The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-02
Apropos to tn" Occasion.

In the heavy stage coacn, as we roll out
of LeadVille, are seven men. One IS au
army officer who has half q dozen scars to
prove his bravery. Cdt Off from his COM
mand, Oh the plains last summer, bv a
score of Indians, he lntrenched himself
and fought the band off until help arrived
Two Of the others are desperadoes, who
have killed their men. Three OF the others
are stalwart miners, each armed with two
revolvers, and they look as if they would
prove ugly customers in row.
The seventh man might do some shoot
ing on a pinch, but he hopes there will be
no pinch. In the crowd are ten revolvcrs,
two derringers, three. repeating rifles and
four or five bowie knives, and there is per-
feet good feeling as, the stage rolls along.
1t is tacitly understood that the army cap
tain is to assume command in case the
coach is attacked, and that all are to keep
cool and fire to kill. i
1t ls 10 o'clock in the morning. The
windows are down and: the passengers are
smoking and talking, and seeking for COM
Portable positions The coach has lust
reached the top of hill, when every horse
is suddenly pulled up. o
elf it's u bar we'll shavo some fun"
growled one of the minors, rs he put his
uCuN OuI Ol IuC %lluOWe
Ill it's robbcr gin me the fust pop at
him !" whispered one OF the despcradoes.
No one could say what the trouble was
when wiry little chap about five feet six
inches tall, with black eyes and hair, clean
face and thin lips, appeared at the lcft-hand
door with cooked revolver in either hand,
and said:
'Genls, I'm sorry to disturb YOU, but
Ipun Tf,t m ,n1/
Please leave your shooters and climb down
here, one at tlmel" =
1t was sudden. 1t was SO sudden that it.
took ten seconds to understand the drift of
his remarks. Then every eye turned to
the right hand door, and the two revolycrs
held oy second robber were seen at the
open window. 1t was trap. The rats
were caught, and would they fght2
'Gents, Pm growing a let lie impatient"
continued the first robber, '.and | want to
see the procession begin to novel"
Let's seer The captain was to lead us,
aud we were to be cool and fire to kill.
But the captain was growing white around
the mouth, and nobody had weapon in
hand. The rats were not going to fight.
One of the miners opened the door and de-
sccndcd, and the other six humbly followed
The seven were drawn up in line across
the road, and while the 1ubber held his
shooter on the line, he cooly observed to
his partner:
'Now, William, you remove the wcap-
ons from the coach and then search these
gentlemen.
AS William obcycd every victim was Or
dercd to hold his hands ADORE his head. and
whatevoer plumber was taken from his
pockets was dropped into Williams hat.
-Four gold watches, two diamond pins,
telescope, diamond ring, gold badge
and 81, 200 in cash changed hands IL ten
minutes. Not man had WORD to say.
The driver of the coach did not leave his
seat and was not lnIerIefcd with. When
the last man had been plundtred the gen
feel Dick Turpin kindly. observed -
"You are the lil6sL decent lot of men II
ever robbed, and if times weren't so blasted |
hard, would make each Of you present |
of $40. Now, then, clim, back to your
places and the coach will 20 on"
The crowd ''clumb," ald the vehicle re-
sumed it's journey. Not weapon or a
tlmc-picce or dollar hid been saved.
Seven well-armed men hd been cleaned |
out by two and not u sho fired or wound |
given. Each man took lis seat without a
word. Mile after nile las passed in ST.
lence, and finally the scEnth man, the one
who might fight on plch, but didn't,
plaintively suggested:
'Can't some OF you gatlcmen think of
a few remarks which woid be apropos to
the occasion ?"
No one could, and I'll silence was re-
newed
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