The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-07-11
A MATTER OF BUSINESS.
A Clam State Man Kills a Robber for
10 Per Cent Of the Savings,

A Clam State Man Kills a Robber for
10 Per Cent Of the Savings.
We were singing from Anton Chico
to SANTA Fe, and there were six pas.
sengers, all men. Every man was
armed. and one might safely Judge
that every one would fight il driven
to it. One of the passengers was q
man from Rhode Island, who said his
name was Hastings, and after we
were fairly started he began
"Gcntlcmen, l have n proposition
to make. Ii you accept it / hope it
will be to Your benefit. Ii yon do
not, then no harm has been done.
We are quite likely to meet with n
road agent before we get through.
lfso, how many of you will Gght?"
This was putting it pretty broad,
but seeing that no tisrespcct was
meant, one of the passengers looked
over the crowd and replied
81 think every man can be depend
cd on"
"ies, you think so, but when the
pinch comes, the case will be dit1cr
cnt. I've been through the mill. ana
Eve seen II man with two rcvolvcrs
go right down into his boots and
submit to he kicked"
what is your proposition??'
well, I'm about dead broke.
want to engage to defend this crowd
Tor 10 per cent. of the money it is
darrying."
GLOW ,}n vo,, r,,,..,,oo
"Why, il stopped, Iii ass-ne to kill
or run OFF the chap who does it. ii |
co you pay me nothing. Ill leave
it 10 each man to size up his pile"
"iou must think yourself very
brave and smart man," remarked
one OF the others.
"Oh, no, Fmnot mt all stuck on N.Y.
self. This is n matter of business. |
guarantee to dothus and so. want
you to do the same"
Wechailcd him for while but see
nghow good natured he was, finally
agreed that five were stopped and lie
killed or drove the robbrr off we'd
come down with the per cent. de-
manded. Stages had been robbed on
that route, but we had no fear, and
it had come along to ) o'clock p. III.
and We were about to cross Il creek
running through chaparrul when IL
voice cried "IIalt." and the driver
pulled up.
'E@ad! but here sthc agentr' chuck
led Hastings, who had been doz-
ing for an hour. Remember the
terms, gentlemcn-1O per cent. il
save your boodlc!'
"Throw down Your gum shouted
the voice, and we heard the driver
comply.
Now get down and unhitch your
horses from the stage!''
The driver was swinging himself
down when Hastings opened the right
hand door and jumped out. revolver
in hand. AS tough Il looking chap
as YOU ever saw stood ut the horses
heads, Il double barrcled shotgun in
his hands, and he yelled at Hastings
and he saw him drop. The latter fell
OH his hands and knees, crept swiftly
under the vehicle, used one of the
wheel horses to cover him, and willie
the robber was pecring about to To-
cate him, and at the same time warm
ing us not leave the coach. the Clam
state man rose up and sent II bullet
plumb through the fellows head.
He untorward to finish his work, but
the robber was as dead as herring.
Gents, 10per cent, il you please"
said Rhode Island. as we piled out of
the stage, "and whatever ! find OH
the body is minc.'
He got two revolvcrs. n shotgun,
two gold watches and 81 40 in money,
and We paid Linn about 5000 more.
We felt fiat enough, too | can assure
YOU, as we had been given no show.
Hastings stripped the body, dragged
it out of the road, and took his place
in the coach with the remark:
Hope You gents are perfectly sat
istied with my work. and if you want
to contract for my services the rest
OF the way, III put 'em in ut ) per
cent, which is an extremely low
rate. New York Sun.