Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-05-16


lotson, the driver, kept MS insecure seat
as if he was a part of the vehic.e itself,
and with every motion of the coach his
body moved with sinuous gracefuIness.
"Steady now, boys, steady" he
shouted to the double team of pIungin2
horses. "We want to make good time,
but 'twOnt do to smash the company's
coach to pieces. Whoa, nowl We amt
got no load this time, but that amt NJ
reason for bein' reckless. Look out for
the Devils Cut, it's rough there. Ye'lI
stumble yerself. Git up there. tolt
ye So"
He jcrlSei one OF the stumbling horse
to his feet so suddenly that the animal
was scarcely awsre of his fall; but the
speed of the wild, gaIloping team was
checked by the slight mishap.
''Ihat'Il bring yc to your senses If any
thin. Now taEe it eIsier. Don't be
smashin' things to pieces so. YeIl get
enough of it when We reach the level.
Ye're the most determined critters tnat
l ever drew line behind, an ef yc don't
break your necks some day on these
slopes I'm missin my guess. Ell we had
some passengers inside they'd be scared
half out of their wits. But We amt.
No, nothin' but gold, and lots of It."
The driver jerked his head around AMI
looked at the big, square box, which
contained the precious treasure of the
company. 1t was q common looking
box, but strongly rivetei and bound.
1t was close up to the driver SO that lie
could touch it with his feet.
"A mighty big sum-" he mutteret
aloud, San putty responsible load Tor
one man to guard. Thousands of dol
lars, s'posc. II some feilers only knew
it they'd be holdin' me up round here.
1t would be worth the risk. But then
Ben Tillotson has never yet been caught
nappin', an there amt many who would
care to try him. 1t would be dangerous.
Yes, sir, it would"
He tapped his heavy revolyers as he
spoke and glanced defantly around him.
The coach had nearly reached the valley,
md was rolling along at an easier gait.
"Hal hal what an idee," suddenly
laughed Ben loudly. "Hold up myself.
That would be great, right here in this
dark canyon, an then tell 'em a man
robbed the coach. No lie bout that.
They'd believe it, fo= I've always been
60 trustworthy. Well, well. l could
chuck the box into the bushes an como
back for 1t later"
The idea seemed to please the driver,
and he smiled broadly rs he continued tr
fhink OF it.
"There would be plenty of ways out
Of It. The box would never be found
here, an Ben T1llot.on would be rich.
guess then Nandy Duyval wouldn't look
at that Harry Someis no longer. Shed
take mo quicker'n a wink. He's not
good enough for her, but she thinks
everything of him. l never did like his
looks. He comes from some place that
nobody knows anything bout. He's got
q better position than have, an Mandy
thinks more of him for that. How this
money would set me up! could make
splurge that would astonish some Of 'cn.
'Twouldn't be bad, either. I've worked
for the company nigh unto ten years, an
they amt lost cent by me. 1t amt
losin' bargain for 'em. They've made
Inc. But then think of the shamel No,
sir, git up there, boys, we must hurry"
He snapped his long whip in the air
and urged the horses on into break-neck
pace. The rumbling Of the heavy
wheels soon brought the man back to
lis reflective mood.
"But how easily L could work th'
Iame.n1 he mused again, = .'An,, nobody