The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-02-01
ENRIQUE.

Enrique was the child of some Span
ish, or, moro properly, Spanish-Amer-
ican, people who had been friends Of
Mr.. French, and who, when they died,
had left their little boy to his care.
Both his wife and he had taken a
strong fancy TO the pretty orphan, and
had finally adopted him.
" The summer--the dry season-of
California was just beginning, En-
rique was little tagged with his
studies, and it had been deemed advis-
able to send him to the coast to re-
cruit. Pescadero had been selected rs
at once healthful, and possessing the
proper attractions for the little fellow,
and the time had come for him to be
made ready. But just as everything
else had been arranged, his board en-
gagged at the house Of a fatherly ranch
ero, even his little trunk brought
down from the atsic-when, in short,
all things were ready to be got ready
what should occur but a startling
stage coach robbery7
When Enrique got out upon the
platform at Redwood, there was tall,
spare man with face heavily bearded
and much sunburned, ready to show
the passengers to the stage. This per
sonage proved to be the driver him
self, and Enrique looked with deep re-
spect at his tall, strong figure as he
moved about directing how things
should go, and nodding his head au-
thoritatively.
At last everything seemed to be Or
ranged; Enrique and three of the
other passengers-an women-had
been disposed ,of inside, stout old
gentleman and 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 the signal to
the horses. Away they went ut great
pace.
First they cradled and bounced along
the streets OF the little town, then pro
ceeded moro slowly across the black,
weed that extends to the beginning of
the foot hills; and at last, moro mod
erately still, up the hills themselves.
Now it was very uncomfortable, for
q while. The sun poured down, the
dust rose up, and no refreshing breeze
found its way into the deep cut road.
The poor horses clambered and sweated
=rEmfuE---YYUeu s-YYUeu m fffffs gt66I' Inan outsfd5
put up his umbrella and grumbled.
The passengers with Enrique COM
planned and "Oh-deared."
At last they reached the little ham,
let of Searsville, and here the driver
stopped the horses. They were glad
enough, poor brutes, for the moments
rest, and gladder still when water was
brought and they were allowed to
plunge their heads up to the very eyes
in its GOODNESS.
Then forward again, and presently
the way became more agreeable. The
road wound about more exposed places,
little putfs Of air reached them, and
now they rolled down into little dells
where the cool trees almost met over
head.
II hearn this mornin' how the driver
was goin' to carry three or four guns
with him, after this" said ono of the
women, who sat by Enrique. II didn't
see nothin' of en-" she continued,
.''when I got in, but I s'pose he must
have hid 'em round somewheres.
Can't be he would tempt Providence
not to take. e..ieefF sefa aamuIner woman, ''I hope
to mercy he hain't took 'em. What
teh foad agents7 TIM sure. for nv
part, should go for all hams bein'
Jest as submissive as they could, s'pos'n'
the agents did come"
"And I think with you," said the
third passenger, lady like, rather
pretty young woman, somewhat bet
ter dressed than the others. "We could
DO nothing to resist a gang of men
fully armed and determined. am
sure, for my part, only came today
because thought it would be an un-
usually safe time. Lightning rarely
strikes twice in tho same place"
That's what father said, " here spoke
up Enrique. He judged it fitting
time to say word, and was heartily
tired Of keeping still. "He thought
the robbers would keep away from this
stage for q while" he went on, "and
hide, maybe, for spell, like mice"
The bright, animated countenance
OF the boy, and especially his great,
dark, Spanish eyes, had been observed
by his fellow passengers for some time,
out his rather shy manner had pre-
vented their making any advances to-
ward acquaintance. They were glad
to hear his voice, and at once replied to
him. They had succeeded in finding
out most Of his brief history, and had
learned that he was nearly 10 years
old, when they were interrupted by
the coach stopping.
The passengers all glanced out in
sone alarm, but were treasured by
discovering that it was merely pause
Tor way passenger. He seemed to
have come out Of a kind of gorge, and.
appeared to have come across from an,
other road. He was q short, stoutly
built naa, dressed in o gray business
suit, was smoothly shaven and wore
green spsctaclss. He appeared to be
about 4t or perhaps 30 years old. '".
u think ] will. ride inside, lie there
Ii room, "ho said, In a pleasant. rather
low pitched Yoise. :. AS he spoke he :.
came up.to the coach door. ~.
Plenty Of rooh, y sad the driver. /
He descended As bespoke and let in
the stranger. The others made room room
for him np0ynnfIy onI ba xuoc ooo,,