The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-03-04
A ACOL0RADO EXPERIENCES.

oone and muckle them ar clSthssr,
A COLORADO EXPERIENCE
One tempest-tossed night, weather.
i route from Santa Fe.. we met fellow.
interested. The bowling gale and ele-
mental uproar intensified the cozy cheer
of our snug little parlor, while the
glowing Goals in the CRATE and the spicy
exhalations steaming from an earthen
mug brewing in front, out of which
from time to time we replenished our
glasses stimulated conversation, and
we were soon launched upon a stream
of startling adventure.
Among others, my companion, q
finely-built, athletic fellow, narrated
an experience of the previous season,
which he said "made every hair stand
on tiptoe."
HowP' we asked. You were in
great psrilP' ...s 80
+" One of those imminent risks that
meet you at every turn. Four of us
came in the stage from Santa Fe the
last of June, think. A young lady
governess in an officers family-her
escort, q wealthy merchant, reputable.
with q guarantee of honor described on
every line of his earnest face, and my
self, were acquaintances; the other was
the horse-shoer 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 interesting and fun Of life that
her Joy rippled through our CONVERSE
ton like q merry warble.
You'd like personal description?
"Well, rather tall and willowy, eyes
as black and full Of sparkle as a frosty
night, and hair commonly called red,
but with CLINT of gold in lines and
dashes wherever the sunlight glanced
across it. 1 saw it fully when she
cropped her hat, and q stylish, neat
affair it was, too-but 1 have not come
to that yet
"rm sure you're aware Of the
| brixandage for which that route is
noted. Marvellous tales are told of the
robbers. suspect the mountain passes
of crime than do the rocky passes. of
this fresh continent. Constantly facing
danger, the pioneer acquires q hardi-
hood that fits him for every fresh en-
counter of peril, however unusual. The
| periodic robbing of stages has become
so much of fact that the express COM
pany will take no more risks, and spe-
Gle and treasures have to be taken East
by private parties.
"a 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 no exception So was loaded,
partly by means of an inner belt around
my waist, partly by a false bottom i'm
provised in my valise by cumming
strong wrapping paper over the pre-
cious parcels and inner lining of the
bag; ;
BILE but for the cool currents thatswept
down the declivities, and through the
mountain ravines. Frequently during
.he day, up the steep ascents. we would
get out and walk. 1t rested us and re-
lieved the tedium- of the drive. The
lady was most charming, rattfing her
words like fine shot against our sallies
of wit and wisdom, and turning into
sport and Jest our serious. fears. She
became confidential, and told US she
expected TO return madame, with q
military escort-h she returned at all.
Her fancee was q lieutenant, stationed
now in the Indian Territory: but when
he received his furlough-well, very
soon, perhaps-then we might expect
to hear of wedding BELLS
"sI would like to be little richer
she added, with sigh, but we must
take what the good God gives us. and
my treasure happens to be not in gold?
".HoW much of dot have your
said the practical merchant. NA
"She laughed merrily. Are you
bandit in disguiseP' then added. the
fruits of my industry amount to the
heavy weight of one thousand in goldP
"'You haven't it with your he in
quired 30 quickly and earnestly that
was surprised. 20.
".Come, you are accounted shrewd;
Just try and find out. will answer all
relevant questioniRg.' lFi.r .-ti-.
"He blushed and stammered an
apology, and she satfor moment on q
rock that projected from the side of the
road over the mountain edge. She had
gathered stray aowers ON her walk.
diving under bushes and under rocks,
and was fastening them to her hat man
tie. A scarlet creeper ran round the
mountain. go
$50, that suits me; must have it,
she said, rising to her feet and dropping
hat and flowers in the excitement. just
then q sudden eddy Of wind came twist
ing round the corner of . fissure, and
whirled them beyond her power of re-
| covery, ON q narrow ledge of perpen-
dicular rock. jutting out and inaccessi-
BILE from the road.
". How, now, what viii you dor
said, half in sport at the possibility of
q bareheaded companion for the rest Of
the trip.
ITO my surprise, she looked the i'm
age of despair and grief; the color had
faded out Of her rosy cheeks seven her
lips were ashy pale. Her hands were
clasped in the most agonizing express
sion, as she mutely gazed at the slender
shape below, mocking her with airy
grace of blooms.
go. my friend. can't you recover
that hat for me? Do, in pity, and !
will thank you to my dying day!'
"No mother appealing for q lost
child could have been more piteous,
while tears stood in her eyes. was
half angry that any woman could be 50
metamorphosed by the loss of the hat.
The merchant whistled, looked bewil-
dered, but evidently didn't choose to
shoer came to her rescue; theJ fast
ened hook to the end of . coil OF
rope. saying: l0.E
Don't fear, miss, nor look so anx.
ious; well rig something an get yer