New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-12-19
"A Polite HighWayman.

I clambered from the top of the
stage at Arlington, that being the
nearest point to my uncle's farm.
mad never been there, but upon in
quiring at the inn it's locality was
definitely fixed in my mind.
LII lay three miles to the n orthward
and was to be reached by a road
which, though smooth, was desper-
ately lonely, and especially SO when
x1raversed at night.
lit was an evening in June the air
was balmy, and the stars were shin
ing brightly.
l left the inn with my grip-sack in
one hand and light stick in the
eCther-a stick long enough to serve
me for a cane and yet of no use to
me as a cudgel.
/ found the road as described
smooth, torturous, and secluded and,
laid out, as many country roads are,
with the design of reaching a cross
hFoad here Or mile site there, and
sappropriating as little tillable land
as possible.
l. did not mind the loneliness of the
sToad, for was no coward, and was
0usy conjecturing how my uncle
would receive me. I was suddenly
sgtartled by seeing man step from
the bushes directly in front Of me.
Your purse, please" he said.
1t wasn't the stereotyped foot-pad
challenge, but it answered the pur-
pose. The fellow had a boyish look,
aRd was SO inferior to myself in mus
: Gle that my first impulse was to seize
nina and fling him over the ledge.
was deferred, however, by the re-
xolver that covered me so suggestive
ay, and by the black eyes which
CLEANED upon me from behind the
Grape mask. The latter was a half
mask, and did not cover the lips,
vehich were full, flexible, and bright
red in color.
s'Look here" Isaid, "that's rather
81 bold demand, and"
'slt was graciously made" inter
Fqpted he. sit is useless to e1postu-
aate. [ am dreadfully in earnest"
His voice was low, sweet, and re-
Emarkably distinct. An odor of Jock
ey-club reached me and Ihad to vote
alim q snob, and that made my hui
TS,1iliation all the more keen. But,
without any more ado, I handed out
FAY wallet which was grasped with
eeagerness. .....
Here is my watch" said, as lex
tended my handsome gold repeater
i didn't ask you for that" the
'&oot-pad said.
He hurriedly satisfied himself that
my wallet was well-flled, yet at the
same time kept one eye on me and
held his pistol in readiness. For
scarcely a second he turned his pro-
,Gtle to me, and | saw, in the sUar-
light, that the lope of the ear nearest
so me was punctured
I'm obliged to you," he said, as
me backed off the road into the
7btishes, his face toward me.
sob, don't mention it," [ sarcas-
lcly replied. I'm too polite to chat
fer with a lady"
"A lady," he repeated with mock
ing laugh.
"a woman, at least" I rejoined,
otherwise | would not have allowed
a1yEelf to be plundered so tamely.
Your voice, your lips, your form,
,and the perfume of your hair give
you away, to use aslang expression.
You removed your earrings, to be
sure, but you conld not remove the
qrifices from which they dangled.'
s You are evidently man of keen
discernment," he tauntingly said,
then disappeared in a flash.
II was right" | thought. IT have
had quite an adventure, and it shall
mot end here il lean prevent it.
Lit was 9 o'clock when Preached nv.
Encle's farm. We had not met for
years, but when announced myself
.2le gave me a hearty welcome.
Hound him a pleasant, intelligent,
Iberal-minded man. When / told
inim of my adventure he seemed con-
siderablv surprised, and hooted at
my conclusions as to the sex of the
frobber.
Thenextmorning Itook stroll over
the extensive farm. and when return
cd TO the house heard a female voice
znthe library. ttWasalow, sweet, dis
tinct voice, and ! was puzzled to
T5o know why it sounded SO familiar.
A moment later it came to me in q
voice that startled me. My Uncle's
visitor was the foot-pad of the night
Before! I stepped into the room,
Fwhereupon my Uncle rose and said.
Miss Brandon, this is my nephew,
Alfred Denham. =
bowed blandly, then took a seat
and joined in the desultory conversa-
yfion.
The young girl was handsome,