Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-02-21
A VNtlmizod kobber,

Thomas H. Reynolds Sec-
retary Of State, late County Clerk OF
San Francisco. political soothsayer. tam
ner, miner, agriculturist, q good part
ner in four handed game, practical
joker, and the only disciple Of Izaak
Walton who can't tell lie--had an ad-
venture yesterday. One man has been
found who was able to come up with
him, and the entire fraternity Of Sacra-
mento jokers will unite to-day to pre-
sent the chap with medal for his
achievement. He came up with him on
the road nine miles north of Auburn.
Reynolds was coming down on buck
board on which he had strapped fast q
lesthern valise containing thirty-six
ounces in gold dust, the partial product
of claim he had an interest in. In his
pockets he had gold and silver coin
amounting to $50. Itwas hot and dus-
ty, the horse was slow. the motion of
the blackboard soothing in its mono
tony, aud Reynolds went fast to sleep.
He was awakened by the sudden stop
ping of his vehicle, and the cold pres
sure Of the muzzle of a double barreled
shotgun just under his nose. At the
other end of the gun was man-mask-
ed. Throw up your hands"' cried tho
highwayman. Thomas elevated his
palms outward. Ante" was the next
order. 1t was the kind of English Rey-
nolds understood, but he had presence
of mind enough to remark that he
couldn't ante with both hands paving
the air.
SWELL, come down out O. that" .v,.
Thomas came down. Then began q
colloquy.
'Look here, mister" said Reynolds;
''you wouldn't rob a clergyman, would
you?'
mo. sir, not T." replied this Dick
Turpin. II was brought up right, and
wouldn't hurt preacher man."
"All right" said Reynolds; 'then I
can go.' And he started.
Hold on, friend; if you're q preach
er. prove it. Get right down here and
pray"
1t is related that Reynolds turned
pale, and, likewise, that it is the only
instance of any such change ever hav-
ing occurred in his cheeks. He hadn't
knelt since he was in short clothes; but
then. $50 and thirty-six ounces were
powerful incentives to be good for once
in his life. and down he went, but so
awkwardly that he toppled over in the
dust. The road agent poked him up
right with the butt of his gun.
'Now say the Lold's prayer"
Had he been commanded to recite a
summons in = replevin suit he would
not have hesitated.
Come, hurry up. You're a long
time unIinking your tongue"
Then Thomas began: Wont pray
er of my own do?"
"No, stree. want you to repeat the
one l know"
Thomas then stammeriugly began:
"From Grecnland's Icy mountains,
When can read my title clear"
"Hold on; that won't do"
MARY had little lam
Where Atrics sunny fountains
Roll down their golden stran.'
"That'll do. How much of that gold
en- stran' have You got about you?"
Reynolds produced ten American dol
lars; the agent called for more; quar-
ter eagle. and the fellow took aim at
Toms second diamond shirt stud. Rev.
noids iishcd double eagle out of his
right vest pocket; the robber put his
finger on the trigger, and then doubt
ing Thomas produced his watch, turn
ed his pockets, and throwing down all
he had, cried out:
Forever and ever, amcn-let me get
up out Of this"
'By gracious, you do know it; get tup.
guess Eve done you some good, any
how, and as you seem to be sort o. rus
ty in your prayers I'll take this for my
sarvices. Get up on that blackboard
and drive on, right quick"
Reynolds didn't wait second order,
but as he picked up the reins he
couldn't resist the temptation to have
the last word.
Say. you've got $50 oft of me; now
I'll bet you all there is in that valise
against the fifty that l can name the
next Governor"
"I don't want youl ..rty clothes; keep
your OH valise."
you're smart road agent, you are;
there's thirtysix ounces in gold in that
valise."
Look here. Tom Reynolds; maybe
you think don't know you: but | do,
and l wouldn't believe you if you said
that leather bag was filed with dia-
monds. You just go on and quit your
jokin'."
Reynolds, amazed that his fame had
penetrated even the Sierras, drove off,
saddened by the thought that even the
robbers in the hills wouldn't believe that
he could be Serious Sacramento REQ
ord Union.