The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-02-09
ENRIQUE.
How He Helped Fight the Road
Agents.

"Well, for one reason" said Mr.. French
'because lightning doesn't often strils
twice in the same place.
''That might do for an argument abou
most other matters" returned his wife
"but not about robbing stages"
30, stuff! !" said the husband with the nj
or putting an end to the discussion. 'Wome,
are always scared to death. I'll risk En-
rique for trip from Redwood City to Pes
ca1ero, and l know you're willing to
Come, get the young gentleman ready; ",
must take that half-past seven"
Mr.. French was one of those go-ahead
sanguine men who are pretty sure to hav,
their own way, and who generally come ou
right by so doing. The matter that had beer
discussed at this time was that of pro.
Jected trip for their adopted son, Enrique
to the little town of Pescadero.
Enrique was the child of some Spanish,
or, more properly, Spanish American peo.
pie, who had been friends of Mr. French,
and who, when they died had left their lit
tie son TO his care. Both his wife and he
had taken strong fancy to the pretty or
phan, and had finally adopted him.
The summer-the dry season-of Caiifor-
mia was just beginning, Enrique was lit
tie tagged with his studies, aud il had been
deemed advisable to send him to the coast
TO recruit. Pescadero had been selected as
at once healthful, and possessing the proper
attractions for the little fellow, aud the time
had come for him to be made ready But
Just as every thing else had been arranged
his board engaged at the house of fatherly
rdncherO even his little trunk brought down
from the attic-wheu, in short, all things
were ready to be got ready-what should
occur but startling staRe-coach robbery.
Yes, the Redwood City mail-stage six
passengers aboard, and Wells -Fargos ex-
press box was stopped and plundered. Even
some comparatively valueess rings had
been taken from the passengers, and then
the harnesses had been cut and the horses
driven away, so that it was some time be-
fore any one could be summoned to the
rescue. This it was that had brought about
the discussion just given between Mr..
French and his wife. But the father had
thought it unlikely that the same stage
would be soon attacked again-and so had
gone on with his plans for little Enrique's
departure.
On the following morning. then, having
car lefully seen that his gun was strapped to
his other luggage, and that his jointed fish
ing rod had not been forgotten, Enrique
kissed his mother, and entered the hack to
be driven to the station. The Trenches live
in San Francisco, and Redwood City, where
Enrique was to take the stage, was about
tE!rty-five miles distant.
The ride to the train, and afterward that
il the cars, presented nothing eventful
When Enrique got out upon the platform at
Redwood there was tall spare man with
q face heavily bearded and much sunburned.
ready TO show the passengers TO the stage
This parsonage proved to be the driver him
self, aud Enrique looked with deep respect
a. his tall, strong figure as he moved about
how things should go. and nodding
his head authoritatively. This head, by the
by, was surmounted by an awe-inspiring hat
with a mighty brim, slightly inclined to-
ward one ear.
At last every thing seemed TO be arranged
Enrique and three of the other passengers
all women-had been disposed of inside,
a stout old gentleman and a tall young man
had been given seats upon the box and the
driver mounted TO his place. He received
the reins graciously from an assistant, pulled |
his gloves little better in place, and gave |
1he signal 70 the horses. Away they went |
at great pace.
First they Graded and bounced along the |
streets of the little town, then proceeded |
more slowly across the black, fiat. open |
covered with tarweed that extends |
TO the beginning of the foot hills; and at |
last, more moderately still, up the hills,
Now II was very uncomfortable, for |
awhile. The sun poured down, the dust rose
up, and no refreshing breeze found its way |
Into the deep-cut road. The poor horses
cambered and sweatcd and painted. The
stout man outside put up his umbrella and
The passengers with Enrique
and "O.deared."
AT last they reached the little hamlet of
5earsville, and here the driver stopped the
iorses. They were glad enough, poor
,rutes, for the moments rest, and gladder
Till when water was brought and they were
llowed TO plunge their heads up to the very
yes in its coolness.
Then forward again, and presently the
vay became more agreeable. Tho road
gound about more exposed places, little
uffs OF air reached them, and now they
oiled down into little dells where the cool
rees almost met overhead.
~ nearn this mornin' how the driver was
oin' TO carry three or four guns with him.
fter this" said one of the women, who sat
y Enrique. ~ didn't see nothin' OF 'em," I
he continued, "when / got In, but s'pose
o must hayo hid 'em round somewheros.