The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-09-08
bat mad pace down the mountain


side. ....
Lets see," he continued, "if noth-
ing goes wrong aud the roads all
right, l ought to make my last
change about fve o'clock aud reach
the Pass before six. II will then be
broad daylight, go | can rattle right
along. and then, after the spin down
the 'csusway, Ill strike. Dixson's
before seven, certain. Beyond that
the road is too open aud too much
travelled into Helena to be danger.
GUS. BY Jove he concluded, his
heart warming as he struck his heel
against the safe beneath the seat,
Il don't see where the agents can
stop me, unless Good heavens |
what IL they try it in the very Pass
itself I | had not thought of that !"
The man was silent for a moment,
and his face grave then brighten
ing, he shook his reins, loosened his
revolvers in boot and belt, aud, with
a sigh, concluded his soliloquy with
tho remark
"Well, il they should meet me in
the Pass, twill be about even
thing. II they miss their first shot,
II run 'om down, drive 'eln into the
canyon, or drop EN- with my pistols
II they don't mics, why then the
swag's theirs !"
1t was now high noon, md soor
station two was reached, where hors
es we're again changed, aud when
Pool diued upon j rkol bsir.me,t
hot bread aud black coffee. Stron4
food, but none to) strony for tn
long ride yet before him.
As he mounted the box anl pre-
pared to depart, the Keeper of th,
sta ton slipped from his dus-out an'
dr ew near.
There's an oil plrl down the
road apiece, II want ride. Ht
war here bout two hours ago. Hell
bear watchin."
Aud tho rough fr,n.i,rsmar
touched the pistoi-ba.t VII ch pro.
truded from his open shirt front T.
emphasize his warning.
Jake odded.
"Tbauks Tom Ill keep my eye
open. Soiong "
The fresh stools 10 harness spi an,
strongly forward. and the empt
coach whirled way.
Its old jim, sure |" half whispel
Cd Pool to himself, IA his traine
eyes searched tue winding road be
= fore him. "rhe old devil wants t.
y ride 30 that hell be on hanl whe
Copper Tom tarns up in the Pass.
" see il oil.
The teeth clos with snap.
Good !" he continued, q mouen
Be- later "He shall ide."
Some FIVE miles we're passed., wher
. in the shadow Of great pine thu
grew near the trail, Jake espied hi,
prospective passenger, prous upo
u the giound, at the foot OF the tre
apparently resting. As the rattliu
y coach drew near, the man bestirre
', himself aud slowly roso.
"Hullo, driver 1! Kin 20 favor a
old beggar with a life ? I'm playe'
y fer I'm too old to tramp as use
;. to, an too po r to pay for ride
Kin ye give me one ?"
% He stepped forward as he spok
!. " Poor be was. il tattered garment
= betoken poverty, for his clothin
: was but single patched rag froI
" head to foot. Old he surely was
for the withered skin aud scant
, gray locks, the claw-like hands au
supken ewes, could not well be iii
a guised.
"A Half in scorn and half in pity, y
l., with brain awake to his DANCE
10 Jack drew rein aud replied to h
= petitioner;
h "Yes BE lively aud climb u
a here. TN behind time now. Whe
~ do you go ?" a ftt
The old man answered, as B
D struggled to scat at the driver
LII side
,e 'Dickson's."
Mt A touch OF the whip and q
oil horses we're again upon a quick tro
IN Pool eyed his companion as the
IN rode onward, and almost unco
g. scioasly dropped his hand to b
an boot-top aud loosened the revolv
carried there.
Pa "Cold day for May!" said Il
er newcomer, shiveriug. "rhis y
,v;ud'a aharn koon