The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-08

stream on one side and piles OF huSe
powders on the other.
A coach was crossing this space one
afternoon in August, q 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
whistling, 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 as handsome,
and four 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 pas
sengers were business men and spec Ila-
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
ders 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 seat and fell in help
less heap in the road. At the same time
deep voice from among the rocks Or
dered the driver to stop and throw up
his hands, which he did without Sec
ond invitation, and then the same voice
ordered the passengers, who had tegun
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 COM
mand and were soon in line with their
hands pointing heavenward, the driver
heading the Ilist." When they were
we'll in position "Back Bart" holding a
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 Sc
curely and then proceeded to relieve the
passengers of their money and valua-
bles, which he tossed into his big SOM
brero 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 fin
ished searching the passengers he said:
"You can put your hands down now,
gentlemen. it must be 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 a pretty good crowd to strike. I'm
kind of ashamed of myself to put such a
pretty woman as this lady is to so much
Inconvenience, and he smiled apologeti-
cally at the young school teacher, who
surprised her fellow passengers by smll-
ing back at the robber and saying,
"don't worry yourself, Bart, it was no
inconvenience at all"
"You know me Miss3" inquired Bart
'I've heard you described so often that
I felt pretty we'll acquainted with you,"
replied the school teacher.
Bart" seemed to be lattered 81 ad.
mire your pluck, he said; "most women
faint when they see me-"
II never saw man yet that I'd faint
for" replied the school mistress, to the
horror of the 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 were
stricken dumb with amazemcnt when she
said: sT'll tell you what I'll do, Bart,
III bet you that can beat you one hand
at stud poker. If don't you may kiss
me. If | do, you must let this coach and
it's passengers 60 unmolested. Will
you do it3'
The proposition seemed to stagger
Bart for a moment, but he recovered
himself and after a hearty laugh said:
"Waal, miss, you beat any woman
ever came across before. never kiss
woman unless she's willin', but if you
want to take them chances III! play you,
but l reckon you're givin' 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. 1t was agreed that the driver
should deal the cards, and Bart insisted
on the eleven passengers standing up be-
fore him in row twenty PAGES away, so
that he might detect any attempt at
treachery in 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 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
of clubs, while to the teacher came the
seven spot of diamonds. The high
wayman 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 par. The teacher drew the deuce
of diamonds. "Bart" could hardly con-
tain himself when the next card that
fell before him was the five spot of clubs.
lie now had three 6ves, and he was sure
the game was his. At the feet of the
teacher fell the four spot ofspades. Her
luck was indeed wretched, but she did
not seem in 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 the 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. "Parl" smiled. "I'm sorry your
luck came so late," said he, "you drew
we'll at last, but my three fves win the
kiss?" and he turned up the ''hole" card,
displaying his trio of five spots.
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