Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-11-28
THE REWARD OF MERIT.
Robbed by a Hlghwayman In the
Mammoth Cave.

|
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. 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 million
aire, and l furthur remember that |
managed to convey the impression
that had about three millions at my
disposal. Experience has taught me
that it is better TO lie about those
things out-lie the other party
When 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. 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
speculation in view. He had heard
M ha "a, Il ut a.
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 IL tri1e-some-
thing like $4,000. Was looking for
an investment on which could double
my money in thirty days / was.
Would | take half of it | would. If
it had been farm or vineyard or "a
yoke OF cattle might have hositated,
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
cave, owing to some change of public
sentiment, one can turn it into a cold
storage, a 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 it
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 5 a. IN. so as TO go slow and look for
other caves on the road. Before set
ting out gave the landlord my watch
snd all my money but dollar, and
when ready to GO | 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 10
make a million dollars don't grow on
every bush, and il the fact that this
cave is for sale was known in Louis
vile n special 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 wooded ridge
and chatting as friendly as two emper-
ors, when l heard click click be-
hind me and the colonel sang out:
Halt Throw up your hands
whats the matter, colonel
snakes pn
"If you don't do exactly as / order /
will blow your head off," he replied.
"But what's the order ?"
"Shell out | want everything
you've got ~
.sTc this n rut-up ioh pD
at is."
"And you are not Col, Henry
Blanchard, late colonel OF a late Ten
nessee regiment in the late WARP"
mot any Shell ~
would you rob an orphan of his
all ?" asked. hoping to reduce his
heart to liquid state and then outrun
him.
II would, and don't you bother me
too longr'
Then began to she'll. l shelled
out silver dollar and laid it on "a rock.
Then l shelled out cigar Sc, two
quill toothpicks, match safe, a cigar,
pocket knife and phial OF pepper
mint essence which l used for tooth
ache.
Come down. he yelled us stood
and looked at him.
Il have.
81 want your money !"
"There it is. I've got $23 and q
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-stricken
wretch, but you lied to me about your
, millions !" he shouted.
, "But you lied first"
, Turn your pockets wrong side out!'
, l complied and he saw their empti.
ness.
That's regular Yankee trick" he
growled as he tried to hide his cha
i grin. eff 1t wasn't for the trouble Of
hiding your carcass I'd shoot you
2 Now, then, do as l tell you ~
: with pleasure.
$50 straight toward those trees, and
don't you stop until you reach them
II you look back I'll shoot you"
. Il picked up everything but the