Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-05-19

more than on another it was the supe-
nority of his manners. He was known
as the polite American of Mexico, and
80, when addressed q simple request In
such courteous terms, he was fam to
comply.
He therefore alighted, and tried to do
so promptly, but his motions were not
SO graceful as usual; there seemed
tremulous excitement, almost stagger,
in his movements, when he looked
about him.
-Four men, armed with cutlasses,
rifles and revolvers, stood ready to re-
ceive him. The upper half of each face
was covered with black mask. They
were evidently natives, save one-whose
head, broader than the others at the
temples. and ruddy face below the
mask, ending in a thin, frouzly, tow
colored goatee, seemed to indicate an
Englishman. Mr.. Wood, noting him
carefully, thought he had seen him be-
fore, but failed in any attempt to place
him.
''Senor Wood" said the spokesman,
advancing, 81 am pleased to greet you,
and regret that you are not able to re-
ciprocate the cordial sentiments I enter
tain for you. I must say, Amiguillo,
you wear q charming hat, and such
things are SO common to you that I am
sure there will be no objection to an ex-
change. See what poor thing I wear,
and so unsuited to my years and posi-
ton in society! 1t fits well, too. And
also, Senior Wood, you are said to pos
sess an excellent watch; that, sir, would
be an extremely convenient article to
have in nay profession, that I may be
prompt in meeting the stage, and thus
avoid tiresome watching: will accept
it, with your permission.
Mr.. Wood was rapidly learning to
adapt himself to circumstances. He
knew he must submit to being stripped,
80, handing over the watch with. the best
grace possible, he said, with smile and
q bow, :'May I present you with a pis-
tol, as good as there is in the republic,
except your own?"
"Ah, senior, now you fstter me; I &C
cept it in your name, Amiguillo. And
also, senior, admire your coat; let us
exchange. Your trousers, too, will fit
me nicely, and your boots, even little
large, will be better than these. Have
the goodness to be seated on my old
coat, and We will assist you i'll removing
them; we are experienced Wallets"
To have observed the face of Mr.. Ed
gar Wood now, YOU would have thought
he was engaged in frolic. He used to
say, in telling this story, that he felt al
through the performance as if he were
being joked by friend.
"And now," continued the ladrone,
eve will trouble you, Senior Wood, to
pass out your valise, if you will be 80
obliging."
Mr.. Wood hesitated for the first time,
and looked around, but there was no
mercy; the muzzles Of three pieces
looked into his eyes, while he replied:
every well, gentlemen, if you insist. |"
He handed out the heavy valise, which
was taken aside by the Mexicans, while
the English-looking thief kept guard at
the stage door. When the precious
cargo was removed to short distance
from its owner, the sentinel muttered to
him in English: eff you give me 81, 900,
unseen, from your belt, you can have
the rest; otherwise, I'll fix every dollar
you've got"
Mr.. Wood felt sure he had somewhere
seen the face, of which the mouth and
chin were exposed, but if he suspected
the truth, he kept it to himself, and
quietly handed over the money to the
man.
In q few minutes the nearly empty
valise was returned, and the party babe
the traveller adieu, and wished him a
safe Journey. In his disagreeable fix he
could only ride till he met the return
stage and go with it to the capital, I'M
der the shelter Of shawl lent him by
sympathetic lady among the passengers,
with whom, at noon, he entered the
patio, from which he had so exultingly
sailed in the early morning. The idle
populace, as usual, rushed in with the
stage, and witnessed the discontinue of
the American, as he darted across the
pavement to the nearest entrance of the
hotel and made his way to his room.
When Mr.. Wood emerged therefrom,
he made his way to the English bank, to
deposit the papers saved in his belt, and
there encountered the second surprise of
the day. The teller who received and
credited him with the amount was the
counterpart of the English robber of the
morning; but he had no beard, nor
could Wood recall that he had ever seen
him adorned with that symptom of
manhood. It was impossible that he
should be ladrone-his position in the
bank, his easy, self possessed manner,
not brazen, but natural and innocent.
No, it was mistake.
The next day, there being several
Mexican merchants to start for Vera
Cruz, Mr.. Henry Yorke, of Wood & Co.,
was dispatched with them in the morn
ing stage. He went well armed, and
had the name of being a fighting man.
But as yet no crowd of Mexican passen-
gers had frightened a band of robbers
from its enterprise, and so, at sunrise,
Yorke discovered two small squads of
horsemen bearing down ON the stage
from opposite directions.
"There are six of Them" he said,
ssand we are nine men, with only one
woman. Are we to fight, gentlemen, or
n II w., er,rrop1or2o