The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-03
SHE BEAT HIM OUT.
A CLEVER SCHOOLMA'AM'S ENCOUN-
TER WITH a DESPERADO.
Black Bart, the Notorious Highwayman of
California. Once Net Real American
with Him For Odd Stakes.


with Him For Odd Stakes.
Black Dart, the notorious highwayman
of California. once during his career came
across an American woman who turned the
tables on him very cleverly. Bart was &c
centric, and while holding up the coaches
in the Sierras he did the most unusual
things.
1t happened in the spring OF 1872. North
east OF Sacramento, about p miles, in the
Sierra Nevada mountains, is n deep can
yon, at the head OF which IS beautiful fall
of water known as The Maiden's Tears
The Nevada City trail wound through the
canyon. Near the falls the trail lay across
a fat, open space, with the stream on one
side and piles Of huge powders on the
other.
A coach was crossing the open space. The
guard, on the seat by the side Of the driver,
was doing In the heat OF the sun, and the
driver was struggling TO keep his eyes open.
Inside the coach were seven passenger.
among whom was young woman bound
for Nevada TO teach school She was good
looking and plucky. She had been teach
err four years In the mining districts Of the
west, and she was thoroughly acquainted
with the customs of the rough element In
the midst of which she lived.
The coach bad reached the center of the
open space when the moose Of lasso flung
from among the powders overhead settled
over the shoulders and arms OF the drowsy
ri o,,I t,,t Tho mi linn NJ ayo ha
was hauled 10 the ground. At the same
time deep voice. calling from among the
rocks, ordered the driver to stop the horses
and hold up bis hands The driver obeyed
without protest. The passengers stuck
their heads through the coach doors just in
time to receive an invitation from theyoice
among the rocks TO step down and line up
with their hands over their heads The
order was promptly obeyed. When they
were in line, Black Bart, holding revolver
in one hand aud the lasso in the other,
stepped out from among the powders and
came down to where the coach stood.
After binding the guard securely, he pro
ceeded to relieve the passengers Of their
money and valuables, tossing the plundcr
into big sombrero that he had sat crown
down by the side OF the road. In the peck
cts of one of the passengers he found pack
of playing cards. He threw them with the
rest Of his plumber into his hat. When he
had finished searching the passengers be
said
you can put your hands down now, gen
tlemen. 1t must be kinder awkward stand
in in that position. Pm sorry to put you
e lla. l..4 | hoo 70,
have money, and thought that this would
be pretty good crowd to strike. I'm
kinder ashamed Of myself to put so pretty
a woman as this lady is to somuch trouble"
The highwayman smiled a2oiogeticaliy
on the young schoolteacher, who aston
ished her fellow passengers by smiling back
az the robber and saying:
Don't worry yourself, Bart. 1t was no
inconvenience at all
"You know me-" said Bart inquringly
1--WE heard you described so often that
feel pretty well acquainted with YOU" re-
piled the schoolteacher.
The highwsyman appeared to feel fiat
tered. II admire your spunk," he said.
Most women faint when they see me-
IL never saw man yet that I'd faint
for.n replied the woman, TO the horror OF
her fellow passengers. who were afraid she
would anger Bart and drive him TO some
desperate end. A second or two later they
were stricken dumb with amazement when
she said
Bart. I'll bet you that / can beat you
one deal at stud poker If don't, you may
kiss me. II | do you must let this coach
and its passengers go on with their property
without further trouble. VIII you do it,"
The proposition staggered Bart for an in
slant but he recovered himself, and laugh
ing heartily sald;
"Waal. miss, you beat any woman | ever
came across before. / never kiss woman
unless she's willin, but if you want to take
them chances I'll play you, but | reckon
you've givin me the best Of the bargain"
The woman promptly intimated that she
was really anxious to play for those stakes,
and preparations were made for the game.
II was agreed that the driver should deal
the cards. and Bart insisted that the half
dozen passengers should stand up in row
90 PAGES away, so that he might detect any
attempt ut treachery. The teacher seated
herself on q mail pouch that Bart had
dragged out for that purpose, and WITH his
rife resting across his lap he settled hun
self on one knee short distance from her.
Word was given 10 start the game, ana
the driver threw the first card to Bart face
down. The next card fell at the feet OF the
schoolteacher. Each player was now en-
titled 10 four cards, TO be dealt face up, and
Bart caught the ace Of clubs, while TO the
teacher fell the seven spot OF diamonds.
The bighwayman next caught the five spot
of hearts, and bis face flushed and be
smiled confidently, for the first card dealt
TO him was a five spot and he now held a
uair. The teacher drew the deuce OK dia-
monds. Bart showed his citation when the
next card that fell before him proved 20 be
the five spot Of clubs He now had three
tives. and he was sure the game was his
To the teacher ftll the four spot OF spades.
Her luck was indeed wretched, but she
didn't seem to be the least disconnected ms
she looked over at Bart's pair OF ilves and
then down at her seven spot high. The
last turn came, and the queen Of clubs fell
In front Of Bart, and the seven spot OF
spades was the teachers draw. she had
pair Of seven spots in sight.
Bart smiled. Your luck came late" be
said. Pm afraid you'll lose the kiss, for
here's another five" He turned up the
first card, and it gave him three hyes.
you did well, sir said the teacher,
"but I've got another seven spot here and
I believe three Of these are better than your
fves.p She turned up the 'roll' card, and
sure enough it was u seven spot.
Bart was set back for an instant, but
when he realized that he had been fairly
beaten he smiled, and helping the teacher
IN her ut said: Gentlemen, I've lost a