The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-08-25
THE WIDOW OF SMITH.


hpge, solid affair, resembling an immense
BOX. 1t rested on enormous leather
straps that allowed it to swing with a
motion that is 6es. described by saying it
was diagonal, though in fact it was not
dag onal at 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 window on the right,
ana again seeking to force an outlet
through the roof or floor. But the re.
sultant of these motions, put together,
added, and divided, is almost nearly des
cribed by the word diagonal, and so
diagonal it is.
All five OF the passengers were riding
inside, for il was a day in November
cold and cloudy, and light snow was
spasmodically falling, as ii really uncer
tain whether to stop or go on, but, on the
whole, rather in favor of going on, it be-
ing a characteristic of western habits
never to give up anything for any cause
whatever, once it is begun. So, while a
seat outside Just at that time was better
than no seat at all, it was by no means
so desirable as a seat inside.
The road we were to traverse led through
the mountains of Colorado, from the min
ing camp of Greenwood (though why
Greenwood, none can say-it was far
above timber line) to Leadville. 1t was
fairly good wheeling, as that word is
understood in the Rockies, but six stout
mules had all they could do TO manage
the coach. One moment they were
groaning and straining up some steep
incline; the next fairly lifted from their
feet as we dashed furiously down hill,
our spec. only partially checked by the
brake, which Tommy, the driver would
frantically apply.
Every one in the west has title of
some sort, no matter whether he has a
right to it or not, and the Ave in the
coach were known as the colonel, the
major, the Judge, the doctor and the pro-
fessor. 1t is surprising how soon one
becomes acquainted with his companions
in such place. Whether this is due to
the community OF sensations that govern
the passengers, as the vehicle lurches to
the righs or left, or the sociability of the
men themselves, cannot say. The fact
remains, however, and in less than half an
hour after We had started / was on famil-
lar terms with the past history, present
occupation, size of pile, and name OF
zach of my fellow travellers.
On the coach was an express box, said
to contain $4,000 in bullion, the product
of the Greenwood mines. In a rack neal
the drivers feet hung two Colts revolver;
and Winchester rifle. The road was
considered sase enough, for no robbery
had occurred there since the camp hac
been in existence, still the stage company
So 4nL hta anfr IN ma
Hence the weapons.
After we had exchanged our names ant
such parts of our personal history as W,
felt free to give, we relapsed into silence
The westerner, although a sociable animal
is not talkative animal; he oenverses IL
heats. For a time our quiet was un
broken, save by the groaning and creak
ing of the coach, the cracking of tn
drivers whip and his rapidly utteres
oaths.
Perhaps it is we'll that Justice can neve
he done - in print to the profanity o
the western mule driver. l. is as impos
sible to describe as the singing of som
beautiful aria by some sweet voiced sing
er. Not that the two can be pared II
any way; l. merely wish to illustrate th
utter inadequacy OF words in type to re
present tbs soundt.
1t was at the end of one of Tommy
howery periods, (which came to our rescu
when the coach stuck fast at the foot of
veritable hill of difficulty, had Mt las
been dragged up by tho mules, inspire
by the ouspouriag) that the gentlema
occupying the middle seat Qeft) brok
the ailence. We knew him rs Professo
Blood, ''the hull owner of the Black -ey
mine, of Greenwood, and several others.
It was At the close of Tommys exhortioI
say, which began slowly and softly, the
gradually increased in volume, speed an
power, until the flow was simply owe
whelming, that tho professor remarke
pleasantly:
"Tommy seems to swear talably cas-,
I'm thinkin'. It's great gift; wonderf'
what twill do sometimes. When WAS
tsamin' it up to Leadville, l would b'
willin' I could cuss dead mule up
q six hundred-foot grade, with load, al
by all the parts o. speech. It's just lib
anything else though-takes practiced.'
"Those we're great days though"
went on with n retrospective sigh, "grei
days. We was gettin' twenty and thir'
sents pound for stuff, and makil
slathefs o. money; an losin' ii too" !
added with u laugh. ~ member comi
down over the divide one night aion
with three thousand dollars in my pock;
when d--a road agent held me up a
cleaned me ont. l was pretty blame
mad, but had to ante"
"Id like to know" said the docto
show one or two men can stop and rob
dozen, all well armed. 1t looks as II ths
had no nerve. / don't think I'd star
it,"
The jrdge whistled softly at this
marked; the major smiled and made
pretense of wiping the window with b
coat sleeve and looking out, the colon
expectora' ed mournfully; the profess
alone was calm.
"Pardner," said he, looking the doct
in the eye and tapping him gently on u
kneee as ho spoke, 'was you ever nc
ups"
The doctor shook his head.
"Turrible bad place to be held up ioi
here" said the major, after an unusu
long silence, during which the coach h
slowly pounded over huge rock and tn
slid of with an unpleasant scrnnch.
n L L. So. NnA "a