The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07

ty minutes, however, there was slight and
somewhat ceremonious busting in the
hall and on the vel anda. and Yuba Bill
and the judge reappeared. The latter was
leading, with some elaboration of manner
and detail, the shapeiy figure of Miss Null
Inns, and Yuba Bill was accompanying her
companion to the buggy. We all rushed
to the windows to get good view of the
mysterious stranger and probable ex-
brigand whose life was now linked with
our lair fellow-passenger. l am afraid,
however, that We all participated in q
certain impression of disappointment and
doubt. Handsome and even cultivated
looking. he assuredly was-young and
vigorous in appearance. But there was
certain haif-shaned, half-defant sug-
gestion in his expression, yet coupled
with watchful lurking uneaslness
which was not pleasant and hardly
becoming in bridegroom-and the pos
SCISSOR of such . bride. But the frank,
joyous. innocent face of Polly Mullins.
respondent with simple, happy con.
fidence, melted our hearts again, and con-
dOned the fellows shortcomings. We
waved our hands; think we would have
given three rousing cheers as they drove
away if the Omnipotent eye Of Yuba Bill
had not been upon US. twas well, for tho
next moment We were summoned to the
presence of that soft-hearted autocrat.
private sitting room. standing before .
table on which there was . decanter and
glasses. AS We filed expectantly into the
room and the door closed behind us, he
cast glance Of hesitating tolerance over
."Gsntlsmen." he said slowly, ..you was
all present at the beginnin' of little game
that you oughter be let at the finish. l
don't see that it's any of your id busi-
ness-so to speak-but ez the Judge here
allows you're all in the secret. I've called
you in to take partin' drink to the health
of Mr.. and Mrs. Charley Byng-ez is now
comfabIy Off on their bridal tower. What
you know or what you suspects of the
young galoot that's married the gal amt
worth shucks to anybody, and wouldn't
give it to yaller pup to play with. but
the judge thinks you ought all to promise
right'here that you'll keep it dark. That's
his opinion, Ez far as my opinion goes,
gentlemen" continued Bill, with greater
blindness and apparent. cordially. Il
wanter simply remark. in keerless. off,
hand gin'ral way, that if ketch any God
forsaken. lop-eared. chucRle-headed blath-
ERIN idjet ARM his opinion -"
''One moment, Bill" interposed Judge
Thompson with grave smile-'1et me
explain. You understand, gentlemen" he
said turning to US. ''the singular, and I
gOod-hearted friend has done so much to
bring to what We hope will be happy
termination. want to give here, as my
professional opinion, that there is nothing
in his request which, in your capacity as
good citizens and law-abiding men, you
may not grant. ! want to tell you, also,
that you are condoning no offense against
the statutes; that there is not particle
of legal evidence before US of the criminal
antecedents of Charles Byng, except that
which has been told you by the innocent
lips Of his betrothed, which the law of tho
land has now sealed forever in the mouth
of his wife, and that our own actual expe-
rience of his acts have been in the main
exculpatory of any previous irregularity-
if not incompatible with it. Briefly, no
judge would charge, no jury convict, on
such evidence: When l add that the
young girl is Of legal age, that there is no
evidence OF any previous undue influence,
but rather Of the reverse, on the part of the
bridegroom, and that / was content, as q
magistrate, to perform the ceremony.
think you will be satisfied to give your
promise. for the sake of the bride, and
drink happy life to them BOTH"
l need not say that We did this cheer
fully, and even extOrted from Bill grunt
of satisfaction. The majority Of the com.
pany, however, who were going with the
through coach to Sacramento, then took
to the veranda, We could see that Miss
Polly Mullins trunks were already trans.
ferred to tho other vehicle under tho pro-
tecting seals and labels Of the all-potent
express company. Then the whip cracked,
the coach rolled away, and the last traces
OF the adventurous young couple disap-
peared in the hanging red dust of its
wheels.
But Yuba Bills grim satisfaction at the
happy issue of the episode seemed to suf-
fer no abatement. He even exceeded his
usual deliberately well-regulated pota.
tions, and. standing comfortably with his
back to the center of the now deserted bar
room, was more than usually loquacious
with the expressman. You see, he said,
Uncle Bill takes hold of > job like this, he
puts it straight through without changin'
HOSES. Yet thar was q moment. young
feller. when thought was stompt! 1t
was when we'd made up our mind to
make that chap tell the gal fust all what
he was! Eff she'd rared or kicked in the
traces, or hung back only ez much ez that.
we'd hev given him jest i've minits' law to
get up and get and leave her, and we'd
hev toted that girl and her fixin's back to
her dad again! But she jest gave a little
scream and start. and then went off inter
Mysteries. right on his buzzum, !aughin'
and cryin' and sayin' that nOthin' should
more cut up than she about it--a mint it
looked as ef he didn't allow to marry her
'arter all, but that passed. and they were
married hard and fast-you betl / reckon
he's had enough OF stayin' out nights to
last him, and eff the valley settlements
hewitt got hold of q very shining member,
at least the foothills have got shut of one
more of the Ramon Martinez gang"
whats that about the Ramon Martinez
gangP" said quiet, potential voice.
Bill turned quickly. 1t was the voice of
the divisional superintendent of the ex-
press cOmpany-a man OF eccentric deter
mination of character, and one Of the few
whom the autocratic Bill recognized as
an equai-who had just entered the bar
room. His dusty pongee cloak and soft hat
indicated that he had that morning arrived
on a round of inspection.
Don't care if do, Bill" he continued.
in response to Bills invitatory gesture,
walking to the bar. Its little raw out
on the road. Well. what were you saying
about Ramon Martinez gang2 You
haven't come across one Of 'em, have
your"
NO" said Bill. with a slight blinking
of his eye, as he SYSTEMATICALLY lifted his
glass to the light.
''And you won't" added the superin.
tendent, leisurely slipping his liquor. For
the fact is the gang is about played out.
Not from want of job now and then, but
from the difficulty of disposing of the re-
suits of their work. Since the new instruc-
tons 10 the agents to identify and trace
all dust and bullion offered to them went
into force, you see, they can't get rid OF
their swag. All the gang are SPOTTED at
the offices, and it costs too much for them
to pay fence or middleman OF good stand
ing Why. all that ftaky river GOLD thew