The National tribune., 1890-11-06
does this meanP Do


hand side of the coach, when he realized that
tho forward part of the vehicle was settling
down, said:
Now what in - does this meanP Do
they want US all to be robbed right here ?"
And after the stage had stopped and variety
of observations had been made by several of
the other passengers as to their probable fate,
he thrust fuzzy stove pipe hat, red face aud
short neck from under the drop curtain, rolled
the three half round on plane with the sido
of the coach, and remarked:
At about the same time female passenger
on the back seat cried:
Mercy on us !"
And voice outside said
Hello, this is fix. Come, you'll have to
get out"
The fuzzy stovepipe followed the red face
into the coach, and then four persons rose up
and then all sat down again. The cause of this
procedure was twofold First the hats of two
malo passengers, including the fuzzy stove pipe,
also the uncovered head of one female, all struck
against the ceiling overhead. And, secondly,
the weight of the robes and blankets resting
on the knees and limbs of the said five, not
being disengaged sufficiently. reacted rs though
malicionsy disposed to keep them in the coach.
Whether these things really caused the young
lady with yellow ribbons to Teseat herself can
not be determined with accuracy. II may be
that seeing the others 20 down, she thought it
the proper thing SO TO do, and acted accord
ingly; or, it may be, she noticed that the gem
tleman behind her, in the far corner of the
coach, had not risen. and suspecting the pro-
priety OF having risen at all, she so suddenly
went down again. The driver again thrust his
head in at the side with the remark:
Come, Jake. why don't you get out2 It's
rainin' some. Here's two umbrels aud some
ile-cloths for you as 'hant got none"
a 4 Il 4. 81 .
who had thrust one foot out on tho rail in
second effort to extricato himself, proceeded to
grow more and more red, so that by tho time
the driver had rolled up and fastened the cur
tain at the top of the stage IL Tesembled ma
hogany, and there was tromulous motion
about the lips not unlike the vibrating lid OF a
teakettle when boiling.
Rising as nearly erect as circumstances would
permit, he shot forth Il fat. dumpy arm EN-
phatically in the direction Of the driver, and
exclaimed:
10 Little do you take me for a foOl?"
. No, Jake; / don't care what other folks
think" said the driver, quickly - don't take
You for fool take you for your fare"
The large man eyed Joseph sayagely. placed
his remaining foot on tho rail- and took tho
mud at leap; and II then appeared to tho
sharp-featured woman who was getting out
that the large man was exceedingly short
With many apologies 10 this passenger for the
delay, the driver assisted her to alight, and
cscortinR her to dry plat on the roadside left
her fortified with an enormous umbrel."
Meanwhile a smooth faced young man. with
glossy beaver, assisted the yellow ribbons to
alight and immediately spread his elk UNI
brela for her accommodation aud his own.
All Outf" asked Joe. who had taken of his
horses and hitched them 10 n tree.
There stood the five in the mud and tho
drizzlei the remaining passenger, occupying
the rcarmost seat. had not stirred.
Come said the driver. noticing this fact,
and putting his head into the stage again.
Come you'll have 10 get out, Mister, so We
can raise up the ex'. :"
The passenger sat STILL
"Meb'be he's decf," continued Jo appeal
ingly. 10 the other passengers.
"Meb'be he's ono Of the robbers" whispered
| the smooth faced young man.
20, my !" exclaimed yellow ribbons, clutoh-
ing his arm convulsively.
Just then the large man with the short linn BIS,
who with bowed head had been neryously pac-
| ing backward and forward near the coach. came
! 20 halt aud said -" in a very loud and
excited manner. The driver glanced nc that
| parsonage and said, quickly, Now, Jake, hold
| up" But then there burst from tho mahogany
| lips Of that large, short man vOlley of Oatha
| which caused tho entire company outside the
coach 10 stand aghast. II had drizzled before
but tins was Storm-a hurTicaue-the import
| Of IL being that this was plot 10 hold him IN
and rob him, and which did involve All inauiry
we'll sandwiched with oaths aud imprecations "a
10 why - that fool" didn't get out Of the stage
The sharp.featnred woman came forward
and made aH observation.
why, the man is dead, !" said She
And so 10 proved. He sat, or rather leaned
back in the corner, and there was found a snap
catch In his coat collar, which was also fastened
70 the coach.
That gives It up" declared the driver
:" Ye see, that devil who left US at the Junction
pizened this man when he took u drink with
him, then garroted i'm and robbed i'm. III,
war the man no doubt who sawed into tina
| ex' some time last night, and think it likely
If thar had been any moro In the stage h,
thought with rObbin' You wouldn't q beer
sighted go. But 20 see, no war too perlite t,
rob Nance an you new-married folks, an a.
fur Jake, be must knOwed, Jest to look at We
that ye hadn't hardly money enough ter pay
yer fare. Takin' 1t all In all. think he war
very discriminate murderer
After repairs had been made the vehicle wen
On It's way with its occupants, but Jake was no
noticed TO say word thereafter
The dead man was duly buried, and, 80 far n
known, tho other passengers safely reached
their several destinations, and without an,
regrets at having been so mercilessly sighted