The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-06-02
that he is entirely innocent 81 any

1
Toss that ere box down here, Dick.
Look sharp"
Dick complies. Will this satisfy
them ?
Sorry, pen'le:ren, but we must take
up collection. Pass the wallets this
way"
Again the long haired poltroon is the
first to respond.
BE in hurry, gentlemen We can I
wait"
L am growing desperate, and have
half.formed resolve to spring upon
one OF them with tho almost certain
result OF being killed. The little old
gentleman, who has held on to his black
bag, now moves slowly up to ono Of
tho mon, and, shutting ono eye, delib.
erately squints into the barrel of his
gun.
We all stare speechless with amaze.
ment at such audacty. Few men would
care to do trick like that with friend
Mt the other end OF the weapon, to say
nothing of one who respects no law but
his own will.
"Well, pop, do you sec the bullet p
the outlaw asks jocularly.
"Oh, no it is rather too dark in
there for that but have no doubt it
is there he answers, smiling pleas
antly.
Right you are, daddy, right you
are and it weighs good ounce too. -
81 see the bore is rihed," taking an
other squint "this gives the projectile
u rotary movement, which keeps it
from turning lengihwiso, and thus re-
duces the resistance attending its pas
sage through the air to minimum.
That ere may be good preachin,
but it won't stop me from shootin' your
head off if you don't be careful"
81 have made q study of gunnery
and explosives" he continued, with.
out needing the interruption. Now
here we have a sphere opening the
grip and taking out ball about the
size Of an apple wrapped in tissue pa.
per. This ball, being dynamite,
thrown or even dropped on the ground.
would blow us all into atoms, stage,
horses, men, everything. tearing hole
in the earth, while its effect would be
felt for quite distance"
During this speech, delivered with
the air OF professor addressing class,
the two road agents grow more and
more uneasy, exchanging glances be-
tokening their dismay. Paddy's mouth
stands open, and the bad man of our
party begins to edge away.
From your occupation, gentlemen,
l judge you are not happy and con-
tented, and your manner of gaining o
livelihood is such as to render others
equally unhappy. In case of this
kind, what is to be done =? Common
sense tells me the best and indeed the
only remedy is to put ON end to the
lives that are burden to you and a
misfortune to others, even If il should
be at sacrifice. For my part I have
always wished to die in . good cause,
which am sure this is, and am conf
dent that all present will agree to the
arrangement. Let us prepare for
eternity"
Thee last words uttered with great
solemnity, lie bares his head and raises
the dreaded bomb as il to dash it to
the earth.
Instead Of preparing for eternity,
however, the fellows utter yells Of ter.
ror, and digging their heels into the
horses sides, urge them with all pos.
sible speed away from the neighbor-
hood of what they believe to be
lunatic possessed of dangerous e1-
plosives.
One bound and secure the revolv.
ers, determined not to submit to being
robbed without struggle. But there
is little cause for apprehending another
attack. The robbers never drew rein
until they reach the ridge of the hill
beyond rifle shot, and then our cham
pion has only to draw bsck. his arm as il
to cast the yellowish ball in that direc-
ton, to cause them to disappear on the
other side
Replacing his hat and slowing tho
curious weapon away in the black bag,
he turns and smiles smisbly upon us. /
wiring his hand and endeavor to express
my gratitude. 30
Tut, tut, man, that was nothing
You would. no doubt, have done tho
same had you been situated as was.
Let us rather think of getting on to-
ward our destination. K
s.Arrah, now, but you're the boy for
me entirely Shure don't know how
ye did it at all, but it's meself believes
yehave Irish blood in your veins" .t
A consultation is held, and it is de-
cided that Pat shall ride beside the,
driver and keep guard with the rifle Dick
always carries with him. Then we ro-
enter the coach and soon are bowling
merrily along.
Presently the saloon proprietor, who
has been quite crestfallen since the ex-
posure of his cowardice. begins to twist
about uneasily, and finally asks in some
trepidation
Say, stranger, is there any chance
of that ere thing goin' off =
"Oh, not the least, not the least |!