Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-03-09


half an hour there passed over the sam,
road an anxious looking individual witt
reined up in front of the principal sa
loon of each place, and inquired if the
Colonel had passed.
Had the gallant Colonel known that
he was followed and by whom, there
certainly would have been an extra elec
ton held at the latter place very shortly
after, for the pursuer was the constable
and for all officers of the law the ColOne
possessed hatred.
On galloping away the Colonel follow
ed the stage road, which threaded the
old mining camps on Dutch Greek, but
suddenly he turned out of the road and
urged his horse through the youngest
pines and bushes which grew thickly by
the road, while the constable rode on to
the next camp.
There seemed to be no path through
the thicket into which the Colonel had
turned, but Tipsie walked between the
trees and shrubs as if they were familiar
objects of her stable yard.
Suddenly voice from the bushes
shouted:
whats up?"
"Business-that's what"
"1t's time," replied the voice, and its
owner, a bearded six-footer, emerged
from the bushes and stroked Tipsie's
nose with the freedom of an old &C
quaintance. I'VE amt had nip siuce
last night, and there amt a cracker or
handful of flour in the Shant. The
old gal gone back on yer?"
YES" replied the Colonel ruefully !;
"lost every blasted race. 'Twasn't her
fault, bless her, she done her level best.
Everybody to home?"
You beJ," said the man. "All been
prayin' for yer to turn up with the
rocks an something 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 up
appealingly to the Colonel.
"Mackll tell you how twas, fellers,
said the Colonel meekly, "while picket
the mare"
The Colonel was absent but very
few moments, but when he returned
each of the four was attired in pistols
and knives, while Mack was distribut-
ing some dOminoes made from rather
dirty -four sack.
Better be an hour ahead than miss
in this ERE night" said one of the four, 1
amt been so thirsty since came round
the horn in 80, an we run short of wa
ter Somebody'll get hurt if there amt
any bitters in the old concern; they will,
or my name amt Perkins"
Don't count on your chickens fore
they're Matched, Perky" said one of the
crowd, as he adjusted the domino under
the rim of his hat. "Sposin' there sho'd
be too many of us?"
"Stiddy, stiddy. CranksW demonstrated
the Colonel. Nobody ever gets along
eff 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
dzactly how it goes, but
I've heard Parson BuZzy, down to
Maine, preach rippin' old sermon
many time. The old man never thOrt
what comfort them sermons was agoin'
to be to road agent, though. The time
we stopped Sam Mikes stage and he
didn't have no more manners than to
draw on me, them sermons was perfect
blessing to be-the thorns of 'em cleared
my head as quick as cocktail. An
81 don't want to disturb Logroller's
pious strain" interrupted the Colonel,
"but sz it's Old Black that's servin' to-
day, instead of Sam Mike, and ez Old
Black alters makes his time, hadn't we
better vamoose ?"
The door of the shanty was hastily
closed, and the men filed through the
thicket until near the road, when they
rapidly on in parallel lines
with it, After about half an hour Per
kins, who was leading, halted, and wiped
his perspiring brow with his shirt
sleeve" -
"Fur enough from home now," said
he" n4 ra5
"Tain't no use being gentleman if
yer have to work too hard"
7"Safe enough, | reckon" replied the
Colonel. we'll do the usual; I'll halt |
EN-, Logroller, tend to the driver;
Cranks, take the boot and Mack and |
Perk, take the left. An l know its
considerln' how everlastin' |
eternal hard up we are, reckon we'll |
have to ask contributions from the Ia |
dies. too, ef there's any aboard; eh,
boys?"
"Reckon So" replied Logroller, with
q chuckle that seemed to inspire even |
his black domino with merry wrinkle
DR. two; what's the uae of women's
rights eff they don't ever have a chance
,f exercisin' 'em, their purses borrowed
nd show 'em the full doctrine in a bran
lew light"
Come, come, boys" interposed the
Colonel, "thar's the crack of Old Blacks
whip; pick up yer bOsh, quick. And
ump when whistle"
Each man secreted himself by the
'oadside. The stage was swinging along
/; those inside were laughing
heartily at something. and Old Black
vas just giving delicate touch to the
lank of the off leader, when the Colonel
rave a shrill, quick whistle, and five men
prang into the road.
The horse stopped as suddenly as if
t were a matter of common occurrence.
Did Black dropped the reins, crossed his
egs and stared into the sky, and the
passengers all put out their heads with
rapidity equaled only by that with
which they withdrew them as they saw
he dominOes and revolvers of the road
gents.
"Seems to be something the matter,
said the Colonel, blandly,
IS he opened the door. "Won't you
,lease get out? Don't trouble yourself
o draw, cos my friend here's got his
Weapon cooked an his ungsr's rather
lervous. Amt got a handkerchief, hev
-ezp" he asked of the first passenger
Who descended from the stage. "Hev?
Veil, now, that's lucky. Just put your
lands behind yer so; that's it" And
he unfortunate mans hands were Sc
urely tied behind him in an instant.
The remaining passengers were treat
d with similar courtesy and the Colonel
nd his fria., do In nd thu IA.nni-ato Of