The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-28
INJECTION COUNTY THURSDAY July 2s 1881

of which sat three solemn, disconsolate in
diyiduals, who looked appealingly at the
colonel s1sss ''sss
Mack II tell yer how t was, fellers, I" said
the colonel, meekly, while I pocket the
mare"
The colonel was absent but very few
moments, but when he returned each of
the four was alfred in pistol and knife,
while Mack was distributing some dominoes
made from rather dirty -four sack.
faint SO late as all that, is it?" inquired
the colonel.
Better be an hour ahead than miss in
this ere night. said one of the four. Il
amt been SO thirsty since we came round
the horn in so, an we run short Of water.
Somebody IL get hurt if there amt any Bit
tiers in the old concern--they will, or my
name amt Perkins!"
Matched, Perky, said one of the crowd, as
he adjusted the domino under the rim Of
his hat. S 'posin' there should be too
many for us?"
Study, stiddy, Cranks!'' demonstrated
the colonel. Nobody gets along Of them
low themselves to be skeered."
Fact, cham4ed in the smallest and thin
nest man in the party aThe Bible says
somethin' mighty hot bout that. I disre-
member dzactly bow it goes but I've hern
parson Buzzy, down in Maine, preach rip
pin old sermons many time. The old
man never thort what comfort them SER
mons wuz agoin' to be to a road agent,
though. The time we stopped Slim Mikes
stage and he didn't have no more manners
than to draw on me, them sermons was a
perfect blessing to me-the thorts of them
cleaned my head as quick as cocktail
! An" ega", - - 49,
Il don't want to dispute Logroller's pious
strain, interrupted tie colonel; "but ez it
is Old Black that's arriven' to day insted of
Slim Mike, and ez it's Old Black allus
makes his time, hedn't we better vamose?"
The door of the shanty was hastily closed
and the men filed through the thicket un-
til near the road when they marched rap
idly on in parallel lines with it. After
ing, halted and wiped his perspiring brow
with his shirt sleeve. 4''sss&
Fur enough from home now" said he.
aTaint no use bein' a gentleman if yer
have to work too herd"
Safe enough, I reckon" replied the
colonel. SWELL do the usual; I'll halt EN-,
Logroller tend to the driver, Cranks take
the boot, and Mack and Perk takes right
and left. An I know it's tough-but con-
slderin' how everlastin', eternal hard
up we are, reckon well
have to ask contributions from
the ladies, too, if there's eny aboard-eh
boys?' Ash xas !
Reckon so. replied Logroller, with 6
chuckle that seemed to inspire his BLACK
domino with wrinkle or two whats
the use Of women's rights eff they don't evel
have chance Of exercis'n em! Hevin
their purses borrowed Il show 'em the, full
doctrine in a bran new light.
Come. come, boys" interrupted the
colonel that's the crack of Old Blacks
whip; pick yer bush-q quick! AL jump
when 1 whistle"
Each man secreted himself near the road.
side. The stage came swinging alone
| heartily at something, and Old Black was
| just giving delicate touch to the flank oil
the offleader,. when the colonel gave O
| shrill, quick whistle and FIVE men sprane
into the road. rs. :
The horses stopped as suddenly as if il
were matter Of common occurrence Old
Black dropped the reins, crossed his
legs and stared into the sky, and the pas
sengers all put out their heads with rapid
ity equalled only by that with which they
withdrew them as they saw the dominoes
and revolvers of the road agents.
"Seems to be something the matter, gen
tlemen," said the colonel blandIy as he
opened the door. won't you please get
out? Don't trouble yourself to draw, COS ny
friend here's got his weapon cooked an
his fingers rather nervous Amt got a
handkerchief, hev yer?" asked he Of the
first passenger who descended from the
stage. @Hev? Well, now that's lucky. Just
put yer hands behind yer, please that's
it." And the unfortunate mans arms were
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 unmolested
for who ever heard of stage driver having
money!
aBoys,' said the colonel, calling his
brother agents aside and comparing receipts.
"'tain't much of haul; but there's only
one woman and she's old enough to be q
fellers grandmother"
Like enough she'll pan out more than
all the rest of the stage together" growled
Cranks, carefully testing the thickness of
the case Of the gold watch. "Just like the
low-ived deceitfulness of some folks to
hire an old woman to carry their money SO
it'd go safer. Mebbe what she's got amt
nothin' to some folks that's got bosses that
can win money at races. but
The colonel abruptly ended the CONVEX
sation, and approached the stage. He was
very chiyalrous, but Crank sarcastic refer
ence to Tipsie needed avenging, and as he
could not consistently with business ar
engagements put an end to .Cranks, the only
lady would have to suffer.
beg your pardon, ma am, said the
colonel raising his hat politely with one hand
! while he drew open the coach door with the
other. 9but we're taking up collection
for some deserving object We was goin'
to make the gentlemen fork over the hull
amount, but ez they amt got enough, we
will hev to bother you. "
The old lady trembled, felt for her pock-
et-book 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 vacantly into space.
4Nothin o. queried Perkins in whisper,
and with a face full or pan uJna cvmnothv Is