The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1884-03-20
my dear sir. - he exclaimed in danra

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which you-hem claim to have ac-.
quired through your own honest eff
forts"
Claim to have acquired ?n What
the duse do you mean by that?" blus-
tered M'Arthur as Ned and myself
glanced at the little man in some sur
prise, for it seemed to strike us stimuli
taneously that there was sort of con-
sclous significance in Mr.. Smith tones.
Yet twas, perhaps, a mistake as,
well as the fancy that M'Arthur's
bronzed face changed color never SO lit
tie, even as the other spoke.
Mr.. Smith shrank back into his cor
ner, as though terrified at the others
threatening manner
Indeed, meant nothing at all, my
dear friend, " he answered, in apparent
alarm ST -n
But his protestation was cut short by
the sudden and abrupt stoppage of the
stage, and a terrified yell from the
Krowboy who drove.
Almost at the same moment a man
sprang from either side of the road with
a leveled rifle.
The first one that stirs gets a ball
through his headl" said the taller of the
two, a heavily bearded fellow, the very
counterpart of the ruffian in border
play.
My own revolver was in the small va
ise which held Ned's, and my own
worldly goods. Even if / had carried
it on my person, it is more than likely
that with the muzzle of rifle staring
me full In the face, / should not have
attempted to use it.
Ned was unarmed. So ais it then ap-
peared, was the little colporteur. And
the valiant M'Arthur dropped on the
bottom of the coach with cry of terror
which was feebly echoed by Mr. Smith.
In obedience to a gruf command,
M'ArthuE handed his revolvers to the
smaller of the two road agents, who
seeming to be assured that no weapons
were worn by any others of the party,
caused us to alight. Ned and myself
submitted to be searched, with the
calmness of despair. We had about
one hundred and fifty sovereigns be-
tween us, and a bill of exchange on
bank In Cape Town, which the tall rob-
Der took from us, while his
companion, with cooked hat
and presented rife, did the in
timidating. M'Arthur alternately
raved and swore, as he was relieved Of
his belt. The little man wrung his
hands, and raised his voice in meek sup
plication, while his specialized eyes were
fixed, as though in a sort of fasination,
upon the ruffian who held the presented
rifle.
Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
you got about your" was the jocose
query.
And little Mr.. Smith piteous1y en-
treated that the muzzle of the loaded
rife be turned aside from his affrighted
face
1T might go off, he said, in tremu-
lous tones - and it makes me SO nerv-
Gus to have a deadly weapon pointed at
me. Do, please take it away!"
With hoarse laugh the road agent
tossed his rife into the hollow Of his
arm.
All right, my little mani" he said
carelessly. "Go ahead, Bill"
This. to his companion, who ap-
preached Smith for the purpose of
searching him.
Then was transformation scene in
deed. The small man Strengthened up
like lightning, and with quickness
which seemed almost Incredible, showing
his hands in the side pockets Of
linen coat he drew them out, with
cooked revolver in each.
Crack and the shorter ruffian stag
gered and fell, shot through the heart.
Crack! and his astounded companion,
with yell Of mingled pain and rage,
sprang for his rifle, which lay beside
him on the ground; but he was too late.
Before his fingers closed upon his
shining barrel he stumbled forward to
the earth with ball through his brain.
The whole affair was over in ten sec
onds. Mr.. Smith repocketed his pis-.
tolls, and taking off his spectacles, re-
garded our astonished faces with benz
evolent smile.
Deadly weapons come handy some
times, after all, gentlemen" he re-
marked.
And / noticed curious change in his
voice and manner. So, too, did, NJ
Arthur, who stood for moment looking
at him with seeming perp1exity in the
midst Of his too evident stuperfection.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was of q
practical turn, began taking from the
capacious pockets of the taller of the
two outlaws the valuables and money of
which our little company had been
despoiled, at the eager suggestion of the
two diamond brokers, who had been lit
orally paralyzed with terror during the
entire scene through which we had
passed, both of them having been re-
heyed of large amounts.
Of course, they insisted upon receiv-
ing their own property first. Then
came ours. And, at the same time, from
a bit of wash-leather in the same pocket
rolled a diamond, of such peculiar shape
size, and colorfor it was one of those
rare gems, a perfect rose diamond that
both Ned and myself uttered simulta-
! neous cry of astonishment and delight.
as well we might, for it was our stolen
diamond!
You are in luck, gentlemen quiet
~ remarked Mr.. Smith, who had been
watching the whole procedure, while
M Arthur stood looking on with covet-
GUS eyes. I see that this is the stone
that you had stolen from Damp, some