Milford chronicle., 1883-03-16

follow it, and begged us in the most pitt
full manner to get it for him. Consider
ing the trivial loss of the hat his anxiety
appeared most ridiculous. We finally
discovered it, caught in some bushes,
about ten feet below, and entirely be-
yond reach. Upon the professors offer
ing S25 for its recovery, the driver took
the reins from his horses. tied them to-
gether, and securing one end to a tree
and the other around his body, let him
self down, and presently appeared with
the hat, to the great joy of the
owner, who cheerfully paid the reward.
He then explained that he had been
boarding up two years salary in anGci-
patton of his summers excursion, aud as
we all seemed honest friends. he did not
mind owning that he had 81, 900 sewed
in the lining of~thc hat. Renewing our
journey, about midnight we reached the
summit of the Boston mountains, where
we changed horses and ate supper. The
stages going and returning usually met
in the valley about six miles beyond this
point, and not more than ten days pre-
vious to this time, both stages had been
waylaid and robbed, but the robbers had
been subsequently captured on the Iron
Mountain Railroad. We discussed the
incident and congratulated ourselves
that the band had been broken up, and
that we were in no danger of being called
upon to part with our yaluables Start
ing with fresh team, we ratified down
the long, rocky descent at a lively pace,
crossed the valley, and our team settled
down into a walk, as they began the
ascent on the other side. Suddenly from
behind a tree sprang an object that |
seized the reins of the horses, while |
from behind another appeared a m N
with a shotgun. Promptly at the word
Of command our hands went above our
heads. Advancing closer and keeping
us within range, he called out:
"Pitch down that mail and express,
and be quick about it. d"
The driver appeared par0lyzed with
lear, while 1 replied as coolly rs 1 could
mder the circumstances, as the fellow
vas very near, and the bore of his gun
ooked fearfully large;
eve have no treasure on board
At the same time I was swaying from
ide TO side to keep out of range.
"Does she look like couple of can
ION ?" said the fellow holding the
lorses, with an ugly grin.
eyes, " said I, recollecting an almanac
oke had read many years ago, 81 can
cad the advertisements on the wad-
ing"
"Come, no nonsense" growled the
ther; "kicl1 down the treasure or I'll !
rop you off o there.
As he would not allow me to use my
ands, 1 kicked out the mail-bags
nd other plunder in the boot. While s
e was examining the booty managed {
get out of my vest pocket a small roll i
bills, all I had, and again throwing up L
Y hand, succeeded in getting it down T
stween my neck and collar. The fellow, I
at not finding anything of Il
due, declared that We had valuables n
ncealed about us and ordered lis on IL
e ground. a
We all obeyed, and stood in a line W
th our hands still elevated, and the d
lain covered us with his gun while his W
rtner went through our pockets. From ei
e professor he secured a microscope W
d a pocket knife; from our passenger Sc
the boots, 20 cents and piece of to- OF
eco; while I, unfortunately, had only 81
-oothpick. o,
''You-set of paupers, exclaimed he 81
til the gun in disgust, you're hardly OF
,rth killing, so wen let you tramp into pl
yn as rich as when You first came into al
, world Pull off every rag you have su
and be quick about it or 1 may con- ca
de to waste a little powder and lead bl
you" OF
At this the man IN the checkered shirt nj
claimed: +,
'Ou duds won't be worth much to =.
Il, but if you will examine the lining r.
that gentleman's hat youth find some - -
ney." 80 80
The professor collared the fellow, but al
robber pulled him away, and taking
hat found the 81 GOO, which so
ased them that they graciously told
TO go where we wished. Indignant at &c
taitorous conduct of the renegade, "s
refused to let him ride with us, and as
IS left him. We renched Alma just On o
late for the train, and were obliged oi
lay over until the next day. Late iol ll
t evening, as the professor and were ilo
ing in the Office of the hotel, to our ne
prise in walked the fellow that had ga
ID 50 basely, looking none the better sa
his long tramp Coming toward us, w
begged us for heavens sake to give de
a few minutes in private room, as Ju
had something of great importance to COZ
lmuuicate. There was such an inn ls'
ssive earnestnoss in his manner that us
yielded a reluctant consent. We th'
II to my room and, after carefully COZ
ing the door, he sat down and drew an
a boot, out of which he took a false lac
!, and then produced long, thin s1i
kage wrapped in oil skin. M
Here, gentlemen" said he, "are five u
100 bills, and I have the same num- sP'
in the other boot. Had those =, y.
1ndrels carried out their intention of -
piping us, I would have been ruined.
w me to hand you $1,000 for the ha
,oo -. - lf..-.,l -. ~. Al. n