation like a
merry MARBLE.
You like personal description?
Well, rather tall and willOwy, eyes as
black and full of sparkle as frosty
night, and hair, commonly called red,
but with CLINT of gold lines and dashes
wherever the sunlight glanced across it.
saw it fully when she dropped her hat,
and a stylish, neat affair that was, too
but have not come to that yet.
I'm sure you're aware of the brlgand-
age for which that route is noted. | suS-
pect the mountain passes of the Appen-
mines hold no more mystery of crime
than do the rocky passes OF this fresh
continent. Constantly facing dangers,
the pioneer acquires a hardihOOd that
fits him for every fresh encounter of per-
il, however unusual. The periodic rob-
bling Of stages has become so much of a
fact that the express company will take
no more risks, and specie and treasure
will have to be taken east by private
parties.
AS government expert, / was well
known to the bankers of Santa Fe. They
never hesitated to intrust me with large
amounts of gOld-and this time was nc
exception. So was loaded, partly by
means of an inner belt around my waist,
partly by false bottom imprOvised in
my valise by cumming strong wrapping
paper over the precious parcels and in
ner lining of the bag.
The day would have been intOlerable
but for the cool currents that swept
down the declivities and through the
mountain ravines. Frequently during
the day, up the steep ascents, we would
go out and walk. 1t rested us and re-
ieved the tedium of the drive. The lady
was most charming, rafting her words
like fine shot against our SallieS of wit
and wisdom, and turning into sport and
Jest our serious fears. She became con
fidential, and told us "she expected tC
return madame, with military escort
if she returned at all. Her tance was a
lieutenant, stationed now i'm Indian Ter
ritOry; but when he received his furlOugf
well, very soon, perhaps-then We
might expect to hear of wedding BELLS
Il would like to be little richer" she
said, with sigh, "but we must take
what the good God gives us, and my
treasure happens to be not in gOldp'
'HOw much of dot have your" said
the practical merchant.
She laughed merrily. "Are you ban
dit in disguise?" then saying, 1.-THE fruits
of my industry amount to the heavy
weight of $1,000 in gold"
you haven't it with your" he inquired
80 quickly and earnestly that 1 was sur
prised.
"Come, you are counted shrewd; JUS
f~x1 nd md II will o.
velant questioning" -
He blushed and stammered an apology
and sat for moment ON a projecting
rock on the side of the road over thu
mountain edge. She had gathered stray
flowers on her wall, diving under bushes
and behind rocks, and was fastening
them on her hat and mantle. A scarle
creeper ran around the base of the rOcl
down the side of the mountain.
"Oh, that suits me- must have it,
she said, rising to her feet, and dropping
hat and flowers in the excitement. Jus
then a sudden eddy of wind came twist
ing round the corner of a assure, ant
whirled hat and flowers round and round
lodging them beyond her power of re
cOvery on narrow ledge of perpendicu
lar rock, jutting out an inaccessible
from the road.
slow now? what will you dO?" said
half in sport at the possibility of bare
headed companion for the. rest of tn,
trip.
To my surprise, she looked the imag,
of despair and grief; the color had faded
out of her rosy cheeks. even her lips wer,
ashy pale. Her hands were clasped il
the most agOniZing expression as sh
mutely gazed at the slender shape be
low, mocking her with its airy grace 0
blooms.
"Oh, my friendsl can't you recover tina
hat for me? Do, in pity, and l will than
you to my dying dayp
No mother, appealing for lost chilt
could have been more piteOus, Will
tears stood in her eyes. was half angr
that any woman could be so metamOl
phOsed by the loss of a hat. The merchan
whistled, but evidently didn't choose
risk his life. The driver and horseshoe
came to their rescue; they fastened
hook on to the end of coil of rope, say
ing:
SDon't fear, miss, nor look so anxious
we'll rig something an git yer hat"
The driver, stretched at full lengtl
with only his head and an arm over tn
precipice, and anchored firmly by I'll
rest Of the party, threw his rope, harpOO
fashion, with an unerring aim. 1t caugi
in the rim, the hat was drawn up car
fully and restored to the young girl, VIII
with exhilarating color and sparklin
eyes, thanked the men most prOfusel
They cut short her rhapsOdies by Juml
ing on the drivers box and telling us
"pile in"
Once aside, she said:
Gas you are my friends, / must let yo
into the secret of of my hat. ALI Il
money possess is hidden in the linln
quilted inland no man,, not even II
highwayman, would ever suspect Il
4-eos....e h;dIa., In ruch q cell NOW WAu]