Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-06

The young lady who was at the end of the
line had watched the entire proceedings
with great GOODNESS and nerve, but now
realizing their purpose, she spoke for the
first time since the appearance of the high
waymen:
Gentlemen" she said, entreatingly, "it
is evident that you are going to use pow
der to blow open the safe, and my trunk,
which is on the deck OF the stage, will in
all probability be blown to pieces. 1t con-
tains all that | possess in the world, and
while Its destruction will not benefit you
in the least it will be an irreparable loss to
me. / beg of you to take it down."
Certainly, miss, with the greatest
pleasure" CALAMITY responded one of the
robbers, and putting down the can of
powder he climbed nimbly to the deck of
the stage, and, christening the trunk, slid
it carefully down over the boot, where it
was received by his companion, and de-
posted on the ground out of danger from
the explosion. As he did this, the young
lady, who was anxiously watching the
proceeding obtained fieeting glimpse of
the mans face. Then, as they resumed
their work the lock was soon charged, the
fuse lighted, and the two men quickly
withdrew to place Of safety, and awaited
developments. A minute passed and no
explosion occurred. One of the men, i'm
patient at the delay, approached the stage
and looked in, but quickly jumped back
There was sudden hiss, squirt of red
fire, and a loud report woke the slumber-
ing echoes of the hills.
Before the smoke had cleared away the
two robbers had returned to the coach,
and in few minutes the shattered treasure
box was relieved of its contents.
"All right, bovsw cried the leader,
"come on" and the passengers and their
guard started toward the coach, the latter
walking backward, with their leveled shot
guns covering the excited passengers, and
admonishing them not to be in too great a
hurry. When they had reached the coach
the two robbers who had blown open the
safe had already passed through the open
ing in the Enclosure, but one of them re-
turned and picked up the box which had
contained the powder and fuse, and then
being joined by the two who had been
| guarding the passengers, the whole party
turned their backs on the passengers and
quickly disappeared through the open gate
into the chaparral.
The stage at first appeared to be COM
pletely demolished. The top of the iron
box had been bent double and hurled
through the roof of the stage, fragments of
the lock were blown through the box and
floor of the coach, and the lining was
ripped off and the wood work of the stage
was badly shattered, but fortunately the
running gear was found to be uninj ured.
After the disappearance of the highway
,.aI h,,t y +.
the two drivers to hitch up the team and
replace the precious trunk. The passen-
gers resumed places in the dilapidated
vehicle, and without further mishap they
soon saw the twinkling lights of Grass
Valley. Conversation languished, how
ever, and Mr.. Ryan did not resume the
interrupted melody, and in fact he posi-
lively asserts that the tune of peggy in
the Low-backed Car" was carried away by
the highwaymen, with other more material
treasure, on that memorable evening, and
he has never since been able to strike it.
The remainder of the ride was made in
silence, and after reaching Grass Valley the
stage was driven to an address previously
given to the driver, and Miss Webber and
her rescued trunk deposited before the
door of comfortable looking cottage on
the outskirts of the town. A small, neat
dooryard was inclosed by picket fence
that cleaned white IN the lamplight that
streamed from door and windows, and this
unusual illumination gave evidence that
the arrival of their visitor was not unex-
pected. The lady of the house hastened
to meet her, and after giving her cordial
greeting directed the disposal of the trunk
and led the way in the house.
Miss Weber, while returning with easy
graciousness the kindness heaped upon her
by the inmates of the house, was evidently
disturbed by finding only the members of
this family awaiting her arrival, and finally
made inquiries of her hostess regarding
the non-appearance of the gentleman she
came there to meet A voluble explana-
ton followed, from which Miss Weber
learned that the party she expected had
been suddenly summoned short distance
into the country, but all was arranged and
his return expected at any moment After
partaking of an inviting repast at the sug-
gestion of her hostess Miss Weber re-
paired to her room and soon forgot, in the
agreeable occupation of the toilet, the
momentary feeling of distrust and disap-
pointment which she had experienced
upon learning of the absence of the person
she had reason to expect would meet her
upon her arrival.
By the time all travel stains had been
effaced and she had donned modest but
elegant dress, she knew by the demonstra-
tions about the house that another arrival
had taken place, and almost Immediately
her hostess appeared and glowing with
suppressed excitement, informed her that
now they only waited her appearance.
Though unprepared for such precipitate
course of action, she made no objection,
and taking final survey of her appear
ance followed the woman into an adjoining
room.
Two men, one of whom was evidently
clergyman, seated in the middle of the
room rose at her entrance and quietly
greeted her, while third, who had been
standing partly concealed in the shadow at
the further side of the room, stepped
quickly up to Miss Weber and with
brief glance at her face signed to the
clergyman, and with no other prelimina-
ries that gentleman opened his book, and
| at that moment a marriage service began.
The woman, who had not yet lifted her
eyes, started slightly when the man at her
side made the usual responses, and she
heard for the first time the tones of his
voice, but she made no effort to see his
partly-averted face. When the final words
had been spoken the groom, clasping her
hand closely, leaned toward her to impress
upon her lips the customary salute, and
as his face almost touched her own, the
light from a shaded lamp above them fell
full upon his features. At this first view
ofthe man to whom she was married every
vestige Of color fled from the face of the
woman. With an inarticulate cry of loath-
ing and horror she tore herself from his
grasp and fled from the room. The man
stood like one stunned for a moment, and
then as though attacked by sudden guilty
consciousness, he hurriedly left the house
| without any further attempt To see his