The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-03-02

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When finally the stage rolled out Of
Deadwood 1t carried the treasure box
and nine persons. One was the driver,
Perkins and myself we're two others,
while ok men. armed to the teeth, formed
the guard of the treasure. box. s.9
"No wonder Perkins says there 10 no
danger" I thought as these terrible fel-
lows clambered In and took their seats.
i should say they were able TO take care
Of . regiment OF McCrackens. / sus-
pect there will be considerable shooting
going on, and it won't be the easiest
thing in the world to dodge the bullets.
But McCrscken Isn't q fool, and he. won't
attack suy such party rs this."
This was . very natural conclusion,
but I hilsd To zee any particular bril-
liancy = the plan Of Perkins.
A conpany OF armed men was sent
ept in charge ot 4 box Of gold-dust. -
These rs reason 10 npprehend "a pSlaek
from read agents; II which event t6e
road agents would receive q hot recep-
tion.
That was oil there was in that; and
where Was the glory Of Perkins to come
But hold!
Fairly beyond the clear Of Deadwood
the stage halted, ,snd the six men got ont
and left.
II ever . man Was thunder. struck, l
was. turned to the grinning Perkins :
"What the mischief does that mean p
"It's oil right-it's eli right" he
laughed.
~ think I'll 60 along with Them"
added, alarmed and angry. "If they're
afraid 10 push on, don't see what en-
couragement there 10 for me to keep the
company Of man who doesn't carry q
pistol"
"Sit atillr' said be, catching my arm
and drawing me back. II have got q
pistol somewhere shout the coach, but it
isn't loaded."
.Why have these men left p I deman.
ded.
a'Cause We don't need 'em."
"What can We do In oase Of an at-
tack p
"You'll see; rest easy. Remember i
am with you"
Ibegan to doubt which was the great.
er fool-Perkins or myself-in placing
such implicit trust in him. / concluded
that an impartial jury would award me
the palm of stupidity but / now made
up my mind to see the thing through.
During the succeeding afternoon dis.
covered that one of the iron bands which
held the treasure-box to the bottom oi
the stage was loosened, and / immedi.
ately called the attention of Perkins to
the same.
At first he expressed surprise and con.
cern, but soon saw Il was oil pretense,
He knew OF the loosenieg Of the band
before 1t caught my eye; most likely be
himself had caused It to be done-but
he resolutely refused to admit anything
OF the kind to me.
That evening was expected to be the
|sveDtful one, and the drivers burly
lrishman named Dennis Carfsnan-Jurn.
ed the horses so as to reach the same
gulch after dark, when the moon had
risen.
Everything indicated that Perkins had
striven to invite the attack from the flrst.
The open secret Of the treasure-box, the
withdrawal OF the guard, the timing OF
the arrival at the gulch-all these show
ed that Michael McCracken was specially
invited to step forward and take the
booty.
aIf you have put something else In
there" said l, tapping the boz with my
foot, 'instead of money, fail to see
anything smart about it. We will sim.
ply disappoint them-that's all /; and poor
Pete learned the danger Of that"
aAll you have got to do 10 to wait"
"Haltr'
Il was the same sharp, peremptory
command to which the stage-drivers and
passengers to and from the Black Hills
have long since become accustomed.
The team stopped on the instant, and,
as before, the dark figures, with the rifles
leveled, Summoned us TO come forth and
surrender.
A minute later the driver and We two
stood at the roadside.
"McC Crackep," said Perkins in whim.
pering voice, 81 want to ssk favor"
"What is that 2" demanded the outlaw
with 40 oath.
aIeuaranteed to put this thing through
oil, right, and you've catched as. / can't
bear 70 see oil that gold gobbled up
right before my eyes. Let me and my
friends retire where We can't look upon
the touching scene. 'Twould break my
heart"
This ridiculous request provoked a
laugh oil round, snd l couldn't avoid a
smile myself.
, McCracken said We might 60 up the
hank for oil be cared, for be certainly In.
cured no risk in allowing us liberty.
I So We scrambled up the steep hank
and plunged In among the sparse UNDER
growth beyond.
.sBe quick, boys" said Perkins, in
painting undertone. "Its life or death"
The next minute I understood the
meaning Of this excited warning.
We were not ffty yards from the road
which, II will be borne In mind, was .
deep gully and hidden frsm sight, when
there came . laundering explosion, which
made the earth tremble beneath our feet.
Turning our afrighted gaze backward
We saw . sheet Of fame and Gre shoot
ing upward from the rosd, as II from
the throat OF o volcano.
That treasure box, instead Of gold,
nitro-glyoerine!
McCracken and his gang, and the
stage and the hDrses-where are theyf
Il was clever scheme of Perkins, bat
had I know the dangerous contents IN.
der the seat, / am sure there would have
been one less passenger In the coach
when It left Deadwood.
III You are Sick, Read
the Kidney Wort advertisement In an.
other column, and it win explain to you
the rational method of getting we'll
Kidney. Wort will ssve You more doc