Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-11-07
HOW A aoBBER WAS CAPTURED.

stage-coach rolled slowly along the road
between the little town OF st. Thomas AMI
q station OH the Pacific Railroad, IN one OF
our far western States. 1t WAS a thinly
settled part of the country, and the ROAD
ran chiefly through tracts OF unoroAen
woods, at the foot of 4 lonely range of
hills.
The coach was quite full, every seat be-
ing occupied; and in consequence there
was some expressions Of dissatisfaction
when sharp ''hello" ahead announced
another passenger.
The newcomer stood on the side of the
road-a tall, lank youth of sixteen or sew
enteen, with 4 freckled, good-humored
face, bright, quick, gray eyes, and an air
of alcrtness which seemed to announce
him as ready for any emergency. lie was
clad in a suit of coarse home-spun, wal
uut-dicd, and carried small bundle on
stick over his shoulder.
"Any room inside, gentlemcn?" cried
the driver, as lie pulled up his horses and
stopped down to look into the coach.
"Not an inch" answered the passcn-
gers simultaneously.
"Mebbe you might manage to make
room for just this ere lad. Hes slim and
can easily slip in" suggested the driver.
Cant do it; an eel couldn't slip in;
we're ovcr-crowded now," was the reply
from Il cross-looking gentleman with
red face and big gold watch chain.
The lad had stood silent, wistfullv eye
ing the coach and the passengers.
Couldn't l ride atop:" hc inquired
anXiously.
Couldn't do it, my lad. Them amt
passenger quarters, and we've too much
top-wcight already. I'm afearcd we can t
take you up"
'NNell, can tramp alongside, reckon"
he replied quietly. And lie shifted his
bundle to his right shoulder, and without
more words, set off with long, regular
strides, though with stoop of the shoul-
ders, which betrayed that he was already
weary.
"That lad has pluck, remarked tic old
gentleman with the watch chain, "and j
propose, gentlemen, that we make room
for him when we come to the gulch. We
won't mind little crowding, and lie
WON'T take much room
Encouraged by this promise Martin
trampcd along more cheerful than before.
Now and then he fol behind, but at the
rough places, where the coach was forced
to go at very slow pace, he would over
take it again. lie listened to the conver-
sation of the passengers and the driver,
and now and then answered some qucs-
tions addressed to himself. Thus the pas
sengers learned his name, that he was the
eldest son Of poor widow with large
family, and that as soon rs lie could find
work "out west" they would sell their
little farm in kentucky and join him,
where he thought they could do better
than in their present unpromising home.
The sun had set rs the stage-coach APP
preached what the driver announced the
"Murderer's Gulch." This was rough,
rocky declivity, descending into narrow
valley or gorge through which ran a shall
low stream.
"Why do you call this place so horrid
namc?" inquired an old lady of the
driver.
"BecauSe, marm, about ten years ago
some travellers were stopped here aud
robbed and murdered"
"Good gracious" said the old lady ner-
vously. 81 hope no such things happen
nowadays"
"Well, marin, they don't happen often,
only now and then; about once in while,
some desp'rit rascils will stop party, or
mcbbe stage-coach, and help 'emselves
to what they can get. But it's six months
since the last robbery on this road.'
"Law sakes :" gasped the old lady, and
she instantly insisted on giving up her
seat near the window, and take another
between two gentlemen. The passengers
quietly produced their pistols and exam
ined their priming.
"I'd like the rascals to show themselves
Tonight" said young man in All opal
scarf-pin, and fierce black moustache,
as he replaced his pistol with a confident
air. "They'd catch it-rather."
"We're going down the slope, now"
presently announced the driver. "It's
rough way, and mebbe some of you would
prefer to walk to the bottom. I've got TO
water the horses down here"
But nobody chose to leave the stage
coach. Only Martin Sherwood fell be-
hind, walking rather lamely now, for lis
feet were becoming tender with his thirty
mile tramp. lie sat down By the side Of
the road and bdtlied them III little rill,
which was irickling down to the stream
below. lie was in hurry for he knew it
wouldn't take long TO water the horses
and rest them little, before their toll
some ascent on the other side. lie heard
the slow and noisy progress OF the vehicle
down the rocky way, and the drivers en-
couragiug shouts and calls to the horses,
and there was a dead silence, on which
suddenly rang ont one word:
Stand ~