The Owosso times., 1881-07-29
What's up?'
Business-that's what

It's time, replied the voice. and its
owner-a bearded x-foOter-emerged
from the bushes and stroked Tipsie's
nose with the freedom of an old ac-
quaintance. we amt had nip since
last night, and there amt cracker or
handful of -four in the shanty. The
old gal go back on yer?'
YES replied the Colonel ruefully,
lost every blasted race. 'Twasn' her
fault-bless her-she done her level
best. Ev'rybody to home?
You bet,' said the man. 'All been a
prayin' for yer to turn up with rocks
an semethin' with more color than
spring water. Come on
The man led the way, and Tipsie and
the Colonel followed, and the trio sud-
denly found themselves before a log
hut, in front of which sat three solemn,
disconsolate individuals, who looked
appealingly to the Colonel.
'Iack'll tell yer how twas done, fel-
lers,' said the Colonel meekly, while /
pocket the mare
The Colonel was absent but a very
few moments, but when he returned
each of the four was attired in pistols
and knife, while Mack was distributing
some dominOs made from rather dirty
Hour sack.
Tain't so late as dll that, is it in
quired the Colonel.
Better be an hour ahead than miss
in this ere night, said one of the four.
Il amt been so thirsty since 1 came
round the Horn in 80 an we run short
of water. Somebody'll get hurt if
there amt any bitters in the old con-
cern-they will, or my name amt Per-
kins.'
Don't count on your chickens fore
they've 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?'
'Stiddy, stiddy, Cranks' demonstrated
the Colonel. Nobody ever gets along
ef they low themselves to be skeered.'
Fact chimed in the smallest and
thinnest man in the party. The Bible
says somethin' mighty hot bout that.
l disremember dzactly how it goes, but
I've hern Parson Buzzy, down to Maine,
preach ripplin' old sermon many a
time. The old man never thort what
a comfort them sermons wuz agoing to
be to road agent, though. That time
we stopped Slim Mixes stage, and he
didn't have no more manners than to
draw on me, them sermons wuz a per-
feet blessing to me-the thorns of 'em
cleaned my head as qnick as cocktail.
An
Il don't want to dispute Logroller's
pious strain interrupted the-ColOnel,
but ez it's Old Black that's arrivin' to-
day instead of Slim Mike, an ez it's
Old Black alters makes his time, hedn't
we better vamoosep'
The door of the shanty was hastily
closed, and the men filed through the
thicket until near the road, when they
marched rapidly on in parallel lines
with it. After about half an hour
Perkins, who was leading, halted, and
wiped his perspiring brow with his
shirt sleeve.
Fur enough from home now,' said
he.
'Taint no use bein' a gentleman if
yer have to work too hard
Safe enough, 1 reckon replied the
Colonel. We'll do the usual; I'll halt
'em; Logroller, tend to the driver;
Cranks. take the boot, and Mack and
Perk, take right and left. An 1 know
it's tough-but considerin' how ever
lastin' eterna. hard up we are, 1 reckon
we'll have to ask contributions from
the ladies, too, eff there's any aboard
eh, boysY
Reckon So, replied Logroller, with
a chuckle that seemed to inspire even
his black domino with merry wrinkle
or two. What's the use of women's
rights eff they don't have chance of
exercis'n 'em. Hevin' their purses bor-
rOwed 'ud show 'em the full doctrine
in a bran new light
Come, come. boys interposed the
Colonel, thar's the crack of Old Blacks
whip; pick yer bush-quick! All jump
when l whistler
Each man secreted himself near the
roadside. The stage came swinging
along handsomely; those inside were
laughing heartily at something, and
Old Black was just giving a delicate
touch to the flank of the off leader
when the Colonel gave a shrill, quick
whistle, and five men sprang into the
road.
The horses stopped as suddenly as if
it were matter of common occurrence.
Old Black dropped the reins, crossed
his legs and stared into the sky, and
the passengers all put out their heads
with a rapidity equalled only by that
with which they withdrew them as they
saw the dominos and revolyers of the
road agents.
Seems to be something the matter,
gentlemen said the Colonel blandly, as
he opened the door. Wont 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 gotta handkerchief ,hev
yer2' asked he of the first passenger
who decended from the stage. "Hev ?
Well, now, that's lucky. Just put yer
hands behind yer-so-that's it. And
the unfortunate mans hands were Sc
curely tied behind in an instant.
Theremaining passengers were treat
ed with similar courtesy, and the Colo
mel and his friends examined the pock-
cts of the captives. Old Black remain
ed unmolested, for who ever heard of
a stage driver having money!"
Boys said the Colonel, calling his
brother agents aside and comparing re.
ceipts, faint much of haul; but
there's only one woman, and she's old
enough to be a feller's grandmother