The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-01-20

prayln fer yer to turn up With the Ioan ar
somethin' with more color than spring wa
ter. Come on
The man lead the way and Tipsie and the
Colonel followed, and the trio suddenly
found themselves before log hut, in front
Of which sat three solemn, disconsolate indi-
viduals, who looked appealing to to the Col
onel.
"Mack'n tell you how it was, fellows"
said the Colonel meekly, ''whiie picket the
mare
The Colonel was absent bnt few min
utes, but when he returned each of the four
were armed with pistols and knives while
Mack was distributing some dominoes made
from a rather dirty -four sack.
Better be an hour ahead than amiss in
this 'ere night" said one of the four 'I amt
so thirsty since I came around the horn in
80 an we run out of water. Somebody'll
get hurt if there amt any bitters in the old
concern ; they will, or my name amt Per-
kins.''
Don't count yer chickens fore they are
hatched, Perky" said one of the crowd, ad-
justing the domino under the brim of hat.
"Sposin there should be too many on us %
"Stiddy. stiddy, Cranks % demonstrated
the Colonel,n Nobody ever gifts along if
they low themselves to be skeered."
"Fact," chimed in the smallest and thin
nest man in the party. "The Bible says su.
thin mighty hot 'boEt that. disrember ex-
actly how it goss, but I've heard Parson
Buzzh, down in Maine, preach a rippin' old
sermon many a time. The old man never
thOrt what comfort those sermons wuz a.
going to be to a road agent though. The
time we stopped Sam Mikes stage and he
didn't have sense enough than to draw on
me, them sermons wuZ perfect blessin' ter
me-the thorDs of 'em cleared my head soon
er than a cocktail An"
81 don't want to disturb LogrolIer's plus
strain, " Interrupted the Colonel, "but ez it's
Gid Black that's arrivin' to-day instead of
Sam Mike, and ez its Old Black alters makes
good time, hadn't we better vamoose
The door OF the shanty was hastily closed,
and the men filed through the thicSet until
near the road, when they marched rapidly
on in parallel lines with it, After about an
hour Perkins. who was leading, halted, ard
wiped his perspiring brow with his skirt
sleeve.
eur enouph from home now" said he.
"'Taint no bein' a gentleman if yer have
to work to hard
"Safe enough, replied the Colonel Gwen
do the usual; I'll halt 'em Logroller, tend
to the driver; Cranks, take the boot, and
Mark and Perk, take right and left and
know it's tough-but considerin' how ever
lastin' eternal hard up we are, reckon we
will have to ask contributions from the la
dies too, cf there's any aboard eh, boys ?''
Reckon So" replied Logroller, with
chuck'e that seemed to inspire his black
domino with a merry wrinkle OF two; what
is the use of woman's rights if they don't
ever havo a chance of exercis'n 'em havin'
their purses borrowed 'ud show them the
full doctrine in bran new light"
"Come, come, boys" interposed the Col
Onel, that's the crack of Old Blacks whip;
pick up your bush, quick and jump when I
whistle
Each man secreted himself by the road
side. The stage was swinging along hand
somely, those inside were laughing heartily
at something, and Old Black was Just giving
delicate touch to the flank of the off leader
when the Colonel gave a shrill sharp whis-
tie, and five men sprang ihtO the road.
The horses stopped as suddenly as if it
was matter of comman occurrence. Old
Black dropped the reins, crossed his legs
and stared into the sky, and the passen gers
put out their heads with rapIdity equaled
only by that with which they Withdrew them
as they saw the dominoes and revoIvers of
the road agents.
Seems to be something the matter gentle
men" said the Colonel blandly, as he open
ed the door. Wont you please get out l.?
Don't trouble yourself to draw cos nv friend
here's got his weapon cooked and his fingers
are nervous. Amt got handkerchief. hev
you ?' he asked of the first passenger that
descended from the stage Hev? Well.
now that's lucky. Just put yer hands be-
dind you so that's it." And the unfortu-
nate mans hands were securely tied behind
him in an instant.
The remaining passengers were treated
with similar courtesy, and the Colonel and
his friends examined the pockets of their
captives. Old Black remained unmolested.
for whoever heard of a stage driver having
any money.
Boys" said the Colonel, calling his broth.
er agents aside, and calling receipts, s'tain't
much of a haul, but there's only one old
woman, and she's old enough 20 be feIler's
grandmother -
Like enough she'll pan out more than all
the rest of the stage put together" growled
Cranks, carefully testing the thickness of a
case of a gold watch, "Just like the low Iiv-
deceitfulness of some folks to hire an old
to carry their money, so it'd go safer mabbe
what she's got amt nothin' to some folks
what's got good horses, an ken win some at
races, but"
The Colonel abruptly closod the conversa-
tion and approached the stage. He was
very chrtvalrous, but.Cranks sarcastic refer
ence to Tipsie needed avenging, and as he
could not consistently with business ar
rangements put an end to Cranks the only
lady would have to suffer
81 beg your pardon, MAN, said The Col
onel raising his hat with one hand while he
drew open the coach door with the other
'but we're taking up a collection for some
deserving objects. We wuz a goin to make
the gentlemen fork over the hull amount.
but ez they aint got enough we will have to
bother you.
The old lady trembled felt for her pocket
book, and raised heI veil The Colone!
looked into her face, slammed the stage door
and, sitting on the hub of the wheels. stared
vacantly into space. Nothing ?" oueried
Perkins in a whisper with face fun of gen.
uine sympathy.
''No-yes,"' said the Colonel. dreamiIv
THAT is, uutie 'em and let the stage 90
ahead" he continued, springing to bis feet