Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-01-17

across the north
eastern tier OF counties.
Down this road came rolling, every .
afternoon, the big four-horse stage
coach, bringing passengers and mail
from the south bound for the county
town.
The mail bag for our postoffice
was thrown off from the coach at the
point where our village road joined
the turnpike, and as my father was
postmaster, it was my duty to carry
it from the turnpike to the village
postoffice.
had the choice of two routes for
my daily journey; one by the public
road, and much shorter one which
cut through the woods that bounded
the village on that side, and it vas
along that path that usually car
ried the mail.
We were at that time in the midst
OF the civil war, and the mails we're
filed with tidings from the soldiers
| OF the front, and not intrequently
contained packages of money and
valuables sent in Uncle Sans care,
to those at home.
But the particular afternoon OF
which | write, the stage, for some
reason which cannot new remem-
Der, was very late. watched the
sun as it went down behind the
wooded hills to the west, and | saw
the twilight come creeping across
the eastern field. sat quietly upon
a roadside bank, wishing for the
coming of the stage, and calling to
mind the probable appearance of the
impatient and anxious group at the
postotfice.
But the twilight grew deep and
actual darkness fell around us before
the far-off rumbling of wheels an
nounced the appearance of the be-
lated conveyance. Ihad beendebating
for some time whether | had not bet
ter go home without the mail, for |
was naturally timid, and the pros
pect of the night journey alone
through the woods, even though it
was but short distance, had terrors
for me which / could not subdue. But
| had been reluctant to start on ac-
count of the ridicule which / knew
would follow me from one end of the
route and the disappointment which
would meet me at the other-and
now the stage was here. The horses
were drawn sharply up, the CHATTER
of the wheels ceased, cloud of dust
moved forward and enveloped the
coach, and out from the door in the
midst of the dust stepped two
men, They parleyed a few moments
with the driver about the fare, and
then disappeared in the darkness
had good view of their faces as
went up close to the forward wheel
and saw that both of them, though
well dressed, we're evil-looking in the
extreme.
sis that you, Harmon?" asked the
driver, peering down at me through
the shadows before throwing the
mail pouch into my hands.
eyes" / replied, complainingly
"and I've been waiting here for yor
, just two hours"
well, it won't take you long tt
get home now" he said, cheerily
then, lending down still farther ant
! reckoning me to come still closer, HI
added, in low voice: "You wan
to hang on to that mail bag tonight
Harmon. Its GOT A suddel
|. start OF the horses interrupted him
he swung back into his seat, and
. finding that he could not readil,
quiet the impatient animals, h
cracked his long whip over thei
= heads, shouted out good nightP' t,
me, and the next minute, coach
horses and driver were far down th
= road, swallowed up in the darkness.
y Are We 'fraid to go down alone?'
: asked the farmer, who Lad come on
: to see the stage go by.
''I'll bet a cookie ne is!'' exclaime'
the farmers boy.
mo, amt afraid, " said stoutly
drending ridicule more than robbers
''There won't anything catch me to
night" added flinging the pouc
) across my shoulder and stnrtinI
rapidly down theroad toward home