The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-10

- II Il . - ~ AZ l. LOs 1000
| dozen passengers slowed away, among whom
| was ayoung lady going to Nevada City to teach
| school. She was plucky as well rs handsome,
| and years as teacher in the mining districts of
| the west had given her a splendid knowledge
OF the ways and customs of the rough element
IN which she was living. The other passengers
were business men and spectators who had
come from the east to try their luck i'll the gold
dlggings The coach had Just reached the
center OF the open space when the moose of q
lasso flung from among the powders above his
head, settled over the shoulders and arms of
the drowsy guard, and i'll the twinkling of an
eye he was hauled from his seat and fell in
helpless heap in the road. AT the same time
deep voice from among the rocks ordered the
driver to stop and throw up his hands, which
he did without second 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 obeyed the command and were
soon in limo with their hands pointing heaven
ward, the driver heading the list" When
they were well in position "Back Bart" hold
ing 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 securely and then proceeded to re-
lleve the passengers of their money and valua-
bles, which he tossed into his big somblero
that he had thrown down by the side of the
road. In the pocket of a miner he found
pack OF playing cards and threw them with
the rest Of his booty into his hat. When he
had finished searching the passengers he said;
y on can put your hands down now gentle
men. 1t must be kinder awkward standin' in
that position. I'm sorry to put you to so much
trouble. but you see | had to have money, and
L 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
inconveniece," and he smiled alphabetically at
the young school teacher, who surprised her
fellow passengers by smiling back at the rob-
Der and saying, don't worry yourself, Bart, it
was no inconvenience at ALL
''You know me Miss?' inquired Bart
"Ive heard you described so often that l felt
pretty well acquainted with YOU" replied the
school teacher.
Bart seemed to be f1attered. 81 admire
your pluck" he said; most women faint
when they see me-
81 never saw man yet that I'd faint for
replied tho school mistress, to the horror of tho
other passengers, who were afraid that she
would anger the robber and he would shoot
them off one at time just for revenge. But
they We're stricken dumb with amazement
when she said "Il tell you what I'll do,
Bart, I'll bet you that can beat you
ONE HAND
at strd poker. If | don't you -cay kiss me If
do, you must let this coach and its passengers
go on unmolested. VIII you do ito"
moment, but he recovered himself and after
q hearty laugh said: ''Waal, miss, you beat
any woman ever came across before. ] never
kiss woman unless she's willin', but il you
/ Want 10 sake them chn ices III play Won, bull
reckon you're givin' me the best of Bargain"
| The school teacher intimated that she was
really anxious to play for those stakes and pre-
parations were made for the game. 1t was
agreed that the driver should deal the cards,
and : Bart" insisted on the eleven passengers
standing up before him in row twenty PAGES
away, so that he might detect any attempt at
treachery i'll time to thwart it. The school
teacher seated herself on q mail pouch that
Bart had dragged out of the coach for that
purpose and with his rifle resting across his
lap he settled himself on one knee a short dis
lance 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 of
clubs, while to the teacher came the seven spot
of diamonds. The highwayman next caught
the five spot of hearts and his face flushed and
he smiled confidently, for the first card he
caught was five spot and he now held pair.
The teacher drew the deuce of diamonds.
Bart" could hardly contain himself when the
next card that fell before him was the fivespot
of clubs. He now had three fives, and he was
sure the game was his. At the feet of the
teacher iell the four spot OF spades Her luck
was
INDEED wRETCHED,
but she did not seem the least discontented
when she looked over at "Bart's" pair of five
spots and then down to her seven spot high.
The last turn came and tho queen Of clubs fell
in front of "Bart," while the seven spot of
spades was the teachers winning. She had
pair of sevens in sight. "Bart" smiled. Pm
sorry your luck came so late" said he, "you
drew wellatlast but my three fives win the
kiss?' and he turned upsthe "hoe" card, dis
playing his trio of five spots.
you did well, Bart" replied the teacher
but your three fives don't beat my three sew
ems, and, picking up the "hoe" card she
showed him the seven spot Of clubs, which
gave her the winning hand. The smile faded
out OF tho highwayman's face, but when Inc
realized that he had been fairly beaten he
helped the young laday to her feet, smiled
pleasantly, and said:
Gentlemen, I've lost mighty big
stake. Come up here one at time and get
what belongs to you out Of that hat" Singly
the men came up and took their money and
jewelry. Their firearms "Bart" kept. "Bart"
ordered them to get into the coach, and he
handed the school teacher in as carefully rs
might deyotee of modern society. lie ordered
the driver to his seat, unbound the guard, and,
at his command the horses dashed up the trail,
and thirteen hours later the coach rolled into
Nevada City with its precious cargo intact
When the story of the school teachers pluck
was told the citizens of Nevada City presented
her with a handsome gold watch, and the
Wells-Fargo express company gave her check
lof $l,UOO Twelve months later
SHE MARRIED
the mayor Of the town. and she is still living
in Nevada City, where her husband carries ON
very successful banking business.
Gratitude.
From the Chicago Tribune.
"That dog, sir" said tho barkecper, with
emotion "saYed my life"
"HoWp'
"You remember when Grizzly Pete and Montana
Jim had that little scrap last gummerT
"Yesp
"Well, was standing right behind this counter
The dog bit me on the Leg stopped down 10 para
lyzo him. and bullet from Pete's pistol broke the
mirror right behind where had stood. II | had
been standing ny at the time 1t would have gone
through me"
at was q lucky bite"
''Ihats what II was. can feel II now though,
every time IT'S going TO rain, and It's gong 90 rain
IN less TING than tWeuty-fOur hours. darn hlIni"