The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-05-03

Tor the company nigh unto ten years, an
they amt lost q cent by me. II amt a
losiu' bargain for 'em. They've made
me. But then think Of the shamet No,
sir, git up there, boys, we must hurry"
He snapped his long whip in the air
aud urged the horses on into break knock
pace. The rumbling OF tho heavy
wheels soon brought the man back to
his reflective mood.
''But how easily could work the
game, he mused again. tAu' nobody
would be the better for it. Right ahead
In the canyon l could chuck the box in
the hollow, an all would be done.
They'd send out scoutin' parties, but no
body would find it. Then months later
I'd come for IT,"
Once moro the horses slowed down to
a gentle trot, aud the sturdy driver
ddgeted the box with his foot The
spell Of temptation nearly conquered.
The hiding place was near at hand. The
horses stopped as il by instincts; but this
very fact startled the man.
"No, no. What ails mel Git up, ye
brutcs, what are ye stoppin' fort
wasn't goin' to do anything. was only
thinkin' how it might be done. Git
up"
lie was ner vous and excited, glauclng
around him many times.
"Phawp Pm superstitious, he ex-
claimed with laugh. "Who do think
will see me here. There amt nothin' TO
be afraid Of. I'll just stop to quiet my
nerves. Whoa, therel"
The stage-coach came to dead halt.
Ben Tillotson jumped down from his
high seat and walked up to the heads OF
the animals.
"a mighty lonely place. Nobody in
twenty miles of me--and FIVE, six or
seven thousand dollars in gold. Maybe
there's more. Let me sec how heavy the
box is. Ay, but that is heavyl
Shouldn't wonder ef there was more
probably ten thousand dollars--alI gold.
| wonder ef l could lift it. Yes, an'
throw it in the bushes. Easy as can be.
Held up by highwsymen, nice story, two
bullets in tho clothes, and one throu yh
the hat. Hat hal hal I'll try it, yes
mo. Hey-whatl"
A stone rolled down the side of the
canyon wall, and the man looked up ner-
vously. 1t was only grey squirrel, but
the bead like eyes were watching him
intently.
"What am doin'," the man NUT
tered, with the cold perspiration run
ming down his face. "Robbin', stealin'
-an ordinary highwayman. Heavens |
Git up herel Hurry, boys, or I'll go
crazy"
The coach seemed to rush along at
lightning speed. The heavy box fell
back to its original position, but the
drivers hands trembled so thathe could
hardly hold the reins. Down the canyon
horses and driver rolledin cloud Of dust.
The man saw nothing around him, and
the whisperings of his own conscience
shut out every external s)und. The
horses followed the road by instinct, aud
that alone saved the coach from entire
destruction. Faster and faster he urged
the plunging animals forward until the
limit Of their speed was reached. They
rushed sudden curve with their fllnks
reekirg with white foam, and then they
came to standstIll so suddenly that Ben
Tillotson barely retained his seat.
Islands upl Hands up, quickl"
Was he dreaming, or was his brain
turningl Was his mind still dwelling
upon the old idea, or was he held up in
earnestl Mechanically, however, he
raised his hands, and when his befo9ged
brain was clear enough to understand his
position he realizel that heavy Win
chester was staring him in tie face.
"Don't move, old man, or yell die" d"
the masked highwayman said, calmly.
"Ye'se caught this time. Hand over
the box quick. Hands upl
The rifle moved threateningly nearer,
and Ben had nothing to do but obey.
He had never been caught before, and
the thought of delivering his treasure to
a hlghwayman reused all of his latent
cunning aud courage.
''Here ye are. Get hold of it.
must hold the horses"
"Never mind the horses. Shove the
box toward me-"
Ben obeYed. He pushed the bcx
slowly along with his feet. He could
see that the man was green at the busi-
ness, aud he waited for his opportunity.
When the box was close to the highway
man the rifle was lowered for an instant
Ben was within three feet of it, and with
a sudden spring he caught the barrel Of
1t in his left hand.
"Hold up, stranger; have the drop
tins time, he calmly said, producing a
revolver and holding it within foot of
the mau's head.
Courses on We" came from behind the
mask.
"Drop that ride, and hold up your
hands. Drop it, say, or you'll go into
eternity without warniu'."
The man reluctantly obeyed. He
could do nothing else under the circu n
stances.
''Now off with that mask. No; I'll
take it of myself"
The highwayman sought to catch the
mask, but Ben tore it off with Que sweep
of his hand, holding the revolver tight
in his right.
"Harry Somers!" he gasped.
The two men gazed at each other for
several moments. The uncovered high
wayman was pale, and Ben Tillotson
trembled at the sudden revelation. Fne
penalty of such a crime was death, and
the driver would be justified in shooting
his rival without word of warning.
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