The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-03-28
MIR. sIMPKINGroN MASH.
CHAPTER I.

am going to relate story which will doubtless strike you as being highly improbable. Yes, you may go farther and say, "T don't believe it," but re- member that some of the most irnprob- able stories are true, while some of the most probable ones are false. My name -I am sometimes almost ashamed of it -is Simpkington Mash. don't know why the interested people who met in council shortly after my earthly advent should have settled upon such name. Away back in our family, there was said to be a streak of insanity, and have sometimes thought that my father must have had touch of the malady when he said that my name should be Simpking- ton.
 Shortly after attaining mans estate, the only estate to which could possibly fail heir, set out from the New York village where had been reared, determined to shove my way into the far west, and if possible live down the cognomical odium which had been thrust upon me, but after leaving the old home, and when in my fancy could see the dear faces which might never again behold, felt that to change my name would be steal ing an occasion to cast slur on my venerable father; so, continued to pro- ceed under the heavy weight of Simp- kington.
 Hearing that Arkansaw, then a very young state, held out many inducements to the young and active, turned my face toward the land of promise. After many incidents of trifing experience, the stage coach in which had engaged passage, crossed the boundary line between Ar kausaw and Missouri. A little town known as Foxtail, was the destination of the conveyance, and as this place was said to be place with future, decided to throw my energies into the boiling pot of its prospects. There were, besides myself, three passengers in the stage coach-old man Grayson, who evidently had much money, young man Sylvester who evidently wanted much money and = Miss Patsey Gregg, an old maid who would have evidently accepted, upon shortest notice, proposition of marriage.
 Night, starless and blustery came, with the howl of the wolf and the hoot of the owl. We were only ten miles distant from Foxtail.
 "l wish we had got there before night" said old man Grayson. "l don't like the idea of pumping along here in the dark"
 Is there any danger of falling off precipice ?" asked.
 "Not so much that as running onto robber."
 Miss Gregg screamed and clutched young Sylvester's arm. knew she did, for she clutched mine at the same time; and, Sylvester being a better looking man than l was, it occur red to me that she must have paid him q similar, if not greater attention.
 "What did you say your name wasi" asked Sylvester, touching my shoulder.
 Itold him. Then, for time we rode along in silence, but felt that the rascal was laughing at me.
 Expect to make your home out here~ asked Grayson.
 "Yes, sir" replied.
 "Do you calculate to keep that first name with you all the time?" Sylvester asked.
 "Never mind about my name," said l. {" It was given me"
 "Oh, no one would for moment think that you had bought it," the old maid declared. "Oh, dear, mo-"
 Twas annoyed. don't care how re- gardless oi public opinion man may be, care not how complacent he may be during moments of great mental strain, but just make fun of the name which was given him in infancy and all his powers "throw of" and indifference desert him. Twas about to show my annoyance by a remark "with intent to cut" when the coach stopped. Before any one could demand the cause, the door was violently jerked open. One star, which seemed to have come out for the occasion, threw a silver of shine on pistol barrel.
 Don't be excited," said a pleasant but firm voice. Hand out your valu- ables just as quickly as you can. Tom" ," addressing some one outside, "you and Jack had better get in. This is slow paxsy.'