The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-22
ACOLORADO EXPERIENCE.

ACOLORADO EXPERIENCE.
One tempest tossed night, weather
bound at q small hotol on the stage
route from Santa Fe, VIC met fellow
traveller in whom we became greatly m
tercsted.
Among others,my companion,a finely
built, athletic fellow, narrated an expe
rience Of the previous season, which, hi
said, "made every hair stand on tip
toe"
How We asked. Were you II
great peril?'
sOne of those imminent risks that you
meet at every turn. Four of us came
in the stage from Santa Fe. the last o.
June, l think. A young lady-govern
ess in an officers family-her escort, 8
wealthy merchant, reputable, with &
guarantee of honor inscribed on every
line of his earnest face, and myself, were
acquaintance; the other was the horse
sheer of the company, bound for the
stables at Denver.
The lady-among the twenties-was
so happy in the thought of going East
and seeing her widowed mother-was
so interested and full of life, that her
JOY rippled through our conversation
like q warble.'
You'd like q personal description
well; rather tall and willowy, oyes
black and full Of sparkle as frosty
night, and hair commonly called red,
but with CLINT Of gold. in lines and
dashes wherever the sunlight glanced
across it. saw it fully when she drop
ped her hat, and stylish, neat affair
that was, too-but ! have not como to
that yet
I'm sure you're aware Of the brigand-
age for which that route is noted. Mar
vclous talcs are told of tho robbers. !
suspect tho mountain. passes of the Ap-
ennincs hold no moro mystery OF crime
than do tho rocky passes OF this fresh
continent. Constantly facing danger,
the pioneer acquires hardihOod that
fits him for overy fresh encounter OF
peril, however unusual. Tho periodic
robbing of stages has become SO much
of a fact that the express company will
take no moro risks, and specie and trea-
sure have to be taken East by private
parties
AS a government expert, was vol
known to tho bankers of Santa Fe.
They never hesitatcd to intrust me with
large amounts of gold, and this time
there was no exception. So l was
loaded, partly by means of On inner
belt around my waist, partly by false
improvised in my valise by
strong wrapping paper over
the precious parcels and inner lining Of
tho bag
The day would have been intolerabie
but for the cool currents that swept
down tho declivities and through the
ravines. Frequently during
the day, up tho steep asCents, We would
get out and walk. IL rested us and re-
lievcd the tedium of tho drive. Tho la
dy was most charming, rafting her
words like fine shot against our sallies
of wit and wisdom, and turning into
sport and jest our serious tears. She
became confidential, and told us she OK
pected to return madame, with a mill
tary escOrt-if she returned at all. Her
fiance was lieutenant, stationed now
in the Indian Territory; but when he
received his furlongh-well, very soon,
we might expect TO hear
Of wedding bells
81 would like to be little richor,
she added with sigh; 'bnt We must
take what the good God gives us, and
my treasure happens TO be not in gold"
Chow much OF dot have you 2 said
the practical merchant
She laughed mcrrily. Are you a
bandit in disguiseY' then added, the
fruits OF my industry amount to the
heavy weight of ono thousand in gold "
"You haven't it with your no in
luired, so quickly and earnestly that l
vas surprised.
Como you are accounted shrewd, Just
ry and find out! l will answer all rel.
want questiOning.'
'Ho blushed and stammercd an apol-
'gy, and she sat for a moment on rock
hat projected from tho side of tho road
yer the mountain edge. She had gath
red stray flowers on her walk, diving
lnder bushes and behind rocks, and
vas fastening them on her hat and man.
le. A scarlet creeper ran round the
,ase of tho rock down the side of the
nOuntaln.'
"Oh, that suits me, must have that,
no said, rising to hor foot, and dropping
at and flowers IN the excitement. Just
hen q sudden eddy OF wind camo twist.
ny round the corner of a assure, and
vhirled hat and flowers round and
ound, lodging Thorn beyond her power
f recovery, on narrow lodge Of rer-
rock, jutting out and mac
essiblc from the road
elbow, now, what will you dor /
aid, half in sport at tho possibility of
areheadcd companion for the rest of
he trip
TO my surprise, che looked the i'm
GO Of despair and grief; the color had
aded out Of her rosy cheeks; even her
ps were ashy and pale. Her hands
ere clasped in the most agonizing ex-
and she muteiy gazed at the
ender shape below, hooking her with
g airy grace Of blooms
ooh, my friends! can't you recover
,at hat tor mef Do, in pity, and I
i'll thank you to my dying day.
mo mother, appealing for q lost
lid, could have been more pIteous,
lille tears stood in her eyes. was
alf angry that any woman could be 90
by the loss of a hat