The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-03-20
termined to resent the slight by resign

ing.
In making this momentous announce
ment was prepared for Mr.. Dobson to
rush forward, hang on my neck and
weep. But he failed TO rush; he also
failed to hang-he did not even weep.
al trust, sir" said I, initiating the
impressive manner of the man in the
novel, "that my sudden withdrawal
will not seriously impair the commercial
standing of the firm"
"N-no, no." ne said, slowly and
carelessly, and felt that whatever pc
euniary embarrassment might fall upon
the establishment was by this assur-
ance clearly relieved from all response
bility.
My father was Indifferent concerning
my withdrawal, as he intended, in an
other year, to place me as an attorneys
clerk, and he was willing that should
remain idle If l so desired. He was
very indulgent, and with the absence of
restraint thought and acted in my
eown affairs pretty much as pleased.
Having my own way / began to erect
visionary plans for the future-none of
them, it may be justly imagined, in con-
sonance with the purpose of my father.
! told the Border Queen" of my
resignation from her fathers employ,
vaguely outlining the glittering splen-
dor in which, in q few years, l would
appear before her and claim her hand,
it being taken for granted that her ia
Their was tyrant, and that his consent
could never be gained until had daz-
zled the world with my exploits, as to
the exact nature of which, however,
was not exactly clear.
Midnight found me in my room por-
ing over "The Pirates of the Deep"
which told of the vast treasures in their
possession, besides exciting adventures,
in the midst of which l doomed up
grandly.
Turning down the page, closed the
book, and gave myself up to medita.
ton. would build a ship bristling
with guns, and pirate upon the pi.
rates.
Imagination carried me through a
dozen engagements with the "hated
ice," in which always came off victo'
rious, of course, when a trihing obsta
Gle to this sort of thing suggested itseli
in the fact that the extent of my pecu-
mary resources amounted to eleven
dollars.
abandoned my intention of fitting
out man-of-war. Turning to "Tht
Dwellers of the Cave" / read of the
Indians, robbers, gold diggers and theil
fabulous discoveries, when my mind
was at once made up that l would go tt
California and be a brigand. / would
be the King of the Border, live in cave
with gold floors, sides and ceilings
while tons of dollars, stolen from tn,
hard working miners, should be stowe(
, away in the recesses. l would rescu'
the "Border Queen" from her obdurat,
parent, and she should reign queen owe
my band of cut-throats and our den o
treasure. With this brilliant resolve
arose the next morning, and, begin,
. my father not TO offer any opposition t,
my plans nor request for money, as in
tended to go to California and seek m,
fortune, not wishing to live at his ex
1 pense.
received consent and money, witt
the remark that he would honor m,
, draft for return fare, and made prepare
! tons for departure, my first step be
.. ing to get brigand to start with, as
was impatient to assume my position a
! chief.
!, jeff, the youth whom I have men
toned as being with the firm, at ono
, suggested himself to me. He graspet
at the project with feverish enthusiasm
when Immediately dubbed him eth
Red Hand" and instructed him that
must be known as his chief and h
should so address me. Then left him
with the understanding that he shout,
steal away in the night, walk to tn
! next station and then take the train.
. did think of stealing couple of horse
! from the neighbors, but that was beneatl
|. the dignity OF the chief of powerful
band, and I scorned to entertain tn
, purpose.
The day before starting I gave m,
head bath in my fathers hair tonic TO
, the restoration Of bald heads, as n,
!, brigand chief would consent to wea
:. short hair, and then tucking my pant
; in my boots procured broad-brim
; med hat, and staggered around tn
I streets gloating in the belief that l wa
the very personification of border-rui
, fan. 1 wore mysteriously savage air
elected the saliva through my teeth
gazed away off into vacancy, and wa
. supremacy oblivious to the existence Q
the acquaintance who presumed t
, speak to me. / was bloated with con
, scious superiority and Importance
was chief of 1.-THE Band of Death; OF
I the Robbers of the Dismal Cave" an,
! supported with my brigandish honors
! marriage engagement.
That night had last meeting wit
Susie, when we exchanged solemn an
repeated vows of constancy, each swear
ing by dagger which 1 had brough
!, along for the occasion. I told her 18th
ing of my purpose after reaching Cal
,, fornia, rs wanted to save the revela
, ton Of my identity as surprise when
) came to rescue her.
. Leaving Susie with mild and affec
tomato embrace-mild for a robbie