The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-08
THE WIDOW OF SMITH.
From the San Francisco Argonant

that allowed il to swing with n motion
that is best described by saying II was di-
ngonal, though in fact 1t was not diagonal
nj all, One moment we found ourselves
sliding toward the foremost corner on the
left, as the wheel on that side dropped
heavily into some almost bottomless hole;
the next instant we would be flying with
pleasant unanimity through the rear win
dow on the right, and again, seeking 10
force an outlet through the roof or floor.
But the resultant OF these motions, put TO.
gether, added, and divided, is most nearly
described by the word diagonal and So
diagonal IL is.
All five OF the passengers were riding in
side, for il was a day in Noyombcr-cold
and cloudy, and light snow was spas
medically falling, MS II really uncertain
whether 10 stop or 20 on, but, on the
whole rather in favor of going on, IL being
q Characteristic OF western habits never 10
give up anything for any cause whatever
once il is begun. So, while a seat outside
Just at that time was better than no seat ut
all, II was by no means so desirable as a
seat inside.
On the coach was an express box, said 10
contain $4,000 in bullion, the product OF
the Greenwood mines. In the rack, near
the drivers feet hung two Colts revolv-
crs and Winchester rifle. The road was
considered safe enough, for no robbery had
occurred there since the camp had been in
existence, still the stage company preferred
. 10 take reasonable precautions. Hence
the weapons.
After We had exchanged our names and
such parts of our personal history rs we
felt free 90 give, we rclapscd into silence.
The westerncr, although socablc, IL not
laxative animal, he convcrscs in heats
For q time our quiet was unbrokCn save
by the grooming and crpakng OF the coach,
the cracking Of the drivers whip and his
rapidly uttered oaihs.
Perhaps Il is well that Justice can never
be- done in print--lo the profanity OF the
western mule driver. II is 0s impossible
10 describe ~ the singing OF some beautiful
aria 10y some sweet voiced singer. Not
that the two can be compared in any way;
j merely wished 10 illustrate the utter IN.
adequacy OF words in type TO represent the
sounds.
II was at the end Of one of Tommy's
hOwcry periods (which came 10 our rescue
when the coach, stuck fast ut the foot of
yerliablc hill Of difficulty, had at last been
dragged mp 10y the mules, inspired by the
outpourugl that the gentleman occupying
Wv ANNANl' sui ii'llI llNht TIC NlliNits
We knew him M Prof Blood. "the hull
owner Of the Backcye mine Of Greenwood.
aud several Others" II was al the close
N Tommy's oxhorlation, say, which bc.
gan softly and slowly, then gradually in
creased In volume, speed and power, until
the How was simply overwhelming, that
the professor remarked pleasantly
Tommy seems 10 swear tolably easy,
I'm thinkin'. lisa great gift. wonderful
what twill do sometimes. When was
atcamin Il up 10 Loadyillc, | would bet
willIn ] could cuss a dead mule up u six
hundUd-iuOi grade, with a bad aud all
by the paris o. speech It's Just like any
thin elise, though takes practice.
Those wcrr great days lac went on |
with retrospective sigh. great DAYS. We |
was gcttiu - and 30 cents a pound for |
slul, aud maxim slathcrs o. money: am |
losin' 10, too. ~ hO added with langl. n
'mcmlCr comm down over the divide one
night alone, with 5000 IN my pocket.
whom j a road agent held me up an
cleaned mc out | was pretty blamed
mad, hut had 10 ante"
I'd Ike Ia know" said the doctor. |
'how one OF two men can stop End rob a !
dozen all well armed II looks ~ II thcy 1
had no nerve. don't think ia stand I
The judge whistlcd softly at this re.
marx, the major smiled aud made pre-
wnce ol Niplng the window with his coat
sleeve ana looking out thc colonel eXpec
tor'cd mourn'ully. The professor alone
Wis calm.
"rarlncr," said he. looking the doctor
In the eye, AMI tapping him gently ON the
KNEE as hc spoke, was YOU ever held
upw ~
The doctor shook his heal.
u thought likely" said the proiesaor
significantly. Just lopk here; when YOU
arr stopped you ante quietly aud pcrlncly. |
It, runnin too much oi q risk 20 object.
II any man b. lookin' fur a chance Ia
cliinb TIE golden stairs, through harin' IT
hH buuum iUr his fellow creatures with.
Out COMPENSATION let him. II amt in
my line, ! IA pretty sun, an M | say II
ever you're held up YOU jest fork over
without any back talk-its really the
cheapest, aud long way the SAFEST
These sentiments seemed 10 meet with
universal approval irom the other occu.
pants ol the coach. aud the doctor quite
crushed 10y the weight IT opinion against
him, lallsrd into silence.
Alter this conversation became dcsul.
tory. Now and then a passenger would
volunteer remark, which sometimes
eiiriicd n rvply aud sometimes lid NOT.
Often, as the mad lcd up somr sicrp In.
cline " would gri ont and walk. 10 ~.
riufr, 10y cXcfCisr. the circulation IN our
bcnuuCd limls. TNicc IN, coach sinpped
ai relay stations, where ipash mules wcro
hancs,gl !n The place oi the iircd.out ami
mails The stations were nothing mop
Than rough log stables, with accommoda.
ton ipr thc men Who icl and cared Tor the
mules
The snow bad h,cn falling all the after.
noon in tine flakes. aud hal spread over
The earth a thin white cover that paftially
BID the roughncss oi the mountains and
whilcucd the light that came through Inc
clouds into which W. sometimes drove.
The ruad was bccuming very heavy and
our ptogrcfa slow, when. o. our p,liri the
coach, about 4 O'Clock. entered a small
PARK 81 few huulpi n,r,a aud uullrd nm
N huni ~ NaWIauu'sH twelve milrs fr,1
lfadvillc While fresh mules ven hoip,
harncsscd We alighicd, aud fi,pped mo
The nom That served ~ bar, office. parlor
and cading nom, ior Simpsons vas a
hotel as well as q relay station.
Tho establishment was owned and man.
aged by MI Sampson aud bis wife Alniry.
or, 10 put u in another way. Saupsons
and Sampson himself wcrr controlled Ly
Almiy. A modern n,lilah sbe wbo
when she married Sampson. hal. speaking
hgumiiycly, clipped bis locks ami III, him
deprived ot al ambition. T,crp Nns
Tuu0f current that g.......... - '