The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-28
NUMBER so

their hut, fondly inspecting as they went
certain TASKS they had obtained while trans
acting. their business with the occupants of
the stage.
Great was the surprise of the road agents
as they entered their hut. for there stood
the colonel in clean white shirt and in
suit Of clothing made from the limited
spare wardrobes Of the other members Of
the band.
But the suspicious Cranks speedily sub
ordinated his wonder to his prudence as
laying on the table a heavy purse, he ex-
claimed:
"Come, colonel, business before pleasure,
let's divide and scatter Eff anybody should
hear about, and find our trail, an ketch the
traps in our possession, they might"
Divide yerselves?" said the colonel,
with white abrubtness and great oath,
I don't want none Of it."
Colonel" said Perkins, removing his
own domino and looking anxiously into the
leaders face, BE you sick? Here's some
bully brandy which found in the passen-
gers pockets.
1T hain't nothin', replied the colonel
with averted eyes, I'm goin' and I'm re-
trim from business forever.
Amt going to turn evidence?" cried
Cranks, grasping pistol on the table.
Tn going to make q lead mine of you eff
you don't take that back! reared the colonel.
with a bound that caused Cranks to drop
the pistol and retire precipitately apologize
ing as he went, I'm going to at
tend to my own business, and that's
enough to keep anybody bizzy. Somebody
lend me fifty dollars till I see him agin.
Perkins pressed the money into the col
onel's hand, and within two minutes the
colonel was on Tipsie's back and galloped
Off the direction the stage had taken.
He overlook it, passed it, and still he
galloped on. s-s.s..s..,.-=
The people at Mud Gulch knew the
colonel we'll and made it rule never to be
astonished at anything he did; and they
made an exception to the rule when the
colonel canvassed the principal barrooms
for men who wished to buy horse, and
when a gambler who was flush obtained
Tipsie for 20 slugs-only 81 900, when the
colonel had always said there wasn't gold
enough on the top Of the ground to buy
her-Mud Gulch experienced decided
sensation.
But when the colonel, after remainingin
the barber shop for half an hour, emerged
with his face clean shaved and his hair
nicely trimmed and parted. betting was so
wild thata cool-headed sporting man made
a fortune by betting against every theory
that had been advanced.
| Then the colonel madea tour Of the stores
and fitted himself with new suit of clctehs
carefully eschewing all Of the gorgeous pat
terms and pronounced colors so dear to
the heart of the average miner~
He bought new hat and put on pair Of
boots, pruned his finger nails, and stranger
than all he mildly refused all invitationa
to drink.
As the colonel stood in the door of the
principal saloon, where the stage always
stopped, the Challenge hill constable was
seen to approach the colonel and tap him
on the shoulder. upon which all those who
bet that the colonel was lodging somebody
claimed the stake. But those who stood
near the colonel heard the constable saw
Colonel, I take it all back. When seed
you 60 out of Challenge hill it come to me
that yeu might be in the road agent bust
ness, SO followed you-duty, you know.
But when seed you sell Tipsie I knew {
was on the wrong trail wouldn't suspect
you now if all the stages in the country was
robbed; and I'll give you satisfaction in any
way you want it,"
Its all right" said the colonel with O
smile. The constable afterward said that
nobody had any idea of how curiously the
colonel smiled when his beard was off.
Suddenly the stage pulled up to the door
with a crash, and the male passengers hur-
ried into saloon in state of utter indig-
nation and impetuosity. The story of the
robbery attracted everybody, and during
the excitenent,t the colonel slipped out quiet
" and opened the door of the stage. The
old lady started and cried:
"George!" =
And the colonel jumped in the stage and
putting his arm tenderly around the trem-
bling form Of the old lady, exclaimed:
"Mother!" stss ftss