New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-10-08

fumbled in vain for my weapon. II
had been in the pocket of my coat-in
the pocket next to the beautiful lady.
Here it is, came her sweet voice.
81 looked toward her, and to my utter
amazement and horror, there she stood,
between me and the coach door, with
my pistol, which she had skillfully ex-
tracted from my pocket, pointed straight
toward my heart.
Hand over the money! continued
the silvery voice, cor you are dead
man.
Here was terrible a sudden cure for
my foolish conceit.
/ understood all now.
The disguised man and the woman
were not strangers to each other; they
were probably husband and wife, part
ners in crime, belonging to the gang of
burglars which had lately infested many
parts of the State.
Between ..two tires,'' as it were, with
a pistol pointed at me on each side INV
retreat by way of the coach door cut off
Il will not deny that | was much
alarmed. For an instant it seemed as if
the courage which had expected would
support me under any circumstances,
was about to desert me-
BY a strong exertiOn of the will, how
ever, recovered my self-possession.
The money-the ten Thousand dollars
had been intrusted to my care it was
not mine, and l resolved that I would
not surrender it.
drew Arth my own wallet, which, as
have stated, was like the one contain
ing my uncle's cash.
Here" stammered, pretending to
be more terrified than really was,
sshere is the money!
1--WE will see about that said the
man. s'Keep him covered with the pis-
toll, while l look at this
He took the pocketbook from me, and
proceeded to examine it, while the
woman still kept the muzzle of the pis-
toll pointed towards me, with her finger
on the trigger.
"Now or never, I thought.
With one loud shout to the driver of
the vehicle for help, sprang upon the
man and clutched him with both hands
by the throat
| was strong and supple for my ago.
and my unexpected assault bore my adj
versary back upon the seat.
Instantly he pulled forth his pistol,
which he had put in his pocket before
opening the wallet, and felt the hard
muzzle pressed against my side.
Letting my left hand slide down from
his throat dashed my fist against the
weapon, which was discharged at the
same moment, the bullet passing
through the bottom of the stage.
.'Fire, Bess! Shoot him dead!' yelled
the burglar, as we fell upon the floor in
a desperate struggle.
But as had anticipated would be the
case, Bess lowered near us, afraid to
fire while we were so closely entwined
together lest she might hit her husband.
Striking at each other we still fought,
each yainly striving to get uppermost.
In he struggle the white whiskers
and hair of the villain came off, reveal
ing to my gaze the strongly marked
face of middle-aged man, who re-
cognized as person who had come into
my uncle's store few days before and
made some tritling purchases. I had
afterwards seen this same person, who
was a stranger, conversing with our
servant in the street. The fact had not
excited my suspicious at the time. as
strangers often came to our store to buy
our goods. Now, however, felt sure
that this man had contrived to CLEAN
from the servant enough information
about my relatives pecuniary affairs to
comprehend that there was certain
large sum of money in our house, and
that my uncle intended to send it to 4
bank.
The rest was plain enough. The ras-
cal had evidently seen me leave the
house on my journey, had suspected
the cause, and had tracked me with the
intention of robbing me-
For some minutes it was hard to tell
which of us would get the best of the
struggle there on the floor of the stage.
At last, by quick movement, con-
trived to get uppermost, and to again
fasten both hands on the burglars
throat.
..Quick, Bess." he gasped, in sti-
fling voice, for was choking him.
The woman drew nearer, and now,
having a good chance to shoot me, she
pointed the pistol straight at my temple.
/ closed my eyes, with shudder, and
prepared for death.
believed my time was come.
But, just then there was shout, fol-
lowed by a shrek from the robbers
wife, and, opening my eyes, I per-
ceived that the stage-driver had entered
just in time to snatch the pistol from her
grasp just as she was about to fire.
Let him up, sir; we have him fast
%1,n rl,.s,v I
pointed the pistol at the burglar.
released my hold of the PROSTATE
man.
'.Run, Bess, run for your lifer' he
gasped, as he staggered to his feet.
The woman sprang through the open
door of the coach, and made off.
''We'd better tie up this fellow for
safe keeping" said the driver. eff
you'll keep the pistol pointed at him,
I've some pieces Of rope here, which
We'll find handy now. -
took the pistol, and covered tho out
law with the muzzle, while the driver,
from under corner of the seat, pulled
forth some stout pieces of rope, which he
stated he always kept there, to use in
case of any mishap to the coach.
Perceiving that resistance was useless,
the burglar permitted himself to be
bound.
There, now, we have him safe and
sound, said the driver. IF you'll
keep guard over him while I drive on
toward Harrisburg, We lsoon have himA
in limbo. ~
II ,o,.1;o11r, %h.nLorR14l., e.. -: