The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-08-09

shOiN tht dUu tnt StTOnK UONcS were
sent out with only enc man beside the
driver to watch them. IL was generally
thought that one or more bullets of the
guards in the scrimmage nd taken fatal
effect. and that the bold highwayman
had dragged himself away TO die in
some OF his mountain retreats, northeast
OF Sacramento, on the cast side Of the
Sacramento river valley. Among the
foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains
Is deep canyon, at the head OF which a
mountain stream of modest proportions
tumbles over the edge o clilT or ledge,
making beautiful fall known as the
Mniden's Teas. Through this canyon
wound the Nevada City trail. and over
II once week ratified the heavy ma and
expire S coaches. Near the falls the trail
lay across q great open space with the
stream on one sdc and piles OF huge
bowldcis on tn. other
A coach was crossing this space one
afternoon in August, few months
subsequent to the wounding of Bart"
The guard on the seat by the driver was
doing and nodding in the heat of the
summer sun, while the driver was
struggling to keep his eyes open by
whist1ng, shouting and swapping leaves
from the trees with his long lash. In
side there were dozen passengers slowed
away, among whom was young lady
going to Nevada City to teach school.
she was plucky as well rs handsome,
and four years as teacher in the mining
districts of the West had givcn her
splendid knowledge of the ways
and customs of the rough element
In which she was living. The other pas.
scngcrs were business men and spec la
tors, who had come from the east TO
try their luck in the gold diggings.
The coach had just reached the
center OF the OPEN space when the moose
OF a lasso, flung from among the bowl.
dcrs above his head settled over the
shoulders and arms OF the drowsy guard,
and IN the twinkllng of an eye he was
hauled from his scat and fell in a help.
less heap in the road. At the same time
deep voice from among the rocks or
dcred the driver to stop aud throw mp
his hands, which he did without sec
ond invitation, and then the same voice
ordered the passengers. who had begun
TO stick their heads through the coach
doors to ascertain what was the trouble,
TO step down and out and hold up their
hands They hastily obeycd the com
mand and were soon in line with their
hands pointing hcavenwa d, the driver
heading the 'list,' When they were
well in position "Black Bart" holding
revolver in one hand and the lasso in
the other, stepped out from among the
rocks and came down To- where the coach
stood. He first bound the guard So.
curcly and then proceeded to relieve the
passengers OF their money and valua.
bcs, which he tossed into his biz SOM
brero that hc had thrown down by the
side of the road. In the pocket of
miner he found pack of playing cards
and threw them with the rest Of his
booty into his hat When he had fin.
ishcd searching the passengers he said.
"lou can put your hands down now,
gentlemen. 1t must he kinder awkward
standin' in that position. I'm sorry TO
put you 10 so much trouble but you see
had to have money, and thought this
was n pretty good crowd TO strike I'm
kind Of ashamed of myself to put such
pretty woman as this lady is to so much
Inconvenience, " and he smiled APOLOGIZE
cally ut the young school teacher, who
surprised her fellow passengers by smil
ing back at the robbcr and saying.
don't worry yourself, Bart, it was no
inconvenience al all"
"You know me Miss" inquired Bart
''rve heard you described so often that
| felt pretty well acquainted with you
replied the school teacher.
Bart seemed to be flattercd al ad.
mirc your pluck, he said; ''most women
faint when they see me"
Il never saw man yet that I'd faint
for replied the school mist css. to the
horror Of the other passengers, who were
afraid that she would anger the robber
and he would shoot them oil one at
time Just for revenge. But they were
stricken dumb with aml2cmcnt when she
said: "lll tell you what I'll do, Bart,
III bet you that can beat you one hand
n stud poker. II don't YOU may kiss
me. If ! do, you must let this coach aud
its passengers 20 unmolcsted. VIII
you do it,
The proposition seemed to sta.gcr
Bart for Il moment, but he recovered
himself and after hearty laugh said
"Naal, miss, you beat any woman |
ever came across before. never kiss a
woman unless she's willin', hut If YOU
want to take them chances I'll play you.
but ! reckon you're giyin me the best of
the bargain
The school teacher intimated that she
was really anxious TO play for those
stakes and preparations were made for
the game. II wa agreed that the driver
should deal the cards and Bart insisted
on the eleven passengers standing up be.
fore him in a row twenty PAGES away. so
that he might detect any attempt at
treachery in time TO thwlrt il. The
school teacher seated herself on a mail
pouch that Bart had dragged out of
the coach for that purpose, and with his
rifle resting across his Jap he settled
himself on one knee short distance
from her. Opposite them and between
the players and the line of passengers,
on the ground, sat the driver, who was
to deal the cards. Word was given TO
start the game and the driver threw the
first card, face down, to Bart The
next fell at the feet OF the school teacher.
Each player was now entitled to four
cards, face up, and Bart caught the ace