Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-18

Old Black was just giving delicate
touch to the flank of the Off leader whom
the colonel gave shrill, quick whistle
and five men sprang into the road.
The horses stopped as suddenly as if
it were u matter OF common occurrence.
Old Black dropped the reins, crossed
his legs and stared into the sky, and the
passengers all put ont their heads with
rapidity equaled only by that with
which they withdrew them M they saw
the dominoes and revolyers Of the road
agents.
" Seems TO be something the matter,
gentlemen, said the colonel, blandly, as
he opened the door won't you please
get out? Don't trouble yourself to
draw, cos my friend here's got his
weapon cooked an his fingers rather
nervous. Amt got a handkerchief, hey
yer p asked he Of the first passenger
who descended from the stage. "Hev?
Well, now, that's lucky. Just put yer
hands behind yer, please-so-that's it"
And the unfortunate mans arms werc
securely tied behind in an instant.
The remaining passengers were treated
with similar courtesy, and the colonel
and his friends examined the pockets OF
the captives. Old Black remained un.
molested, for whoever heard OF n stage
driver having money?
Boys" said the colonel, calling his
brother agents aside and comparing re.
ceipts, tain't much Of haul; but
there's only one woman, and she's old
enough to be a fellows grandmother. -
Like enough she'll pan ont more
than all the rest of the stage put to-
gether,' growlod Cranks, carefully test
ing the thickness of the case of the gold
watch. Just like the low. lived deceit
fulress of some folks to hire an old
woman to carry their money, so it'd 60
safer. Mebbe what she's got amt
nothin' to some folks that got hosses
that can win money at races, but"
The colonel abruptly ended the con-
yersation, and approached the stage.
lie was very chiyalrous, but Crank's
sarcastic reference 10 Tipsic needed
avcnging, and as he could not con
sistently with business arrangements
put an end to Cranks, the only lady
would have to suffer.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said
the colonel, raising his hat politely with
one hand while he drew open tho coach
door with the other, "but we're taking
up collection for some descrvin'
object. We was goin' to make the
gentlemen fork over the hull amount, ,
but ez they amt got enough, VIC will
have to bother you"
The old lady trembled. felt for her
pocketbook and raised her veil. The
colonel looked into her face, slammed
the stage door, and sitting on the hub
Of one OF the wheels, stared vacantv
into space.
"Nothin' I" quericl Perkins in O vhis.
per, and with face full Of genuine
sympathy.
No-yes, said the colonel, drcamilv.
" That is, unite EN- and let the stage 80
ahead" he continued, spriuging to his
feet. "I'll hurry back to the cabin. "
And the colonel dashed into the bushes
and left his followers 20 paralyzcd with
astonishment that Old Black aiterward
remarked that If there'd been anybody
to attend to the horses ho could have
cleaned out the hull crowd with his
whip.
The passengers, relieved Of their
weapons, were unbound, allowed to enter
the stage. and the door was slammed.
upon which Old Black picked mp his
reins as if he had laid them down at the
station while the horses were being
changed, then cracked his whip and the
stage rolled of, while the colonors
party hastened back to their hut, fondlv
inspecting as they went certain TASKS
they had obtained while transacting
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 a clean white
shirt and in suit of clothes made
from the limited spare wardrobes of the
other members of the band.
But the suspicious Cranks speedily
subordinated his wonder to his pru-
dence, as laying on tho table a heavy
purse he exclaimed:
"Come, colonel, business before
pleasure, let's divide and scatter. Ef
anybody should hear about It, an kotch
the traps in our possession, they might"
Divide yerselves," /" said the colonel.