Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-11-22
THE REWARD OF MERIT.
Robbed by Highwayman In the
Mammoth Cave.

ed my attention, and he might not
have done so had he not introduced
himself, borrowed cigar, offered me
a sip Of his cough medicine and other
wise exhibited his desire TO be friend
ly. When he finally got seated for an
interchange OF views he claimed to be
Col. Henry Blanchard. late of Ten
nessee regiment. That is, he was
about twenty-five years late, having
coloneled the regiment during the last
years OF the war i think he also told
me which side he fought on, and that
he was an awful fighter, but just at
that time l was wondering about the
cave and | didn't put down the fig
ures.
do remember however, that the
colonel told me that he was a million
aire. and i furthur remember that l
managed to convey the impression
that had about three millions at my
disposal. Experience has taught me
that IL is better to lie about those
things-to out-lie the other party.
When a stranger has informed you
| that he can draw his check for cool
million, and you have replied that
you'd be glad if you could draw one
for $25, the inevitable result is cool
ness which soon drifts you to opposite
sides of the pasture OF life. l there
fore make it rule to let the other man
fix his figures to suit himself and
then l double them.
The colonel next informed me that
he had arrived on the grounds with
Il II IL .,..1
that the cave was for sale at a ridicu-
lousy low figure. The owner of it
had got the idea that mammoth caves
were going out OF style and would soon
be drug in the market, and would
therefore sell out for trifle-some-
thing like $4,000. Was looking for
an investment on which | could double
my money in thirty days I was.
Would | take half OF it? | would. If
it had been "A farm or vineyard or u
yoke of cattle l might have hesitated,
but one never runs any risk in buying
a cave. 1t is right there. 1t stands
in any climate. 1t is always healthy
and productive. II it should fail as a
cave, owing 10 some change of public
sentiment, one can turn it into cold
storage, state prison or pirates
lair and reap fair interest on the CAPT
tai.
1t was agreed that we should walk
over TO the cave the next day, and 1t
was further agreed that we keep the
matter as still as death. There were
other millionaires there and they
might catch on. We were to set out
at a. IN. so as to go slow apd look for
other caves on the road. Before set
ting out l gave the landlord my watch
snd all my money but a dollar, and
when ready to 60 | stepped off as light
infantry. The colonel was awaiting
me down stairs, and under his direc-
tiocs l slipped quickly away in one di-
rection, while he took another and
soon joined me.
We've got to work this thing nigh
ty easy" he explained. Chances to
make million dollars don't grow on
every bush, and if the fact that this
cave is for sale was known in Louis
vile cpecial train of millionaires
would be out here tonight"
/ agreed with him, and we took to
the fields and made short cuts. We
had gone two-thirds of the distance
and were passing over a wooded ridge
and chatting as friendly as two emper,
ors, when heard click click be-
hind me and the colonel sang out
HALT Throw up your hands
What's the matter, colonel
snakes ?''
IF you don't do exactly as | order ]
will blow your head off, he replied.
But what's the order Pr
Shell out | want everything
you've got -
"Is this a put-up job ?"
at is.
And you are not Col, Henry
Blanchard, late colonel OF late Ten
nessee regiment in the late WARP
Not any! Shell -
Would you rob an orphan Of his
all P" / asked, hoping to reduce his
heart to a liquid state and then outrur
him.
Il would, and don't you bother m,
too long,
Then l began to she'll. / shelled
out silver dollar and laid it on arock
Then | shelled out cigar Sc, TIVE
quill toothpicl1s, mitch safe, a cigar
pocket knife, and phial of pepper
mint essence which | used for tooth.
ache.
Come down. he yelled as | stood
and looked at him.
Il have.
Il want your money ~
, There it is. I've got S23 and {
: railroad ticket TO Detroit at the hotel
but you'll have to wait until we return
there.
where's your watch ?''
''At the hotel"
you miserable, poverty-stricler
wretch, but you lied to me about YOU
} millions ~ he shouted.
, But you lied first"
, Turn your pockets wrong side out!
: | complied and he saw their empti
, ness.
, That's regular Yankee trick" h,
! growled rs he tried to hide his cha
; grin. IF it wasn't for the trouble o
: hiding your carcass I'd shoot you
Now. then, do as | tell you ~
with pleasure.
$50 straight toward those trees, anC
! don't you stop until you reach them
II you look back I'll shoot you"
g IL picked up everything but th'
; dollar, wished him good day and Sc
!, out. and after reaching the trees